2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

In 2020, the Jeep Wrangler stayed true to its roots with a design that remained unmistakably rugged. The circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling were iconic, exuding an industrial charm. Jeep added a dash of adventure with exposed hinges and bolts, a fold-down windshield, and removable doors, reinforcing its image as a recreational utility vehicle rather than a mere commuter car. The removable top only added to its versatility.

Inside, Jeep aimed to balance nostalgia with modernity. The retro look, featuring circular climate vents and gauges, embraced the Wrangler's heritage, while ergonomic shortcomings were compensated by a focus on brute utility and style. Trims ranged from the basic Sport with minimal features to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon. The Rubicon was particularly notable for its mechanical upgrades and elevated ride height, thanks to its mud-terrain tires and lifted suspension.

Special editions like the Willys and Willys Sport, and the safari-inspired Black and Tan edition, showcased Jeep's flair for variety. Despite all the versions, each Wrangler retained its core character of rugged charm, ensuring a unique presence on the road.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Defender sought to modernize its classic lineage while retaining a sense of timeless cool. The original Defender's boxy design, round headlamps, and rugged character had evolved. The new model featured half-round LED headlights resembling eyes with eyelids, adding a serious demeanor. The structural grille styling, flat-topped fenders, and floating roof paid homage to its heritage while incorporating modern aesthetics.

The Defender's interior embraced exposed structure, with horizontal beams framing the dash and beefy, rugged controls. Luxury was juxtaposed with robust design elements, ensuring authenticity. The cabin was high-quality, featuring real metal and leather finishes.

While retaining echoes of previous generations, the new Defender boldly stepped into the modern era, blending durability with contemporary design.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking a bit more torque, the turbocharged 4-cylinder delivered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. However, the standout was the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, generating 260 hp and a formidable 442 lb-ft of torque, providing exceptional performance, particularly at lower speeds and for overtaking on highways.

Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler's on-road experience could be rough, with significant road noise and unique blind spots. The steering tended to have some play, adding to the acquired taste of driving a Wrangler. However, it excelled off-road, navigating rocks and ruts with ease, thanks to features like locking front and rear differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar.

Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, better than its gas-powered counterparts. However, the diesel option was an additional expense and not always the most convenient choice.

In comparison, the 2021 Land Rover Defender came with two powertrains for the U.S. market: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup generating 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp was announced for 2022.

The Defender boasted full-time 4WD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and advanced off-road systems like Terrain Response and Terrain Response 2. It impressed with a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for the 3.0-liter engine while maintaining a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

On long highway drives, the Defender was solid and comfortable, and its high seating position provided an excellent view for city driving. It proved adept on dirt roads and farm trails, showcasing its versatility and off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two forms: the standard two-door and the four-door Unlimited. The four-door Unlimited became the more popular choice. The Wrangler's unique feature was its convertible nature, with removable doors, a foldable windshield, and various roof options, including a soft top, hardtop, and the Sky One-Touch roof.

With the rear bench lowered, the Wrangler Unlimited offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than many other SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, its off-road capabilities made it unparalleled in its class.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, featured independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road performance. The Defender 110, with a possible third-row seat, offered flexibility in interior configuration. Cargo space in the Defender varied, with the 90 model providing 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, while the 110 model offered 34.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row.

Both vehicles had their strengths in form and function, with the Wrangler emphasizing convertible utility and the Defender focusing on versatile interior space and comfort.

In 2020, the Jeep Wrangler offered a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the Sport and Sport S trims, featuring Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara introduced a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system added navigation, HD Radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system, elevating the Wrangler's tech offerings.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing remote software updates to 14 modules without dealership visits. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, was standard. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were included, along with multiple USB and 12-volt outlets.

A six-speaker audio system could be upgraded to Meridian sound systems with up to 700 watts. Advanced features like a full-color head-up display and ClearSight rear-view mirror provided additional convenience and luxury.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety equipment, including airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera with a strategic location on the spare tire hub. Optional safety packages added rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning, enhancing safety in various driving conditions.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, though not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, offered an extensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, multiple airbags, electronic traction and stability control, emergency braking, blind-spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid, ensuring comprehensive protection.