2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

Ford had been teasing the public with the new Bronco since 2004 when it unveiled the Bronco Concept vehicle. Excitement grew even more with the release of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a compact crossover SUV based on the Ford Escape platform, featuring standard all-wheel drive and adventure-friendly styling. The original Ford Bronco, which debuted in 1966 and was produced through five generations until 1996, built a solid reputation for off-road capability and remains a sought-after vehicle for customization.

The new Ford Bronco drew inspiration from the original model, much like the current Ford Mustang finds its roots in the classic car. Designers employed a "Retrofuturism" approach, updating the classic design with modern technology, powertrains, materials, and details. The Bronco featured a single-piece grille flanked by round headlights, bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, and removable off-road sights on the hood. It came in two-door and four-door configurations, with various wheel and tire options, and offered a choice between a black soft-top or a modular removable hardtop. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with modern technology, including a color touchscreen and a digitized instrument cluster.

The original Land Rover Series I emerged in 1948, inspired by the Willys Jeep seen during World War II. The Series II followed in 1958, the Series III in 1971, and the Land Rover 90 and 110 in 1983. The Defender name was first used in 1990, and Land Rover continued building the original Defender with minor changes until January 2016, though it was only sold in the U.S. from 1993 to 1997. The Defender line had a distinctive look and character, with round headlamps, diamond plate surfaces, and a box-shaped cabin.

The new Defender aimed to echo the vibe of previous generations while bringing the SUV into the modern era. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, flat-topped fenders, and a floating roof. The spare tire was mounted on the side-hinged tailgate. The Defender's interior emphasized exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams, exposed bolts, and beefy controls. The leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious, and the digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were crisp and clean. The interior felt authentic, high-quality, and thoughtfully designed.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which was also optional for the 2.3-liter. All Bronco models featured standard four-wheel drive (4WD).

During a test drive in Holly, Michigan, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road capabilities in challenging conditions, including mud, slick rock, and treacherous trails. On pavement and dirt roads, the Bronco drove like an off-road truck, with the 35-inch tires from the Sasquatch package providing a noisy, somewhat wiggly ride. The 2.7-liter engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth power and responsiveness. Off-road, the Bronco handled various terrain conditions with ease, offering great traction, balance, and fun driving experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. Terrain Response 2 was optional, adding automatic and advanced settings. Locking center and active locking rear differentials were available as off-road add-ons.

The Defender's performance on the road was impressive, with the 2.0-liter engine achieving 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter engine in 5.8 seconds. The Defender had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. During a test drive, the Defender 110 with the 3.0-liter mild-hybrid powertrain demonstrated rock-solid stability and comfort on highways, and ease of maneuverability in city driving. While the test did not include rocky obstacles, the Defender's off-road capabilities were evident on dirt roads and farm trails.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's designers and engineers made excellent use of market research, looking at the competition, aftermarket, and classic Bronco owners' modifications. They focused on modularity, making the doors removable and frameless, with dedicated protective storage bags and easy-to-use electrical connections. The Bronco featured standard protection under the chassis, removable fenders and bumpers, and a one-piece front grille for easy replacement. The hood had trail sights for managing roof-mounted cargo, and the interior included smartly placed switches for suspension settings and auxiliary equipment.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. The Defender's four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension enhanced both on-road and off-road performance. The interior offered flexible seating configurations, including a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110. Luggage space behind the second row on the 110 was 34-34.6 cubic feet, and 15.6 cubic feet on the 90. The three-door model had 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, while the 110 had 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the G.O.A.T. system (Go Over Any Terrain) with up to seven drive modes, depending on the trim level. The Bronco used Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment interface with an 8-inch standard touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch touchscreen with the High Package. The Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system, voice-activated touchscreen navigation, and a wireless device charging pad. Push-button start was standard, with proximity key entry available in higher trims. The Sasquatch Package included position-sensitive Bilstein shock absorbers for increased off-road capability.

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

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered safety features in packages, with more features available in higher trims. The Base model included airbags, while the Big Bend and Black Diamond trims could add the Mid Package, which included a reverse sensing system, Ford Co-Pilot 360, blind-spot information system, lane-keeping system, auto high-beam headlamps, and a rear-view camera. The High Package added a 360-degree camera, forward-sensing system, and side-view mirror LED approach lamps. The Bronco included side curtain airbags that deployed appropriately in off-roading situations.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags with a passenger seat occupant monitor, tire pressure monitoring system, rear ISOFIX system for child safety seats, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing during its development.