2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the more traditional, boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinctive profile, setting it apart from its more upright siblings. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs and optional air suspension provided it with commendable off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive stance. Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 namesake, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the timeless cool of its predecessors while embracing modernity. It featured half-round LED headlights and a grille that appeared structural, reminiscent of a built-in push bar. The Defender's design included callbacks to its heritage, such as flat-topped fenders and a floating roof, while incorporating functional elements like a side-hinged tailgate with a spare tire. Inside, the Defender emphasized exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls. The interior combined toughness with luxury, offering leather-upholstered seating and a digital instrument panel. The Defender's design was both authentic and thoughtfully executed, providing a high-quality feel throughout.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift from being more show than go. It introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. This setup allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, it wasn't the quickest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering faster acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both offering respectable performance. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, though the Velar's single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess compared to other models.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 296 horsepower and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid setup producing 395 horsepower. A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 horsepower was announced for 2022. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It also boasted a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds. The Defender excelled in both highway comfort and city maneuverability, proving its versatility as a modern SUV.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar didn't offer more interior space, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including a chopped roof, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The cockpit-like front seating area added to the cramped feeling, though the tall center console was easily accessible. Towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, offered a spacious and versatile interior. Its independent suspension allowed for various seating configurations, including an optional jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The Defender 110 provided 34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door model offered 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. The Defender's interior was designed for both comfort and functionality, with ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system received praise for its graphics and menu layout but was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though they were prone to reflecting sunlight.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender introduced Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, enabling remote software updates for 14 individual modules. The Defender was the first to use the Pivi Pro system, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with multiple USB and 12-volt outlets. The Defender offered various camera views, including a "transparent hood" view for off-roading. Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to a Meridian sound system with up to 700 watts. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender also lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it came equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, and more. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its capability in challenging conditions.