LANDROVER DEFENDER
Land Rover uses historic design cues, modern technology, and the seemingly unstoppable off-roading capability for which the marque is known to resurrect its legendary Defender SUV for a new era.
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The 2021 Land Rover Defender is offered in two configurations. The Defender 90 is a short-wheelbase 2-door version of the SUV with seating for up to six passengers, which is new for the model year. The Defender 110 is a four-door vehicle with seating for up to seven people and extra cargo space, which launched in mid-2020. Aside from physical and interior room variations, the two Defenders are identical, but this evaluation concentrates on the 90.
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The 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 is available in Base and X-Dynamic trim levels, with S, SE, and HSE options. There's also a First Edition model with additional features, as well as a top-of-the-line Defender X trim. You'll receive a turbocharged 4-cylinder or turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, the latter with standard mild-hybrid technology and an electric supercharger, depending on your choice.
Land Rover offers a variety of extras to enhance the Defender's functionality and ability to fulfill the needs of specific lifestyles, in addition to a variety of colors, materials, and optional equipment.
In the Midsize Premium SUV segment, the Land Rover Defender is a rival. Owners scored the Defender in ten major categories in a single APEAL Study ( https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-us-automotive-performance-execution-and-layout-apeal-study ). Their preferences are listed below in descending order, starting with their favorite aspect of the car and ending with their least favorite.
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Exterior styling
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Driving feel
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Feeling of safety
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Interior design
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Powertrain
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Driving comfort
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Setting up and starting
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Getting in and out
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Infotainment system
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Fuel economy
The Defender rates first out of four Midsize Premium SUVs in the APEAL Study for 2021.
Engines & Suspensions
The Defender is built on a new, all-aluminum vehicle architecture . The Defender's construction, according to the manufacturer, is the stiffest Land Rover has ever built and is three times more torsionally rigid than a standard body-on-frame SUV.
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A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque is standard in the base model. On the road, it delivers adequate performance, claiming to bring the SUV to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. Peak torque is accessible between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm, which is beneficial for both city driving and off-roading.
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A turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder with mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) technology is available on other Defenders. A 48-volt electric supercharger, a belt-integrated starter motor, and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery make up this light-electrification system. The engine produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. According to Land Rover, the Defender can reach 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and tow up to 8,201 pounds when properly outfitted with this engine.
Both engines are connected to a permanent 4-wheel-drive system with a 2-speed transfer case via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Defender comes standard with a locking center differential, and an Active Locking Rear Differential is offered as an option.
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The Defender 90 has up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance, a 38-degree approach angle, a 40-degree departure angle, and a 31-degree breakover angle, and is designed and manufactured to thrive off-road. The spare tire of the SUV is hung from the tailgate door, allowing for a steep departure angle. Furthermore, the suspension's maximum articulation is 19.7 inches. According to Land Rover, this means the Defender will be able to handle 45-degree side slopes and 45-degree inclines with ease.
Terrain Response is a customisable system that comes standard. It changes the drivetrain for certain surface conditions and driving scenarios at the driver's desire. This operation is handled automatically by the Terrain Response 2 system, which incorporates a new Wade program that optimizes all vehicle components for driving through deep water. According to Land Rover, the Defender is capable of crossing 35.4 inches of water. The Defender also comes with Land Rover's All-Terrain Progress Control system, which is a low-speed, off-road cruise control system.
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The Defender is equipped with a four-wheel independent suspension system that includes double wishbones in the front and an integrated link design in the back. Coil springs are standard, with electronic air suspension as an optional feature. Adaptive Dynamics is a feature of the air suspension that allows the driver to change the stiffness and height settings.
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The Defender's suspension, according to Land Rover, provides "world-class durability" and is designed to endure severe, repeated off-road collisions. Despite this, it provides long-distance comfort on pavement and a "engaging and nimble" handling character, thanks to the air suspension and Adaptive Dynamics.
Interior & Comfort
Unless you kneel the SUV on its available air suspension, getting into a Land Rover Defender 90 is difficult. To my wife's endless chagrin and criticism, it lacks grip holds on the windscreen pillars for some reason.
Once everyone is on board, they'll be treated to a Land Rover adventure unlike any other. The Defender's modular interior design is described by the automaker as "constructivist," which implies it is functional, practical, and reductive in nature. Some structural parts, for example, that are normally hidden from view are now clearly evident.
Rubber flooring is easy to clean, although carpeted floor mats are available if you don't plan on dragging mud, sand, or snow into the Defender.
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The Defender 90 has basic seating for up to five passengers. A front-row center seat, known as a "jump seat" by Land Rover, can be added to make the vehicle a six-passenger vehicle. This is a unique characteristic that has never been seen before. It does take up some storage room in the Defender, but when not in use, you can fold the middle backrest down to access a couple of cupholders and a shallow storage tray.
The outboard front seats were really comfy and supportive, with a great perspective of the road and our surroundings. The jump seat is tiny and has little legroom, making it only ideal for short distance travel.
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If you frequently transport rear-seat passengers, the Defender 110 is the better option because powering the 90's front seats forward to make enough space takes a long time. Plus, putting people into the rear seat of the car is a pain in congested parking lots. The rear seat, on the other hand, is surprisingly spacious, and passengers sit up high with panoramic views to the sides. The safari-style windows in the roof let in additional light, making the back seat even more inviting.
With a big glove box, a full-width dashboard shelf, and ample door panel storage bins, the Defender has plenty of room.
Pivi Pro Infotainment System
The 2021 Defender has Land Rover's latest Pivi Pro infotainment system. It's a big step up from the company's previous InControl technology, with a more user-friendly interface, faster loading and reaction times, and over-the-air software updates.
Highlights of Pivi Pro include:
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10-inch touchscreen display
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Bluetooth connection supports two devices at once
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Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring
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Satellite and HD Radio
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Remote connected services
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Online Pack with unlimited data plan
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Wi-Fi ready (connectivity requires a paid subscription)
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Wireless smartphone charger with signal booster
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Depending on specification, upgrades include a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a ClearSight Rear View camera (included with front middle jump seat option), and a water-resistant and shock-proof Activity Key. Owners wear the Activity Key on their wrist, and it allows them to leave their key fob and smartphone inside the Defender while engaging in active lifestyle activities.
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A reversing camera, forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance, and a blind-spot detection system with rear cross-traffic warning are all standard on every 2021 Defender 90. The cruise control has a speed limiter, and parking-assist sensors in the front and rear assist in parking the SUV.
The test vehicle did not have adaptive cruise control, which is an option. If you're towing a trailer, the Advanced Tow Assist technology, which is a semi-autonomous steering system for reversing with a trailer attached to the Defender, is a must-have.
Regardless of whether you want adaptive cruise control or not, I strongly advise you to acquire every camera-based improvement available, including the rear camera mirror. The back visibility is awful.
Cargo & Towing Capacity
The Defender 90 is the smaller of the two Defender SUVs, with 15.6 cubic feet of room behind the conventional 40/20/40 split-folding back seat. This is the amount of space you'll find in a normal family sedan, measured from the floor to the ceiling. With the back seat folded down, you may get 58.3 cubic feet of room. Of course, depending on whether the Defender includes a front middle jump seat, passenger capacity will be reduced to two or three persons. The lack of cargo room behind the back seat is frustrating, but it's to be expected in a vehicle this short. If you require extra space, the Defender 110 provides at least 34 cubes depending on the seating layout, cubes behind the rear seat and a maximum of 78.8 cubic feet​​
