Is the Land Rover Defender 90 Good at Off-Roading?

Jane Lu
· 4 min read
Jeep and Ford have both made splashes in the off-road world recently. Jeep has introduced the Wrangler 4xe, and will offer more trim levels and paint options. Ford went all out with the introduction of the rejuvenated Bronco, which saw many accolades from off-road enthusiasts and critics alike. 
Now, Land Rover is joining the fray. Land Rover has released the Defender 90, and it’s definitely catching a lot of attention.
Critics had a lot of praise for the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90.

The Land Rover Defender 90 is new for 2021

Land Rover, part of the British Jaguar-Land Rover brand, has been synonymous with capable off-road vehicles for decades. The Land Rover touts boxy, bold styling along with a luxury feel that enthusiasts love. 
The Land Rover Defender 90 is the younger sibling, so to speak, of the Defender 110. While the Defender 110 is a family SUV, the Defender 90 is the two-door version. It was released in 2021, and while it might still be somewhat hard to find, it’s well worth looking into.
For decades, the Jeep Wrangler offered the only two-door off-road capable SUVs on the market. According to
Forbes
, while there was a time when two-door SUVs were all the rage, they went by the wayside. Until Ford introduced the Bronco not long ago, the Jeep Wrangler was the sole two-door SUV on the market. 
Even then, the four-door Jeep Wrangler model outpaced sales of the two-door model decisively, as reported by Forbes. 
That begs the question: why did automakers go back to the two-door models? The Defender 90 is the perfect answer to that.
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What did critics think of the Defender 90?

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Autoblog
tested out the Defender 90’s off-road capabilities. The vehicle that they used was completely stock, with no modifications. This meant they couldn't tackle some of the more technical obstacles, but the reviewer had almost nothing but good things to say about how well the Defender 90 handled. 
The shorter wheelbase made it quick and responsive, and it was able to take narrower trails. It did well in places where a longer wheelbase vehicle might have been high-centered. The Defender 90 was able to handle mud, sand, and rock without hesitation.
As an off-roader, Autoblog said it’s better than both the Wrangler and the Bronco. It’s just as capable, if not more so, but the interior is far more comfortable than either of its competitors. With a starting price of $46,100, it's not much more than a Wrangler or Bronco with one of the higher-tier trim levels. 
The downside of the short wheelbase became obvious fairly quickly, though. While it is quick and responsive, the suspension is firm; Autoblog called it "tippy" and "erratic" on certain trails.
Even so, it performed well in the off-road testing, and Autoblog thinks it might be the best of the three two-door SUV contenders.

The Defender 90 is a great all-around SUV

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Forbes pointed out something else in its evaluation of the Defender 90. 
The Defender 90 is a full 17 inches shorter than its four-door sibling, the Defender 110. Most of that length lost was from the cargo area, so the cabin is just as roomy even though it has a shorter wheelbase. 
That means that the Defender 90 is actually shorter than a Honda Civic sedan. It can navigate crowded city streets and parking lots even better than some small cars. Because it sits so high, the driver can also see a bit better and maneuver a little easier in close quarters. 
Whether you want to take it off-road or on the city streets, the Defender 90 is worth looking into. While availability is still low, the Defender 90 should start to hit dealerships stateside soon. 
While you're looking for a new ride, whether you'll be off-roading or not,
Jerry
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