2021 Jeep Wrangler Comparison vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender will face against the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, a British classic vs an American legend. Both are known for their off-road ruggedness and ability to travel anywhere. The following is a comparison between the two.

2021 Land Rover Defender

Starting Price: $47,125 for the 2021 Land Rover Defender 

Above Average: Available inline-6 engine; rich legacy; accommodates up to seven people; outstanding off-road abilities

Below Average: The design isn’t as iconic as the original Defender, and some of the interior components seem cheap.

Consensus: The Land Rover Defender 2021 keeps its off-roading and agricultural roots while being completely updated to satisfy 21st-century requirements.

2021 Jeep Wrangler

Starting Price for a Jeep Wrangler in 2021: $28,295

Above Average: Winner of the KBB Best Resale Value and 5-Year Cost to Own Awards; new 4xe plug-in hybrid and Rubicon 392 V8 versions, as well as the Xtreme Recon package.

Below Average: Spartan base model with poor on-road manners.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is a pleasing blend of traditional style and genuine off-road capability, as well as contemporary safety, comforts, and technology.

Off-road Icons: Defender vs. Wrangler

Land Rover Defender

Only a few vehicles (such as the Mercedes G-Class, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and Land Cruiser) are designed with this level of off-road capabilities. With a robust unit-body chassis, steel subframes, and independent front and rear suspension, the 2021 Land Rover Defender takes on this challenge.

The base Defender 90 2-door model begins at $46,100, with a $1,025 destination fee, and is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower. The Defender 90 S starts at $49,400 and comes with the same motor but a few extra standard features (power front seats, 19-inch alloy wheels).

The Defender 110 is a four-door SUV that starts at $50,500 for the base model and goes up to $53,800 for the Defender 110 S. Both are powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine used in the Defender 90. A mild-hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged and electric supercharged inline-6 engine with electric aid is available as an option.

The Defender’s interior appears to be minimal and basic, nearly stripped down. Surprisingly, the dashboard has an exposed structural magnesium bar running the length of it. While some of the plastics let us down, this is a no-nonsense cabin that fits the Defender’s tough objective admirably.

The Land Rover Defender we tested, which was fitted with air suspension, felt soft and comfy when it needed to, yet strong and controlled on twisty roads thanks to its sturdy unit-body chassis. This new Defender is far more polished than the old one, which was appealingly antiquated.

Jeep Wrangler

The JL generation of the Jeep Wrangler, which debuted in 2021, is now three years old. It’s still available as a 2-door or a 4-door, which is the more popular and roomier option. For open-air excursions, all models come with a soft top that can be removed (along with the doors). A hardtop is offered as an option.

Wranglers come with four-wheel drive and a choice of engines. A V6 is standard, but customers may also choose from a turbocharged 4-cylinder, a V6 with moderate hybrid assistance, or a fantastically powerful diesel V6 that was introduced last year.

The new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is a limited-edition vehicle with a 6.4-liter SRT-tuned V8 engine that produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to get this Jeep to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

The Wrangler 4xe, a plug-in hybrid Jeep with 21 miles of electric-only range, is also coming for 2021. It will also enable for up to a few hours of silent EV off-road driving, which is intriguing.

Customers will be able to buy a 2022 Wrangler with 4.88:1 final-drive gearing starting in late 2021. This Jeep becomes the first Wrangler to have a best-in-class crawl ratio of 100:1 when fitted with that low gearing and the 6-speed manual transmission.

Similarities

High ground clearance; driving characteristics geared for off-roading; great off-road capability

2021 Land Rover Defender Advantages

There’s a hybrid drivetrain available, as well as a super-smooth inline-6 engine with small front and back overhangs.

2021 Jeep Wrangler Advantages

There are a lot of engine alternatives, including hybrid and diesel engines, and there’s a lot of aftermarket support.

Which is the best option for me?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 are two- and four-door off-road SUVs with a traditional name but a thoroughly contemporary appearance and feel — with genuinely outstanding off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler is available in 2- and 4-door body variants. It’s an off-road-focused SUV with its own history, style, and a powerful set of off-road software.