Big boi is big - Defender

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 08/12/2020 at 12:04 • Filed to: Things that matter to no one

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One of the things that’s great about the new defender is it’s towing and payload. Its a heavy thing but its got a strong engine, and lots of payload. it can also tow 8201 lbs which I feel like is a lot for something its size. Thanks to adjustable air suspension and 400 hp and 400+ lbs-ft it seems to do really well with the weight. Great news for members of the yacht club!

Speaking of big, we were speaking of big right? I didn’t realize how big it is.

Which is the larger vehicle?

The Defender is longer (3 inches), wider (1 inch), and taller (2-3 inches). 7 inch longer wheelbase as well. I know the Land Cruiser is seen as a goliath in the off-road world , but it’s hardly the biggest kid on the block anymore. A bronco 4 door is almost the exact same size . B igger with the samsquantch package .

Similar power, torque, and towing. Still 500 lbs heavier than the Defender though . Interestingly, the defender has substantially LESS interior volume compared to the smaller Land Cruiser. (78.8 cubic feet behind the first row without the 3rd row option. 69 with the 3rd row option ) vs 82.8 cubic feet with a 3rd row. I would guess the BoF construction leaves more body volume as the body isn’t carrying the structural load and doesn’t need to be as thick.

This is really neither here nor there, but I did find it interesting.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 12:28

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The relative size data is pretty interesting. Having seen the new Defender in the flesh (hate the side warts, BTW) it really doesn’t LOOK that big.

Impressive towing capacity.

newnamesameme > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 12:32

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lol, that Defender gets up to the tunnels towing almost 8k lbs easier than my 2008 Outback drives up there w/just my camping gear in it.

Impressive! Also, i havent seen one in the flesh and i would have 100% guessed that a LC would be teh large vehicle. I didnt realize the Defender is so large. 

HammerheadFistpunch > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 08/12/2020 at 12:32

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Yeah, I think the way they’ve hidden the size is impressive. I think the floating pillars and roof and the black sills mask the height and long wheelbase and short overhangs give the impression of it being a shorter overall vehicle.

HammerheadFistpunch > newnamesameme 08/12/2020 at 12:34

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Yeah, my Land Cruiser would barely make 8 minutes with just me in it.

Svend > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 08/12/2020 at 12:37

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The good thing is after market companies will already be looking how to change the head and tail lights. Also for me, on the five door is that C pillar.

I much prefer the rear section of the van/commercial variant.

newnamesameme > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 12:42

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I look forward to seeing the one guy in CO or UT who will actually be in the back country with one of these.

To their credit there is always at least one (sometimes two) ppl who take their very expensive LR or RRs out there into the wilds of a 4x4 road .

HammerheadFistpunch > newnamesameme 08/12/2020 at 12:45

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There is an interesting set of people who definitely don’t mind smashing up expensive things. I can’t say I respect that, but I will say I enjoy watching it and am glad they are choosing fun.

I honestly don’t think I will see one of these in the backcountry for a few years.  We are seeing 200 series land cruisers left and right but they are all 5-6 years old.

and 100 more > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 12:51

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I’m g enuinely impressed! I assumed it was about the size of a Cherokee.

newnamesameme > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 12:52

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Ah..youre out there more than me so you would know better.

I still am surprised (i dont know why) about how many new Rubicons/Raptors/4x4 Sprinter vans out here that i see. Throw in the 10k mountain bikes or the SxSs they are towing and the money ppl have for their toys exceeds mine by a lot. Or their debt to income ratio, or both. :)

WiscoProud > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 13:18

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I think its more indicative that the Land Cruiser isn’t very big at all. I have a 100 series which has almost the same dimensions. While being taller than many vehicles, they’re the same length as a midsize car. That really adds to the maneuverability, but hurts interior space a lot.

The total luggage volume is pretty similar between the two, with the 200 having 81 CF and the Defender having 78 CF. The way they use that space is very different though. Simply put, the seating in the Defender is significantly more comfortable. I can’t ride comfortably in the back of a 100/200, but easily can in the back of a Defender, which I found surprising. The Defender has 3" more legroom.

The base luggage space is interesting too. Since the third row isn’t easily removable anymore, the “normal” luggage volume is worse than my 100 series. I will say the Defender “trunk” area isn’t as deep as my 100, but its just as wide. I’m seeing some wildly different numbers for the Defender cargo space, but this article says 1,075 liters behind the seats, which converts to 38 cf, which is less than 10% smaller than the 200 (per Toyota’s website).

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/land-rover/defender/sports-utility-vehicle/practicality

If you remove the third row however, the difference is significant. Basically, the Defender prioritizes passenger volume, over cargo volume.

HammerheadFistpunch > WiscoProud 08/12/2020 at 13:25

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Yeah I snagged my defender volume numbers from the Land Rover site. You are right though in that the Defender third row will have depth to the leg area where the cruisers have zero, meaning knees in face. I’ve sat in the back seats of the GX for a few drives and is not terrible, but I wouldn’t want to be back there for more than an hour.

You are dead right about the Land Cruiser being relatively tidy. Its one of the choices they’ve made, especially in the wheelbase. Seems like all these new vehicles are pushing the wheels out which makes for great handling and approach and departure angles but it makes turning and breakover terrible. I’ m always amazed how tight the 80 and gx can turn and maneuver . I would say the 80 is far move maneuverable than the Azera.

Im also finding out that its not that much more expensive to run. I just got 15 mpg in the Azera doing city only. The hell!

I guess I need to pop down to the Land Rover dealer and check them out.

WiscoProud > HammerheadFistpunch 08/12/2020 at 13:33

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I got to climb all over one at a car show and loved it. The passenger space is perfect, like my old LR3, but I wish they had more cargo space. Not much, but a few extra inches of depth would go a long ways.

The rear shoulder room in my 100 is fine for three adults, but if you’re much taller than 5'6" or so, you’re going to be disappointed in the legroom.

The turn radius seems surprisingly similar between them, despite the longer wheelbase, with 19.35' vs. 21' on the Defender.