Two engines are available on the Defender, the base engine is a 2L 4-cylinder turbocharged unit making 296 horsepower. This 4-cylinder engine is powerful enough to get the Defender from 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, quick for an offroader. The only other engine option is an extremely high-tech 6-cylinder engine utilizing a turbocharger as well as a hybrid system to make 395 horsepower from its 3.0 liters of displacement. Land Rover estimates that the bigger engine can get the Defender from 0-60 in just 5.8 seconds. No matter the engine choice, power is sent to all-four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
For 2021 the Defender is offered as a 4-door 110 and as a 2-door 90, both loaded with tons of standard features. The base Defender 110 trim comes standard with all the offroading goodies one might need including a twin-speed transfer box with low and high ranges, electronically controlled air suspension, Land Rover's Terrain response system with selectable modes for various conditions, hill descent control, roll stability control and a low traction launch mode for getting unstuck from sandy or snowy conditions.
In addition, the Defender 110 comes with LED headlights, heated, power folding exterior mirrors, LED taillights, puddle lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch, white painted steel wheels done up in a cool retro style, a leather steering wheel, two-zone climate control, durable rubber cabin flooring, a 3D surround camera, a 10-inch touchscreen and a navigation system.
The new X-Dynamic trim features a hybrid electric motor, 20-inch wheels, two tow hooks, LED front fog lights, leather upholstery, memory settings for the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel, ambient lighting, and an 11-speaker audio system.
Safety features across the lineup include front and rear parking sensors, an active lane departure system, active blind spot warning, forward collision mitigation, rear collision warning, a driver attention alert, and a traffic sign information system.
Retro, Boxy Styling
Fantastic Off-road Capability
Useful Interior Filled With Utility
Luxurious Options
Modern Technology
The Land Rover Defender rolls into 2021 with a few changes, the 2-door trim line up was expanded, a new X-Dynamic trim was added, and standard and optional features get minor changes.
Land Rovers tend to be pretty expensive vehicles, thanks to their heavy emphasis on luxury, but the Defender isn't really a typical Land Rover. The 2021 Defender has a low base price with only the Evoque and the Discovery Sport having a lower price of entry in the lineup. This means that anyone who is really looking to use the utilitarian features and treat the vehicle like the true off-roader it is, will probably be able to afford one. However, the Defender, like most Land Rovers can in fact be ordered with a ton of luxury items. Either way though, buyers will have a vehicle that looks like nothing else on the road, with a presence and cool factor that go a long way towards justifying any price one might pay. The nature of the Defender means it doesn't have many competitors however is does compare to the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
