2022 Land Rover Defender vs. 2021 Jeep Wrangler

Many drivers will compare the 2022 Land Rover Defender vs. 2021 Jeep Wrangler before they choose a model to power their wildest adventure dreams, but the Defender brings a lot more to the table. After all, it doesn’t just offer a more luxurious interior than its Jeep rival. The Defender also delivers more power, much more impressive towing capabilities, and an off-road performance that even Jeep will have a difficult time matching. 

Land Rover Defender vs. Jeep Wrangler: Off-Road Performance

Just about everyone who compares the Land Rover Defender vs. Jeep Wrangler has off-road performance at the top of their mind! Unlike the Wrangler, the Defender is a genuine luxury vehicle, but can it really keep up on the trails? 

In fact, the Defender has little trouble outpacing its rival:

• Ground Clearance (Standard): The Defender and the Wrangler both come standard with coil suspension, but where the Defender offers 8.9 inches of ground clearance, the Wrangler offers just 8.3. 
• Ground Clearance (Optional): The Wrangler Rubicon notches 10.3 inches of ground clearance, but here, Wrangler owners will be using coils to compete against adjustable air suspension. Upper-level Defender SUVs can shift from 8.6 inches to 11.6 inches of ground clearance depending on what the situation demands!

Ground clearance empowers you to surmount obstacles without worrying about your vehicle’s underbelly, but on steep trails and climbs, everything comes down to finding the right angle. The Defender, on the whole, is superior to its rival:

• At its best, the Wrangler can manage Approach, Breakover, and Departure angles of 44.5 degrees, 22.6 degrees, and 37.5 degrees respectively. This allows the Wrangler to excel on the approach.
• However, a Defender with air suspension does much better overall. Its maximum Approach, Breakover, and Departure angles come in at 38 degrees, 28 degrees, and 40 degrees respectively.

Additionally, the Defender can ford water at up to 35.4 inches of depth! With a maximum fording depth of 32.5 inches, the Wrangler falls short once again.

Land Rover Defender vs. Jeep Wrangler: Performance and Capability

The Wrangler is offered with four powertrains, ranging in strength from 285 hp to 470 hp. With a base-maximum horsepower range of 296 hp to 518 hp, the Defender just has more to offer. Check out the 2022 Defender mpg ratings to learn more about its engine lineup.

Raw power is nice for passing on Rumson and Colts Neck highways, but if you’re anything like most Defender drivers, you’re probably more concerned with transporting your favorite outdoor equipment and adventure vehicles! Here, it’s no contest. The Defender offers more than two to four times more capability than the Wrangler:

• Defender Towing Capacity: From 7,716 to 8,201 pounds
• Wrangler Towing Capacity: From 2,000 to 3,500 pounds

Which Will You Choose: Defender or Wrangler? 

Comparing the Land Rover Defender vs. Jeep Wrangler sets you up for success, but now that you’ve seen where the Land Rover wins out, we’d be very surprised if you could settle for the lesser of the two models. Continue your research by exploring the 2022 Land Rover Defender colors or contact us to set up a test drive. Get started today by learning how to shop and buy online!