2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass but drew design inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The Renegade received a subtle refresh in 2019, and for 2021, these design changes continued, with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin design with an upright center stack, making controls easily accessible. It offered various trims and special editions, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender echoed the vibe of its predecessors 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, and short overhangs front and rear gave it a planted look. Inside, the Defender's theme of exposed structure was prominent, with a dash held between horizontal beams and exposed Allen-head bolts securing the door panels. 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 Jeep Renegade came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded engine was a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder unit, making 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines used a nine-speed automatic transmission, with power routed to either front-wheel drive (FWD) or available four-wheel drive (4WD). The turbocharged engine provided added motivation with its extra torque and was more refined under hard acceleration. Despite some transmission issues, the Renegade had a solid ride quality, was maneuverable in tight spaces, and offered a terrain management system with various drive modes. The Trailhawk trim, with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and off-road suspension, was particularly capable off-road.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S. The base powertrain was a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The next option was 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. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. On the road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. These specs were above average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Renegade's tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space for adults in the rear seats. It featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold completely forward for added space.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform, making extensive use of 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's interior configuration included the option of a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat for two in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The Defender 110 offered 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 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on some mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both touchscreens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock with icons for major functions. Both screens also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Kenwood premium audio system available.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. It featured the new 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, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view using the 3D surround-camera system. The audio system could be upgraded to 10 or 14 speakers, with Meridian sound systems available. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard across the lineup, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were available as options. Despite these features, the Renegade received only four out of five stars in crash tests from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. However, it came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags with a passenger seat occupant monitor, a tire pressure monitoring system, 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, ensuring its safety and reliability.