New Defenders starting to show up at dealers

Nick&Nora

Well-known member
Other than seeing a few going the other direction on highways, I saw my first last weekend in Tucson. The woman driving it made an effort to time arrival at a stoplight so that I'd pull up next to her in my 110. She beamed out the window at us, and said "Nice truck!" We complimented her on the new one and she said, "Yeah, but it's nothing like yours!" I was pleasantly surprised that she knew what I was driving.
 

donb

Well-known member
The local dealer had a full row (I'm guessing at least 20 units) of new Defenders on the lot yesterday when I drove thru (need to find a replacement for my wife's RRS that is off lease soon).

One of the new Defenders in the front of the showroom had a Motor Trend SUV of the Year sticker across the side.


Truck show podcast talks about the new Defender at 44:00 mark. The beginning is actually it's a pretty good listen if you like Land Cruisers at all.
 

erover82

Well-known member
Truck show podcast talks about the new Defender at 44:00 mark.

Puzzling how they claim the old Defender was terrible off-road, particularly relative to a Jeep. I guess if you compare a 1980s design to a 2007+ MY Jeep, but apples to apples there's no way a YJ or TJ makes a convincing case.
 

broncoduecer

Technical Excellence Contributor
They are in the midst of a model year changeover from 20 to 21. I've been offered good discounts on in-stock 20's - $3000 or more.
I was wondering about that, seeing brand new 2020 models on the lot in 2021, seems hard to get top dollar when it’s a year old
 

donb

Well-known member
Puzzling how they claim the old Defender was terrible off-road, particularly relative to a Jeep. I guess if you compare a 1980s design to a 2007+ MY Jeep, but apples to apples there's no way a YJ or TJ makes a convincing case.

That part I didn't agree with what they were saying. Not that I'm a hardcore off roader but I feel the Defender is still pretty good on the trail especially with an axle locker and taller tires.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Saw several in Greenville SC today. Black on Black no handbag was uninspiring.
White with white roof and A pillar just looked like you need to lose the body color A pillar. It visually bad.
Fwiw I’m undercover in a Volvo with Mass plates..
 

acheck

Well-known member
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I actually am kind of fond of this. It is horrible, but it also at least feels now like this is the correct form for the new Defender. Considering the underlying vehicle design, it being dressed up as an overlander or off roader just felt so awkward and contrived. This V8 version is deep down what it really wants to be, and it fits.

And it is 100% unique in the marketplace. There is not a single other 2 door/500hp/still off road capable car out there. It really checks a lot of boxes that nothing else can versus the standard version, which is just boring.
 

KND

Well-known member
View attachment 17831

I actually am kind of fond of this. It is horrible, but it also at least feels now like this is the correct form for the new Defender. Considering the underlying vehicle design, it being dressed up as an overlander or off roader just felt so awkward and contrived. This V8 version is deep down what it really wants to be, and it fits.

And it is 100% unique in the marketplace. There is not a single other 2 door/500hp/still off road capable car out there. It really checks a lot of boxes that nothing else can versus the standard version, which is just boring.

Yep, that's the kind of feeling that my wife expressed when I showed her the video. A two doors, short wheels base, mini square unique SUV, that's exactly her word and what's not to love, lol.

I kinda hold my idea of swapping an engine on D90 NAS V8 for this two door Pretender, Lol. Swapping the engine will cost half of that Pretender in Canadian peso so why not save more and buy a new car instead. Keep classic defender as classic.
 

Angus

Well-known member
There are still a bunch of unsold 2020 models sitting on the dealer lot here even while the 2021s have shown up. Must not be as big of a seller as the dealer lets on.
 
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LR Max

Well-known member
Last I checked a few months ago, LR Charlotte had 1 on the lot and 20 coming in. Their website doesn't have many available, just one base model that hasn't moved.

Overall I'm ok with it. Actually fits in nicely with the idea of having a car that can travel long distances and do trails and travel back, then be useful during the weekday. I don't like the small trunk space and JLRs haphazard package offerings now and inability to add on later. Like rear diff, unless its specified from the factory, can't retrofit. About the same with trailer hitch (I did hear one guy got quoted $3400 to install a trailer hitch on a new D110, but the dealer cut him a deal at $1500, seriously??).
 

LR Max

Well-known member
And that is the issue, next to, say a 200 series cruiser or a Chevy tahoe/Yukon, the trailer hitch is literally part of the chassis...

Oh a car with a chassis, how nice.

If I was pure on road, I wouldn't even remotely consider any of the new rovers. But I know for east coast off roading, they'll be better than anything else.
 

Hhill-hou

New member
32”s I think on 19” wheels for these trucks - both S models 4cyl
I’m probably going to swing by in the 90 tomorrow for a few more pictures and have a look underneath them. if they are still there. Both were sold and custom ordered.
Do you have any feeling for reliability of the 2021 model? I think I read in the Wall Street Journal that the 2020 model year had some trouble with wiring or electronics. I wonder if that is continuing with the new model.
 

AdamSanta85

Well-known member
I've been seeing more on the road around here, more so than Disco 5's. So far I have yet to see a male driving one. It really is an LR5.
 

D901560

Well-known member
I'm starting to see several in my neighborhood. It seems to me like it's mostly people trading in a Range Rover or Disco getting them. I wonder if its attracting new buyers to the brand just people that would have otherwise bought a Land Rover product anyway?
 

rlynch356

Well-known member
Do you have any feeling for reliability of the 2021 model? I think I read in the Wall Street Journal that the 2020 model year had some trouble with wiring or electronics. I wonder if that is continuing with the new model.
Well, the 2020 JD powers report that was just released indicated that Land Rover improved 1 point since 2019... and is still dead last. On FB there have been a number of buy backs of the new defender that have been posted, all seem to be electronics (TCM failure stated in at least 2 of them)...
 
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