The Land Rover Defender has been cast as forbidden fruit for a lot of off-road enthusiasts. There was a brief moment in the 1990s when Land Rover officially sold them in the U.S., but crash test standards quickly put an end to importation. Either despite — or because of — its rarity, the Defender has enjoyed cult-like status here. Now it's been reborn with the arrival of the 2020 Defender. But will the faithful like this kinder, gentler Defender?
Underpinned by a new chassis, the 2020 Defender is meant to compete in the new world of rugged but luxurious SUVs. The styling is more rounded and smoothed over and is missing some of the brawny, no-nonsense utilitarian looks of its forebear. But short overhangs and an impressive maximum ground clearance of 11.5 inches hints at the Defender's off-road capability. The new Defender is initially available as a four-door, and a two-door model will be available for the 2021 model year.
The midsize luxury SUV class is full of strong offerings from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Many of these models offer packages to enhance off-road capability, but the new Land Rover Defender looks to be unmatched in this regard. Its modern technology and ample luxury should also satisfy. We think this newest incarnation of an icon is worth a look.
Edmunds' Expert RatingThe 2020 Land Rover Defender is offered in six trim levels: base, S, SE, HSE, First Edition and X. Land Rover initially said both the four-door Defender 110 and two-door Defender 90 would be available. However, a pandemic-related delay pushed the Defender 90's debut to the 2021 model year. All 2020 Defenders are the 110.
2020 Land Rover Defender
2020 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is the undisputed off-road champion of SUVs, and the Defender will have to be immensely capable to keep up with the Jeep over a challenging trail. Yet the Defender has just as much heritage as the Jeep, but it offers luxury and comfort the Wrangler can't hope to match even in its most expensive trim level.
In the realm of continent exploring SUVs, only the Land Cruiser has a similar iconic track record of capability and longevity. But Toyota has allowed the Land Cruiser to grow old, as well as expensive, and many younger buyers might not be attracted to the Toyota when it doesn't look, or feel, anywhere near as modern as the new Defender. The Defender's smaller footprint makes it more nimble in tighter off-road situations.
The G-Class seems like an unlikely competitor to the Defender, but it's one of the only luxury SUVs with any degree of true off-road prowess. It also has enormous luxury cachet and an almost unmatched street presence. But for buyers who can't swing the G-Class' eye-watering price yet still want something stylish and rugged, the Defender looks to be an excellent option.
Land Rover's extensive lineup of SUVs is growing with the arrival of the 2020 Land Rover Defender, what the company is calling its most capable vehicle yet. The larger Defender 110 variant goes on sale in the spring followed by the smaller Defender 90 in summer. Prices start at $50,925 for the 110 and $66,125 for the special First Edition 90, including destination charges. Base-level 90 trims arrive later in the fall and will start in the low $50,000s.
The Defender's competition depends somewhat on if you go for the 90 or the 110, and how you intend to use it. For off-road and adventure fans, we'd consider the Jeep Wrangler its primary rival. More luxury rivals are the Lexus LX or GX SUVs and even the Mercedes-Benz G-Class if you're more of an urban explorer. Other Land Rover and Jeep models represent alternatives, as does the forthcoming Ford Bronco.
There are two engine choices. The Defender 110 comes with the base P300 engine: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (296 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque), which Land Rover estimates will get the vehicle to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. Shoppers can opt for the P400 mild hybrid powertrain (395 hp, 406 lb-ft) made up of a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder paired with a 48-volt electrical system that is fed by lithium-ion battery packs, which also power an electric supercharger. It should hit 60 mph in only 5.8 seconds. The Defender 90 is only offered with the P400 engine.
There are six trim levels to choose from: Standard, S, SE, HSE, First Edition and the top-of-the-line X.
The Defender 110 seats five passengers as standard. You can add a pair of third-row seats to increase capacity to seven. The Defender has an optional front center seat that allows three people to sit in the front row. Cargo capacity for the 110 behind its second row maxes out at 34 cubic feet, or 10.7 cubes behind the optional third row. Maximum cargo capacity is listed at 78.8 cubic feet.
Land Rover Defenders are automotive icons thanks to their unapologetically utilitarian looks and all-terrain capabilities. There was a brief moment in the 1990s when Land Rover officially sold them in the U.S., but crash-test standards quickly put an end to importation. Either despite — or because of — its rarity, the Defender has enjoyed cult-like status here.
Edmunds saysThe 2020 Land Rover Defender has all the makings of a serious off-road vehicle, just as its storied predecessor. This second generation, however, is considerably more appealing and comfortable for everyday use compared to the bare-bones original. The interior is more in line with contemporary SUVs, offering similar creature comforts with a rugged appearance. With a choice of two wheelbases, two engines, six trim levels and numerous customization options, it's very likely that there's a Defender to match your particular desires. We're also quick to point out that the Defender looks quite a bit more substantial in person than it appears in photos.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Land Rover Defender:
The least-expensive 2020 Land Rover Defender is the 2020 Land Rover Defender P400 110 SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $62,250.
Other versions include:
