2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

In 2020, the Jeep Wrangler was an unmistakable presence on the road, thanks to its iconic design elements such as circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and its boxy styling. The Wrangler stood out not just because of its rugged exterior but also due to features like its fold-down windshield and removable doors. This gave it an industrial look, emphasized further by the exposed hinges and bolts. Additionally, the Jeep's removable top added to its adventurous "recreational utility vehicle" image, rather than that of a typical commuter car.

Inside, Jeep had gone to great lengths to maintain a fresh cabin ambiance. The Wrangler Unlimited's interior wasn't like the smooth, flowing designs found in most modern crossovers. Instead, it embraced a retro aesthetic, complete with circular climate vents and gauges. This approach turned its ergonomic limitations into a showcase of rugged utility wrapped in a stylish package.

The Wrangler Unlimited offered various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and the off-road powerhouse Rubicon. The base Sport trim, while basic with its USB port, 5-inch touchscreen, and manual windows, highlighted the Wrangler's rugged spirit. The Sport S added some creature comforts like power windows, locks, and air conditioning, making it a more practical choice for daily commuting. Options like the Technology Package and Cold Weather Group enhanced the convenience further with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and heated seats.

The Sahara trim aimed for a more upscale feel with body-color fender flares, 18-inch alloy wheels, and bigger brakes. It incorporated the Technology Package's features and added options like leather seating and a hardtop with an interior headliner for reduced road noise. The Rubicon was the pinnacle of the lineup, easily identified by its higher ride height, robust off-road suspension, and specialized hood. Special editions like the Willys, Willys Sport, and Black and Tan further diversified the Wrangler's persona, demonstrating Jeep's mastery in utilizing a singular shape to create a lineup full of distinct characters.

On the other hand, the 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the venerable boxy design that had long been synonymous with rugged off-roading. This aesthetic appeal had been missing since the discontinuation of the LR4 in 2016. The Defender's squared-off edges, elevated roof at the rear, ample glass, round headlights, and short overhangs equipped with skid plates made it instantly recognizable. It was a vehicle steeped in tradition, much like a classic Burberry trench coat—designed for utility, not showiness.

Building a box was straightforward, but detailing it was where the designers' skills shone. The Defender retained nostalgic features like step plates on the front fenders, a ladder on the back hatch, and "alpine lights" near the roof's edges, all of which put functionality first. These features have been updated for modern use though, such as the plastic step plates and foldable ladder that can handle over 200 pounds.

The rear taillights were modernized into rounded rectangles, aligned vertically in a black bar connecting the tailgate glass, providing a nod to the old design while slimming the current model. The external spare tire and unique tailgate that opens horizontally added to its old-school charm, while modern features like mudflaps, snorkels, steel wheels, and customizable roof paint options kept it contemporary.

Inside, the Defender opted for a basic, industrial design. Cloth was the standard material, with leather available as an option. Features like the stubby shifter, exposed aluminum bar across the dash, and simplified controls were practical. Modern touches included a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system nestled in a spacious dash and a secondary display for essential off-road metrics. Despite its price, the Defender's interior felt more akin to a commercial vehicle than a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, boasting 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, and an 8-speed automatic was also available for this engine, which was the sole option for other engine choices. The Wrangler also offered a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produced 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine that generated 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. This engine offered noticeable improvements in both highway acceleration and low-speed performance due to its substantial torque. However, its engine shutoff feature was abrupt, though a cancel button was conveniently located on the dash.

The Wrangler Unlimited was noisy on highways, akin to a truck, with unique blind spots and a steering wheel that tended to wander. This made the Wrangler's on-road performance an acquired taste. Nevertheless, its off-road capabilities were exceptional. The Jeep could effortlessly tackle rocks and ruts, thanks to features like locking front and rear differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for increased wheel travel. These attributes made the Wrangler a beast off-road, even if it compromised comfort for such capability.

Fuel economy for the new diesel engine was relatively good, offering 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 combined. These figures were better than the gas-powered 4-cylinder, which managed just 21 mpg city and 22 highway. However, the diesel engine carried a steep $4,000 premium, and diesel fuel was not available at every gas station.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, provided a smooth and plush driving experience, no matter the surface. It featured a standard air suspension system that skillfully absorbed bumps and ruts. The optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine produced 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. This mild hybrid engine used an electric-powered turbocharger to eliminate lag and deliver consistent power, though it wouldn't coast with the engine off like some competitors.

The Defender's throttle was gradual and long, fitting for off-road escapades, but it became sprightly in sport mode. Despite its luxury features, the Defender retained a truck-like feel with heavy steering, significant body lean, and brakes that required more pressure. An optional electronic locking rear differential with torque vectoring helped improve its cornering, but the vehicle still handled like older SUVs.

The base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine produced a respectable 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Although this engine lacked a hybrid assist, it was best suited for the smaller two-door Defender 90.

Off-road, the Defender excelled with its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension. The setup enabled the vehicle to tackle various terrains—rocky trails, steep gradients, and even water obstacles. The Defender could conquer angles up to 38 degrees and wade through water up to three feet deep.

Fuel economy, unfortunately, was not detailed but was likely less of a consideration for a vehicle so focused on performance and adventure capabilities.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door (Unlimited) configurations. The four-door Unlimited version was the more popular model, offering more practicality and cargo space. The Wrangler stood out for its removable doors, foldable windshield, and adjustable roof options. The base soft top allowed for partial or full retraction, and the hardtops provided added protection from the elements. The Jeep also introduced the Sky One-Touch roof for an easy, retractable option.

Cargo space in the Wrangler Unlimited, with the rear bench folded flat, measured about 72 cubic feet. Although this was less than other, more comfortable SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it was sufficient for an off-road-focused vehicle like the Wrangler.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, prioritized durability and functionality over luxury. The Defender 90, expected in 2021, was a unique two-door SUV featuring an optional jump seat that allowed it to seat six people in a pinch. The four-door Defender 110 offered more options, including a third-row seat for up to seven passengers, though you couldn't combine the front jump seat with the third-row configuration.

Interior space was ample in both the two-door and four-door models. The two-door 90 provided 16 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, which increased to 58 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 79 cubic feet with the second row folded. With all rows in use, the third-row-equipped models offered only 11 cubic feet behind the third row but expanded to 69 cubic feet when all rows were folded.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler featured a range of infotainment systems depending on the trim. The Sport and Sport S boasted a basic 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Higher trims like the Rubicon and Sahara came with a 7-inch Uconnect system that included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sahara and Rubicon could also be upgraded to an 8.4-inch Uconnect system, incorporating navigation, HD Radio, and real-time traffic updates, as well as a robust Alpine audio system.

Pioneering in technology, the 2020 Land Rover Defender introduced the Pivi Pro infotainment system, which represented a significant improvement over previous systems. It featured dual SIM cards to handle streaming data and software updates. The new 10-inch touchscreen interface offered a user-friendly experience, albeit with some minor interface issues.

Off-road capabilities were supported by advanced tech, including front cameras that showed the ground beneath the hood, side cameras for obstacle avoidance, and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. The standard 12-inch digital instrument panel provided full-screen maps and essential vehicle metrics. Optional features like a head-up display, 4G WiFi, and removable tablets for rear passengers added further convenience and modernity.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a cleverly placed backup camera. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning, making it a safer option for daily driving.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had yet to be rated by U.S. crash testing agencies. It came with six airbags and standard safety features like forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. Additional safety features like rear cross-traffic alerts were available as options.