The 2020 Land Rover Defender is a return to the U.S. for the boxy off-roader that helped start it all. This time with far more creature comforts.
Pros Back in the USA Boxy profile Upgraded interior Legendary capability Two body styles
Cons Turbo-4 for the big Defender 110? Pricey off-roader Odd looks at the rear Interior comfort is a question Pricey off-roader Odd looks at the rear Interior comfort is a question
Fully redesigned after many decades.Much more comfort and refinement.Lots of customization options.Part of the second Defender generation introduced for 2020.
Pros Strong off-road capabilities Numerous customization options High-tech safety and off-road features
Cons Not as tough-looking as the original
Land Rover reopens the book on one of its most iconic nameplates with the all-new 2020 Defender. Its boxy shape and retro details combine with design language found on modern Land Rovers to create an appearance that's both sophisticated and nostalgic. While the 2020 Defender looks like an ordinary crossover, it has serious off-road capabilities and rugged equipment that help it live up to its go-anywhere heritage.
With its rugged body-on-frame construction, heavy duty hardware and new-age technology that enable it to crawl over obstacles, the Prado is not for pretenders. To be fair, the Prado is far from rudimentary. It feels solid on the road at highway speeds and around town, although you quickly learn to take roundabouts a little more gingerly because of the tendency for big, tall and heavy 4WDs like this to lean in corners. The new engine is a worthwhile freshen-up for the Prado but doesn't suddenly transform the vehicle.
Likes New diesel engine is more refined Long range due to better economy and 150L tanks Genuine off-road ability
Dislikes Towing capacity unchanged at 2500kg The price is high, especially on top end models Interior design starting to look a little dated
Cast an eye over the SUV market and you’ll see very few truly off-road capable vehicles. One of them is the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, and here we’ve got the most capable Prado of all, the top-shelf Kakadu.The LandCruiser Prado Kakadu is a very good off-the-shelf off-roader, with its blend of both tradi-tional and modern off-road equipment. With decent all-terrain or mud-terrain tyres (which nearly all standard SUVs would need) we reckon the Kakadu could go just about anywhere.
Likes Rear axle articulation KDSS system Crawl control
Dislikes Lack of power and torque Over-bonnet vision No height-adjustable front suspension
