2021 Land Rover Defender in-depth review – NEW engines already!? | What Car?

Watch our 2021 Land Rover Defender in-depth review to find out how good this British 4x4 is both on and off road, if it's really worthy of the hype – and why are there new engines already!?




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Video chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:51 Interior
3:11 Infotainment
3:39 Storage
4:14 Tailgate
4:52 Rear seats
5:12 Third row
5:45 Defender 90
6:39 Engines and performance
7:12 New engines
9:25 Offroad
10:06 Pricing
10:28 Trim levels
10:40 CO2 emissions
10:56 Depreciation
11:08 Reliability
11:21 Summary
11:49 Outro

[menifo]

A great, comprehensive and LIVE review. One I didn't fall asleep half way in it. Why don't we see more of this reviewer?

[jwhe]

We bought one recently, 2021 model. We've owned Mercs, Audis etc – and this blows them away, even from an on-road perspective. Off-road it's extremely capable, which we use every few days venturing into the wilderness of New Mexico (mud, rock, sand, snow). We'll see about reliability over time, but it feels very well built. And, at least in the States, they're holding value and attract a lot of interest.

[guinnessharvey]

I find a bit tedious when everyone always bangs on about “these cars never get used off-road, the closes they’ll get to a field of the summer fete, etc” yes, but when does a Ferrari get a chance to do 200mph. Does it ever get on a track? No, it cruises around the shitty roads of England like every other car. Just review the car.

[grahamavis]

Great no nonsense video and will be watching more as they are posted. Thank you. (Range Rover Sport driver)

[firefox]

I saw the wellies, and got instantly excited ;*

[g-mang-man]

I'm reading of misfire issues, and cylinder imbalance codes....almost always caused by compression difference between cylinders. Maybe ring or valve seat problems. I'm thinking issues with the "low tension" piston rings to help fuel mileage

[mr.slipperman]

I am looking to buy P400e but I am concerned about 2.0L engine. At dealership they told me to stay away from 2.0L engine in Defender because its too heavy and 2.0L engine struggles too much. What is your opinion?

[garyquinlan]

We have had the situation for more than 30 years now where Japanese brands like Toyota have been the benchmark for quality of components and assembly. The question that begs then is why st least for the last decade have Euro and American brands not been able to produce more reliable products.

As good as this Defender seems, I doubt you will see many in outback Australia where Toyota and Nissan rule the tracks. In some areas, the Land Rover and Jeep products will be over 1000km away from the nearest authorised dealer and maybe weeks waiting for a part to arrive from Sydney, Melbourne or overseas.

Just imagine a 110 with the same reliability as a Landcruiser. What a vehicle that would be.

[yeahman]

Can you please clarify more trunk space than a Jeep wrangler? You must be referring to a 2 door and not the 4 door Unlimited

[VickersDoorter]

Cobham - Twinned with Henley-on-Thames. I should know, I've lived in both.

[nickrubberboot]

Great review. What a pity that we don't see you driving this Land Rover wearing the rubberboots as shown on the photo!

[marklynn]

Did you drive same defender on the off road course? The one you are showing in this video does NOT have the optional rear locking differential. That will make a big difference in going up those steep wet grades. The p400 engine is amazing. Turns the Defender into a proper road car with the air suspension. As far as off road going SUV’s it’s in a class of it’s’ own. The only word to describe a Wranglers on road performance is adequate. Off road it’s a beast, but if you have one car in your stable, the Defender is a superior all rounder...

[kevinmorley]

Yes, but does it have the same legendary durability and reliability that all other previous Land Rover and known for ?
Special L R anti corrosion. ( pisses oil from every gasket. )
Special L R gas saving module. ( won’t start when rains )
Will it be an electrical nightmare. (. Keeps the L R technicians employed )
80 or so computer modules (. What could go wrong ? ).

[AndySV]

"hard plastics on a lot of the dashboard" *touches the magnesium alloy cross beam*

[thezanzibarbarian]

Good review, bar one silly point. I used to have a Mitsubishi Delica. That had a large vertical opening tailgate. The first thing you know to do in vehicles like that, is how to park in car parks if you need need to open the tailgate. You'd never park if someone could park right up behind you and prevent you getting into the rear.

[ForeverRed]

Thanks for this video. I'm about to buy my p300 on Tuesday. Trading in my jeep wrangler Rubicon. Can't wait for the snow. From North of Toronto, Canada. Cheers

[russky]

Great for Tesco & generally getting in the way...

[petervautmans]

tested the car and decided to stay with my 2009 discovery 3, wich has 220k kilometers: 7 seats, much roomier, adequately big doors, air suspention, more then adequate for the offroading i do at the farm and a perfect towcar for my 3.5 ton 4 horse trailer.

[shaneweightman]

At the back quarter side profile it looks like a Nissan Cube or mini estate

[winglow]

Such a wonderfully designed and beautiful car but not once in 9 different RR’s have we ever kept for even a full year - pity really the Wranglers and
Land cruisers were around 3-4 years.