The Land Rover Defender has a mere 6-year history in the U.S. market, starting and ending in the mid 1990s. Yet Land Rover’s boxy and capable off-road SUV retains a die-hard fan base anxious to experience the all-new 2020 Land Rover Defender. For these fans the long wait is over — the new Defender has arrived (albeit later than expected, like so many other things this year…). Now comes the hard part for the premium British brand — ensuring its all-new SUV lives up to the legendary status established by the original Land Rover Defender.
Despite its brief U.S. history, the Defender nameplate has existed for over 70 years, with a well-established history of climbing over tough obstacles on every continent. Land Rover says the breadth of the Defender’s appeal ranges from its iconic design to its legendary capability to its enduring durability. The automaker says the 2020 Defender maintains those traits, with a specific focus on off-road prowess, on-road refinement and advanced connected technology (that last one probably wasn’t a focus when the Defender debuted in 1948, but times change
For its off-road component, the 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 boasts impressive specs, including the ability to wade through water over 35 inches deep and scale gradients up to 45 degrees. The standard air suspension allows for articulation up to 19.7 inches and 11.5 inches of ground clearance, while the new exterior design provides a 38-degree approach angle and 40-degree departure angle. Land Rover says these specs are better than anything available except the Jeep Wrangler’s approach angle because of the Jeeps tiny bumpers. The automaker also says the 2020 Defender is the most off-road capable vehicle it has ever produced. It’s worth noting that these numbers pertain to the four-door Defender 110. Starting in late 2020 a two-door Defender 90 model also arrived.
Power for the new Defender comes from one of two engine choices. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo 4 making 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful supercharged and turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, offering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, is available on base models and comes standard on high trim Defenders. Both engines send power through an 8-speed automatic, then on to the two-speed transfer case and the standard all-wheel-drive system.
The automaker claims a 5.8-second zero-to-60 time for a Defender 110 with the V6 engine, and based on our driving experience that sounds about right. Throttle response and acceleration leave nothing to be desired, despite the Defenders 5,700-pound curb weight. That’s due in part to an integrated 48-volt motor-generator creating supercharger boost at low rpm and a wide torque band. This not only improves acceleration but contributes to the Defender’s 8,200-pound tow rating. Thanks to the new Defender’s relatively sleek (given its shape) 0.38 coefficient of drag, wind noise is minimal at highway speeds. Sadly, the low coefficient of drag doesn’t translate to high fuel efficiency, with combined ratings ranging between 18 and 19 mpg for both the 4- and 6-cylinder engines.
If you can afford the Land Rover Defender’s fuel bill your passenger and cargo options are both substantial and diverse. Seating configurations for 5, 6, or 7 occupants are offered through a third-row option on 110 models and a front-row center jump seat. The roomy, upright interior design offers a structural, utilitarian theme accented by both durable and premium materials (particularly on higher trim Defenders). Options range from the functional (roof rack, rubberized floor mats, 120-volt power outlet) to the frivolous (matte black hood decals, custom illuminated door sill plates). The personalization options are nearly endless.
Features worth noting include the 700-watt Meridian audio system, smart cruise control and the exterior camera/radar/ultrasonic sensor system that makes off-roading (and parking) much easier. For the 2020 Land Rover Defender the company has introduced a new infotainment system called “PIVI”, featuring all-new hardware and software developed with QNX (aka Blackberry). This system uses a 10-inch touchscreen and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is supposed to provide easier access to primary features, though we still struggled to find some features and the system’s response times sometimes lagged input.
Additional standard features include 18-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, a wireless phone charging pad, keyless entry, lane-keeping and blind-spot assist. Land Rover says the Defender’s driver assistance features are more capable than any other model it produces. Our test vehicle during the off-road portion of the launch event was a Defender SE with standard 20-inch alloy wheels, the “Clearsight” rear view camera and optional Terrain Response 2 system. Optional locking center and rear differentials, in addition to the two-speed transfer case, allow for a wide range of settings to tackle a wide range of off-pavement or inclement weather conditions.
Our time driving the Land Rover Defender included scaling steep sand dunes and crawling over deep ruts, with moments when only two of the Defender’s four wheels were in contact with Mother Earth. The British SUV handled all of these circumstances with confidence, confirming Land Rover not only understands the Defender’s iconic nature but was willing to put in the engineering effort to reflect that nature through today’s latest off-road technology. More impressive is the Defender’s ability combine off-road prowess with on-road refinement befitting a premium-brand SUV.
How Much Does the Land Rover Defender Cost?
Pricing for the 2020 Land Rover Defender starts at $49,900 and goes up to $80,900, while 2021 pricing ranges from $46,100 (for a base two-door model) to $83,000 for a top-line Defender Dynamic X four-door version. New standard equipment for 2021 includes Sirius XM, rear traffic monitor and clear exit monitor (warns of approaching vehicles when exiting the vehicle), while a folding fabric roof becomes optional.
While it’s easy to spend over $80,000 on a Land Rover Defender, we think the $65,500 Defender X-Dynamic SE, with the standard 3.0-liter engine, upgraded Meridian audio, 12-way power seats, exterior cameras and Wade Sensing technology has everything you really need. We might spring for the Pangea Green or Tasman Blue metallic paint, for an extra $710, and spend another $200 for the blacked-out roof pillars. If you want or need the third-row seat (with two seat belts) that’s another $2,200. And maybe another $200 for the contrasting dash in White Powder Coat. Finally, the $1,850 Towing Pack seems like a good investment to get the configurable Terrain Response 2 system, plus Advanced Tow Assist tech and a Tow Hitch Receiver. The $125 Cabin Air Ionization with PM2.5 Filter also seems like a fair price for that feature. And if you live in a congested area, or just want an easier highway driving experience, $1,200 gets you smart cruise control.
All those features ring in at just under $75,000. At that price you’re getting a highly capable on-road and off-road SUV with an exceptional audio system, 7-passenger seating and the ability to tow over $8,000 pounds. If the question is, “Has the new Land Rover Defender lived up to it’s iconic reputation?” the answer is a clear and definitive “Yes!”
