Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender a Good SUV? 6 Pros and 5 Cons

Last appearing stateside the year George Clooney killed the Batman film franchise (before Christian Bale revived it and Ben Affleck nearly killed it again), the Land Rover Defender rises once more to defend its title as an icon of off-roading with premium appointments. Despite having made its big bow way back in November 2019, the all-new Defender had to fight through a pandemic to get here.

Related: 2021 Land Rover Defender Review: Tough Luxe

Was it worth the wait? We’ve now been able to evaluate both the four-door 110 as well as the two-door 90 variants from the 2020 and 2021 model years, respectively. And for those willing and/or able to pony up the $66,000 to $72,000 for the models we tested, the modern-day interpretation of this old-school off-roader may just suit the needs of rock crawlers and urban dwellers alike — but, make no mistake, Land Rover lovers and lifestyle chasers, there will be compromises.

For our full take, be sure to check out Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley’s comprehensive critique via the related link above. But for a rapid-fire rundown of the things we’ll stand up for about the Defender, as well as those that are indefensible, read on.

Here are six things we like, and five not so much, about the 2021 Land Rover Defender:

Things We Like

1. It Gets Going

The four-door Defender’s 3.0-liter six-cylinder delivers a respectable 395 horsepower and a robust 406 pounds-feet of torque. The combination is greater than the sum of its specs, as the Defender manages to move its considerable mass off the line like the center just snapped the ball and there’s a hole in the line straight to the QB.

2. Quick Shifting

The Defender’s eight-speed automatic transmission downshifts eagerly at highway speeds, making most passing maneuvers as simple as a calf extension on your light day in the gym.

3. Surprisingly Agile

Light, precise steering response enables the Defender to maneuver around the SUV sloppiness one might encounter in others of its size.

4. At See Level

The tall front seating position affords a commanding forward view, ensuring the person behind the wheel can plan ahead while taking advantage of all those aforementioned performance perks.

5. A Lot to Stow For

Clever, convenient stuff-stashing spaces include a cabin-spanning recessed dashboard face, large door pockets and an open storage area where the center console meets the dash.

6. Intuitive Technology

The Defender’s single 10-inch dash-mounted touchscreen with physical climate controls positioned just below it make for easy operation. Land Rover’s Pivi Pro multimedia system boasts intuitive, vividly rendered menus and navigation.

Things We Don’t Like

1. Hindsight Not Exactly 20/20

Forward visibility might be good, but broad B-pillars and the full-size spare tire mounted on the swing gate conspire to compromise over-the-shoulder and rear visibility, respectively. In other words: Spring for that available rearview camera mirror that displays a live feed of what’s behind the SUV, eliminating at least one of the blind spots.

2. Backseat Put-Down

“The two-row Defender 110’s 40/20/40-split backseat also uses an older folding design that’s surprising to see in an all-new vehicle: Rather than simply folding the backrest to extend the cargo floor, you must first flip the seat cushion forward to get a flat floor,” Hanley laments in his review. “It also takes a lot of effort to restore the heavy seatbacks to their upright position.”

3. Comfort Compromised From the Jump

The Defender can have an available front jump seat if you’re good with gaining passenger space at the expense of console storage. That said, the uncomfortable seating position may make a middle passenger want to jump out of the jump seat. They’re also right in front of the center dashboard controls, which could make the driver wish it was an ejector seat.

4. Fewer Doors, Less Cargo Space

In the two-door Defender, cargo space behind the backseat is stingy and the seat doesn’t fold flat with the cargo floor. Pack light.

5. A Swing and a Miss

The Defender’s rear swing gate is fine when you’re off-roading in wide-open spaces, but it can make things tricky when you’re parallel parked back in the city and just trying to get your groceries up to your apartment before your Chunky Monkey melts.

More From Cars.com:

• Land Rover Defender: Is the Three-Row Version Any Good?
• 2021 Land Rover Defender 90: The Bench-Seat Blues
• 2020 Land Rover Defender: Born Again in the USA
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2021 Land Rover Defender?
• Shop for a Land Rover Defender

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