The 2020 Land Rover Defender is one of the hottest SUVs on the market. The original Defender much like the Jeep Wrangler, started it’s life as a military vehicle before being adapted for road use. Now, after 60 plus years, in this SUV crazed market, Land Rover felt it was time to redesign the Defender. Starting at $65,000 Canadian, the four door model is both obtainable and aspirational. By comparison a Jeep Wrangler can be loaded up with options to reach an astonishing sum of $65,000 Canadian, while the new Hellcat powered version will push the price even higher. Land Rover specifically aimed to redesign its new Defender with the purpose of competing with other offroaders. Let us find out if they do the brand justice.
From the exterior this vehicle looks the part. While some of the new Land Rover models may have appeared soft around the edges (We’re looking at you Velar and Disco Sport), the Defender is a true return to form. The front facia looks tough and there’s no huge gaping front grill. The bumper looks like it is made of metal and can take a beating off-road. The wheels have Union Jacks on the tire air caps, a subtle touch which we absolutely love. The rear end of the Defender is truly unique with a familiar yet modern reminder of the vehicle's lineage. The indented tail lights are magnificent and it would be surprising if competing brands did not attempt to knock off the design in the near future).
The vehicle's rugged good looks continue with the interior. We were fortunate that our test vehicle was an HSE model with a full leather interior, heated / cooled seats and the Meridian audio system. The interior materials are fantastic, in contrast with most new Land Rover products, there is an absence of leather and wood veneer, replaced with durable rubberized materials throughout the cabin. There are no carpets of any kind in the Defender, as the floor is designed to be hosed out after accumulating mud, sand or snow when off-roading. Our guess is that this feature will be most beneficial after a busy carpool run. The center console is brilliantly layed out, all the essential buttons are large and very easy to use with a glove hand. The infotainment screen has crystal clear graphics with a truly enjoyable aesthetics and functionality.
Having recently tested the Range Rover Sport for an entire week, it is safe to say the drive was not particularly enjoyable. It was difficult to see exactly what they were going for. Was it an offroader, a luxury car or a performance vehicle? With the Defender, we felt the drive was in line with the character of the vehicle. It felt like a truck, with its high seating position, large windows and great visibility. The on road feel is smooth enough while not feeling like it is trying to be something it isn’t. Power delivery from the 3.0 L 6 cylinder and 8-speed transmission is smooth but not excessive. The truck gets up to speed with ease and I would be very curious to have a go with the 4 cylinder model. My intuition is that it will produce a dieselesque feel to the dive. The handling is what one might expect from a large SUV and it will not be confused with a sports car.
After spending a day with the Icon I felt this vehicle lived up to the hype and will be able to satisfy die hard fans while also being able to attract new buyers to Land Rover. Would I buy one myself? Quality has always been the black mark when it comes to JLR products (Jaguar Land Rover). A few prominent Youtubers have already had some well documented issues with their trucks since they were launched. Long term with its off-road running gear and air suspension, the repair bills could accumulate at an alarming rate. Even with such a fantastic entry price point, potential buyers should be budgeting for trips to the dealer and repairs bills. If I were designing this type of vehicle, I would have ditched the air suspension in favor of a more traditional set up. I would not want to be stuck at the Dakar waiting for a repair man! I think they could have made some more logical mechanical choices to ensure that this truck is as tough as it looks. I might consider leasing the Defender but I would not plan on having it past its factory warranty.
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