![]() It steers with a light touch, and steering response is direct and precise. Nimble, Tooĭespite its size, the Defender doesn’t drive like a big SUV it’s easy to maneuver and place where you want. Both engines have better estimated fuel economy than the Lexus GX 460, another off-road-capable luxury SUV, which is powered by a 301-hp V-8 and rated 15/19/16 mpg. The mild-hybrid drivetrain makes about 100 hp more than the base four-cylinder and gets slightly better estimated gas mileage: It’s EPA-rated 17/22/19 mpg city/highway/combined versus the base engine’s 17/20/18 mpg rating. Full-throttle kickdowns take a bit longer, however. The transmission is also responsive press the gas pedal halfway down for more power when cruising on the highway and it immediately kicks down. The automatic makes the most of the inline-six’s considerable power, and it never felt like it was in the wrong gear. ![]() While it doesn’t have the kind of forceful high-speed passing power the Range Rover’s available supercharged V-8 produces, it’s still swift.Ģ020 Land Rover Defender | photo by Christian Lantryīoth the mild-hybrid inline-six and the standard turbo four-cylinder pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. It incorporates an electrically driven supercharger that increases boost pressure at low engine rpm, resulting in 406 pounds-feet of torque from 2,000 rpm. The six-cylinder’s 395-horsepower rating is nothing to sneeze at, but it feels like there’s even more power under the Defender’s hood the engine delivers effortless acceleration that belies this SUV’s considerable bulk. The four-door Defender is a big, heavy vehicle that’s as tall and wide as some full-size SUVs. We’re looking forward to testing the Defender off-road in the future, but for now this review covers what it’s like as a daily driver. We weren’t able to test the Defender off-road, but judging by the number of Land Rovers we see cruising around Chicago and its suburbs, the urban jungle is as natural a Land Rover habitat as an actual jungle. The as-tested price of our SE version was $72,180, while the First Edition’s as-tested price was $66,475 (prices include a $1,350 destination charge). We also spent some time in a 2021 two-door First Edition. Our primary test vehicle was a 2020 four-door SE trim level with the optional mild-hybrid drivetrain, which features an inline-six-cylinder engine that’s both turbocharged and supercharged. The Defender is offered in two-door (90) and four-door (110) form. Related: Land Rover Defender: Is the 3-Row Version Any Good? for the 1997 model year, “Defender” is a legendary Land Rover nameplate that has embodied capability much the same way as Jeep’s “Wrangler.” More expensive than Land Rover’s entry-luxury compact SUVs but not as pricey as the brand’s family of Range Rover models, the Defender sits alongside the Discovery in Land Rover’s lineup. It’s also surprisingly nimble and refined on the street, though its design emphasizes ruggedness over traditional luxury cues. ![]() Versus the competition: For a mid-size luxury SUV, the Defender’s claimed off-road capabilities - including a 35.4-inch wading depth - are considerable. The verdict: The Defender delivers modern Land Rover SUV qualities, like impressive power and extensive off-road technology, in a distinctive shape that plays off the past.
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