2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender paid homage to its storied lineage, which began with the original Land Rover Series I in 1948. The Defender's design retained the iconic round headlamps, flat hood, and boxy cabin, all of which contributed to its timeless appeal. The new Defender, however, modernized these elements with half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and composite cladding with a diamond-plate pattern. The vehicle's short overhangs and bold "DEFENDER" nameplate added to its rugged yet refined appearance. Inside, the 2021 model featured an exposed structure theme, with a dash held between horizontal beams, beefy controls, and luxury-comfortable leather seating. The digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were seamlessly integrated, enhancing the vehicle's high-quality and thoughtfully designed interior.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender maintained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, visually tying it to the original version. While the exterior design remained largely unchanged, the 2022 model offered a thoroughly modern look with rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. The interior was more spacious and ergonomic compared to the original Defender, with generous headroom and legroom. The rugged character was emphasized through bare metal and exposed screws, along with a mix of leather and suede upholstery. The 2022 model's interior design balanced functionality and luxury, making it suitable for both off-road adventures and everyday use.

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 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All 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 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 model in 5.8 seconds. The vehicle also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender introduced a new 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, capable of getting the Defender 90 from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. This engine joined the carryover 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrains. The V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its power, the V8 model felt less poised than the six-cylinder version. The Defender remained comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were bolstered by a 4WD system with low range, good approach and departure angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance.

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 vehicle featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered a jump seat between the front seats for three-across seating and a third-row seat for two in the long-wheelbase 110 model. 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 its first row.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 offered two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a sizable center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates to 14 individual modules. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. 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. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. The user interface was well-designed, but the touchscreen required a firm touch to respond.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS but came with an extensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, ISOFIX system for child 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, including front and rear recovery points capable of withstanding up to 10 tons of pull.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist tech such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. Like the 2021 model, the 2022 Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, which is common for luxury vehicles.