2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Range Rover Sport, built on a legacy that began in 2005, remained in its second generation since 2014, with a notable refresh in 2018 that carried through to 2021. The refresh introduced the now-iconic dual-screen center console, a hallmark of modern Land Rover interiors. By 2020, it included a plug-in hybrid variant and the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Range Rover Sport was available in seven trims: SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition. Even the base SE trim was laden with features like leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Meridian premium sound system, a WiFi hotspot, and the dual-screen infotainment setup compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The upper trims offered increasing levels of luxury and performance. The HSE Silver added quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system. The HSE Dynamic took a sportier turn with a supercharged V8 engine, a limited-slip differential, and a two-speed transfer case. The Autobiography added ultimate luxury with 22-way power-adjustable front seats and power soft-close doors. Performance enthusiasts would lean towards the SVR with its high-output V8, performance seats, and stiffer suspension, further accentuated in the SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and 22-inch alloy wheels.

In contrast, the Defender, whose lineage started with the Land Rover Series I in 1948, preserved its rugged charm while stepping into modernity. The Defender’s design lineage evolved through Series II, III, and finally to the Defender name in 1990. The latest model echoed design cues from its predecessors, such as the round headlamps with a modern half-round LED look, flat-topped fenders, fender flares, and a floating roof, while boasting a functional and serious demeanor.

The new Defender featured distinctive elements like the structural grille, composite cladded fenders with diamond-plate patterns, and a spare tire mounted on the side-hinged tailgate. Its short front and rear overhangs enhanced its robust and capable look.

Inside, the Defender combined rugged and upscale vibes. The dashboard appeared to be supported by horizontal beams and included exposed Allen-head bolts on the doors, beefy controls, and a sturdy steering wheel. The seats, though rugged-looking, were very comfortable luxury seating, with authentic high-quality materials throughout. The digital instrument panel and the securely mounted center touchscreen interface highlighted its modern tech approach.

Land Rover offered an array of powertrains for the Range Rover Sport. The base P360 mild-hybrid setup combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, delivering 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, featured in the SE and SE Silver Edition trims. The HST variant saw an improved version, the P400, pushing out 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.

For the HSE Silver Edition, there were also plug-in hybrid and diesel options. The P400e plug-in hybrid paired a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with electric assist, producing 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offered 254 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Notably, this plug-in hybrid powertrain was also available on the Autobiography trim.

The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier SVR and SVR Carbon Edition models received an enhanced version of this engine, cranking out 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The Range Rover Sport also boasted height-adjustable air suspension and the Terrain Response system for various driving conditions. Except for the SVR (towing capacity of 6,613 pounds), other models could tow up to 7,716 pounds.

The new Defender offered two powertrain choices for the U.S. market. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. There was also a more robust turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, offering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 horsepower was anticipated for the 2022 model.

Like the Range Rover Sport, the Defender utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with Terrain Response. The optional Terrain Response 2 added advanced settings for automatic adjustments. The Defender's off-road credentials were notable, with attributes like a 30.1-degree approach angle, a 37.6-degree departure angle, a maximum ascent/descent gradient of 45 degrees, and a maximum side slope traverse gradient of 45 degrees. Ground clearance ranged from 8.5 to 11.5 inches, and it could wade through water up to 35.4 inches deep.

On-road performance was also commendable, with the 2.0-liter version hitting 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model achieving the same sprint in 5.8 seconds. The Defender could tow up to 8,200 pounds and had a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. The 3.0-liter mild-hybrid powertrain provided very comfortable and confident driving, be it on highways or city streets, and even impressed on dirt roads and farm trails.

The Range Rover Sport offered a maximum cargo capacity of 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. While the cargo capacity was practical, other models offered more space.

Seating configurations included an optional third-row seat, increasing passenger capacity from five to seven. However, with the third row in use, cargo space shrank to 10.8 cubic feet, suitable only for short trips or minimal luggage. Both first and second-row seating offered ample legroom and headroom, delivering a luxurious experience. The third row, however, was quite snug, ideal only for children.

The Defender, now based on a unibody platform shared with other Land Rover models, leveraged aluminum extensively for reduced weight and enhanced strength. Its four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension ensured superior on-road and off-road performance.

The Defender offered versatile seating configurations. A jump seat could be added between the front seats for three-across seating. The long-wheelbase 110 model provided optional third-row seats, though our test vehicle was missing them. This arrangement provided 20.5 inches of legroom in the third row.

Cargo capacity was impressive in the Defender. The 110 model offered 34-34.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door 90 model provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats, ensuring practical and flexible cargo management.

The Range Rover Sport’s interior technology was centered around a dual-screen console system. The lower screen managed climate controls and vehicle settings, while the upper screen handled the infotainment system. Despite being modern, the system was criticized for its counter-intuitive interface and the bugs in earlier models.

However, the system featured multifunctional dials on the lower screen to manage fan speed, temperature, seat settings, and off-road dynamics. The upper touchscreen had simplified layouts with sizable icons, facilitating transitions between menus and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A tactile volume button was conveniently located at the base of the lower screen, though the overall infotainment experience was slightly cumbersome.

The Defender integrated Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing over-the-air software updates for 14 modules without needing a dealership visit. It came standard with a WiFi connection, with the option for service upgrades.

The Defender featured Land Rover's new Pivi Pro system with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard connectivity included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, supplemented by an array of USB and 12-volt outlets. The innovative 3D surround-camera system provided multiple views, including a "transparent hood" view beneficial for off-roading.

Standard audio was a six-speaker setup, with upgrades available to 10 or 14 speakers with a subwoofer. Meridian sound systems offered up to 700 watts of power in the top-tier setup, while a full-color head-up display and the ClearSight rear-view mirror added convenience and advanced functionality.

The Range Rover Sport came with a suite of standard driver assistance features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional, unlike some cheaper non-luxury vehicles where these features were standard.

Other available safety features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist. The optional head-up display added another layer of safety info.

Although crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS were not available for the 2021 Land Rover Defender, it boasted a robust suite of safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags with passenger occupancy sensors, tire pressure monitoring, rear ISOFIX for child seats, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, ABS, 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 was subjected to rigorous durability testing across harsh climates and challenging conditions, ensuring its capability and safety under demanding scenarios.