New Defender Cr@ps Itself Versus Jeep Gladiator on Trail

Not impressed by the “new” Defender. The “new” Bronco will have the same issues too. What are some of those issues?

1. One wheel in the air while the others jerk and stumble over the obstacles, ala IFS
2. Uncomfortable maxed out air-ride suspension
3. Limited after market support means costly upgrades...eventually this will come down but it will take years
4. Limited dealer support (Bronco excepted)
5. Limited mechanical expertise when out on the trail
6. Trail damage will be expensive

Really it comes to keeping all 4 tires on the trail. As seen in this, and many other videos, if you don’t mind waiting for the on-board nannies to figure out what to do, while your foot is planted on the throttle, then this might for you.

JAY said:

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Did I miss something? Did you watch the whole video? The new Defender did pretty damn good for what it is. I watched it all the way to the end, and it only really struggled with that one obstacle in the beginning where they got the rear control arm hung up on a rock, but it got out under its own power. That's a really tough trail, my stock JKU Rubicon struggled on it.

I wish they showed the descent. It was super sketch. I was fine with my 73:1 crawl ratio (6 Speed Manual), but its super steep with loose rocks.

The impressive thing about the Defender is what is does on small tires AND its ridiculously defined on road. I had to pleasure of driving one from Raleigh to Franklin NC, which is a 5 hour drive and goes through the mountains. I couldn't have been more impressed. The ride, handling, comfort, power, and quietness were remarkable. Also, that Defended didn't have the optional rear locker.

I guess I have some unique insight on this since I've done Red Cone in a stock Rubicon and I've had a lot of wheel time behind a 2020 Defender.

NC_Overland said:

Did I miss something? Did you watch the whole video? The new Defender did pretty damn good for what it is. I watched it all the way to the end, and it only really struggled with that one obstacle in the beginning where they got the rear control arm hung up on a rock, but it got out under its own power. That's a really tough trail, my stock JKU Rubicon struggled on it.

I wish they showed the descent. It was super sketch. I was fine with my 73:1 crawl ratio (6 Speed Manual), but its super steep with loose rocks.

The impressive thing about the Defender is what is does on small tires AND its ridiculously defined on road. I had to pleasure of driving one from Raleigh to Franklin NC, which is a 5 hour drive and goes through the mountains. I couldn't have been more impressed. The ride, handling, comfort, power, and quietness were remarkable. Also, that Defended didn't have the optional rear locker.

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The tires on that Defender are upgrades, not stock.

I didn't see the Defender cr@p itself. Other than the one hang up, the Gladiator had its when it couldn't over the bolder, but that could be driver, he lets up right when the back wheel gets to the rock.

Sorbs said:

The tires on that Defender are upgrades, not stock.

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They’re the stock size though. You can’t fit a larger sized tire on them than the stock All Terrains. I really don’t see the point when it came stock with Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor All Terrains. Those came stock on my All Terrain and they’re fine. I don’t think that made much of a difference.

edit: Some of the first editions game with all season street tires. They must be talking about larger than the All Seasons. I've seen one up on a lift, you can't fit larger tires than the stock All Terrains on them with the stock wheels. Maybe with spacers. its so tight against the front fender liners. There is a bump out that would have to be modified.

TLDR:

Want to get to the top the fastest? Buy a dirt bike.

In all seriousness though, it’s pretty clear the Jeep is superior off road. LR wouldn’t have made it without the electronic nannies. It was constantly having to bail out the suspension. Gladiator (and Defender) barely broke a sweat.

Dewyaw said:

In all seriousness though, it’s pretty clear the Jeep is superior off road.

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To be fair, I think the Defender is for a different target segment. I would like to see how the Defender does against the Mercedes G-Wagon

LR does know how to do great ads for the vehicle though
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-commercial-more-like-this-defender-ad.28030/

More applicable videos of its decent capabilities




There was one where they went on the LR course off-road and I thought it did pretty good
Edit: this one

Wow, talk about sensationalized headlines, Rover did fine, Jeep does a bit better, switch drivers, it might be the other way, come on, this is a lame attempt to descredit a capable vehicle. Silly.

rubi14 said:

Wow, talk about sensationalized headlines, Rover did fine, Jeep does a bit better, switch drivers, it might be the other way, come on, this is a lame attempt to descredit a capable vehicle. Silly.

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The only thing I can figure is he only watched the beginning when it got hung up on the rear control arm. After watching that, I was thinking that it wasn't going to do nearly as well as it did. I haven't had the opportunity to take on off the pavement yet...

NC_Overland said:

They’re the stock size though. You can’t fit a larger sized tire on them than the stock All Terrains. I really don’t see the point when it came stock with Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor All Terrains. Those came stock on my All Terrain and they’re fine. I don’t think that made much of a difference.

edit: Some of the first editions game with all season street tires. They must be talking about larger than the All Seasons. I've seen one up on a lift, you can't fit larger tires than the stock All Terrains on them with the stock wheels. Maybe with spacers. its so tight against the front fender liners. There is a bump out that would have to be modified.

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They fit larger 33.5 KO2s on the Defender, TFL calls this out. Doesn't matter though, you won't find many new Defenders out on the trail. It will be for the "wanna show my friends I spent $80k for a mall crawler" crowd.

Not knocking it for its capabilities when needed, but let's be honest, mall crawler...oh, and my JTR doesn't have a scratch...

I've never driven a vehicle from Rover and therefore can't comment about ride or capability. I do have a friend who bought a Land Rover some years ago. He got rid of it after a few months. This was because he learned he had to go to the dealer for even the most basic maintenance procedures. Not even the oil change shops would touch it. Of course, the dealer wanted over $100 for an oil change. And even the basic air and oil filters were very expensive.

I suppose most Rover buyers expect this like BMW buyers would. But expensive parts and maintenance would be significant turn-offs for typical off-road people.

Gladiator and "Old" Defender were quite at home ... 4 Runner and "New" Defender .... not so much. I predict the Bronco would have been hopping and skipping just the same.