2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and rugged capability, drawing from its origins as a vehicle favored by British landowners. Introduced in 1969, the Range Rover combined luxury with robust 4x4 underpinnings, a hallmark that defined the brand. By 2020, the Range Rover offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10-inch screens. Optional features enhanced comfort and entertainment, with offerings like heated rear seats and a 19-speaker Meridian audio system.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the timeless appeal of its predecessors while embracing modernity. The new Defender featured half-round LED headlights and a structural grille, maintaining a serious appearance. Its design included callbacks like flat-topped fenders and a floating roof, with functional elements like a side-hinged tailgate carrying the spare tire. Inside, the Defender showcased an exposed structure theme, with a digital instrument panel and a center touchscreen. The interior combined ruggedness with luxury, offering authentic materials and a thoughtfully designed layout. The Defender's fit and finish were first-rate, with a bold yet tasteful "DEFENDER" nameplate.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse selection of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid powertrain combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with electric motors, offering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an electric range of 19 miles. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover excelled in comfort and off-road capability, featuring an electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System with multiple drive modes.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp was announced for 2022. All Defenders used 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 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. The Defender had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. It excelled in both highway comfort and city maneuverability, with a high seating position providing excellent road visibility.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: LWB and SWB, with standard seating for five. The optional second-row captain’s chairs reduced seating to four but enhanced comfort, especially in the LWB version. The SWB model provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 34.5 cubic feet with them up. The LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet of total cargo space. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, facilitating easy loading and tailgating. The center-console compartment was convenient, and both front and rear doors had decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with other Land Rover models, using aluminum for weight reduction and strength. It featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible interior configurations, including a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110. The Defender 110 provided 34-34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door model had 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate, seat settings, and Terrain Response. Integrated dials in the lower screen changed functions based on the menu. The system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, but a volume knob was included. The Range Rover also had a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing remote software updates for 14 modules. The Defender introduced the Pivi Pro system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view for off-roading. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 700 watts. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover had a solid list of standard safety features, some competitors offered more as standard.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included 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, and more. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its capability in harsh conditions.