2021 Ford Bronco vs 2020 Land Rover Defender 

After a hiatus spanning two decades, the next-generation Ford Bronco is set to hit Ford dealerships in early 2021, tailing the U.S. return of the Land Rover Defender. For us, this matchup is hitting all the right chords for a nostalgic comparison. The last time these two SUVs were available to U.S. consumers, the world was a very different place. Bill Clinton was getting ready for his second presidential term, eBay had just started its online auction and shopping website, the first Nintendo 64 game consoles were hitting households and Tamagotchis were becoming all the rage among the nation’s youth. Times sure have changed and so have both of these off-road icons, so let’s get to it. Join us as we explore which SUV provides the best value for your investment in our matchup of the 2021 Ford Bronco and the 2020 Land Rover Defender.

Which Off-Roader Best Conquers Tough Terrain? 

The table shows the Land Rover Defender packs more beefed-up engines, but the 2021 Ford Bronco proves a nimbler off-roader with superior approach, breakover and departure angles (not to mention a far more attractive starting price). It’s pretty much a wash for ground clearance with the Bronco hoisted up to 11.6 inches and the Land Rover Defender hanging just a fraction of an inch under.

The Bronco also gets locking front and rear differentials and a front electronic sway-bar disconnect for maximum traction and articulation. The Land Rover Defender chooses a unibody construction – an unusual choice for an off-roader, to say the least. This construction helps to improve on-road handling, but that comes with the sacrifice of trail cred.

The 2021 Bronco also has the upper hand for lugging the heavy stuff. When equipped with the manual transmission and the optional lower-range transfer case, the Bronco has a wildly impressive maximum crawl ratio of 94.8:1. The Defender does little to defend its Range Rover nameplate, pulling in a rather unimpressive 56.6:1 crawl ratio.