Jeep Wrangler vs Land Rover Defender: my head says one thing, my heart says another

Deputy reviews editor Tom Wiltshire’s spent plenty of time with these two premium off-roaders – and though one’s a clear winner on paper, the other one tugs at the heartstrings…

I don’t need a hardcore off-roader in my life. Honestly, who does? A few people who live or work in very remote areas, sure, and farmers, estate workers or contractors who need one vehicle that can do work and pleasure at the same time.

Otherwise, these high-riding, immensely capable vehicles are a bit like buying a ride-on lawnmower to tackle a square of Astroturf in a postage stamp garden. Capable, comfortable, but undeniably overkill.

That doesn’t mean I don’t still want one, though. There’s just something about these cars that gives me a bit of a buzz – whether it’s a misplaced sense of superiority or just the fun of knowing that my car can handle the Atacama even if I’m stuck in traffic on the A14.

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Two of the most legendary names in this field are the Land Rover Defender and the Jeep Wrangler. They’re both immensely capable, both rather expensive, and both have decades of history with a lineage stretching right back to the 1940s. Of course, they’re quite a way removed from the original Series 1 Land Rover or Willys Jeep, but that just makes them suitable for modern life.

But which one’s best? Well, I’ve spent plenty of time with both – I’ve had several weeks with Land Rover Defenders of various types, and most recently spent a month with our long-term Jeep Wrangler. I’ve driven both for hundreds of miles on the road, as well as tackled some serious off-roading in them, and I think I know the answer.

Let’s start with the looks, because for both of these cars there’s some real appeal here. The Defender is more ‘inspired’ by its past – it has features, such as the tailgate-mounted spare wheel and the round headlights in their square surrounds, but you can clearly see it’s a modern design.

The Jeep is more of a straight evolution of its past, keeping the curved bonnet, round headlights, seven-slot grille and beefed-up wheelarches that all its predecessors have had. It’s much more of a faithful representation, and I respect that.

I definitely prefer the Defender’s interior, though. It’s really cool thanks to its straight-edged design, and has some neat design touches like exposed bolts and powder-coated elements that make it look rugged. The Jeep, on the other hand, is a clumsy mish-mash of switchgear from the Fiat parts bin – it’s not really that attractive.

The Defender also has the Jeep absolutely licked for comfort and practicality. The driving position is tons better – the Jeep has a nasty hump in the floor which leaves no space for your left foot – and it’s so roomy you can even get an optional jump seat in the front bench.

In both of these cars, the one you want is the short-wheelbase, three-door model – cause it looks cooler. But in either of these, that means shockingly little space in the back and really awkward access in the first place – plus a tiny boot. It’s much more sensible to get the five-door – called the 110 in the Defender – which has more room for everyday life. The Defender also offers a vast, eight-seater model called the 130, though this is somewhat overkill.

What are they like to drive? Well, the Wrangler goes down the road exactly like you’d expect from looking at it. It’s bouncy no matter what road surface you’re on, and the steering wheel is more like a vague suggestion of what direction you’d like the wheels to point in. The engine’s a bit rubbish too – it sounds like a sewing machine and returns terrible fuel economy, though it’s powerful enough and a decent match to the automatic gearbox.

The Defender has a lot more going for it on the tarmac. It’s super-comfy, quiet and refined, and there’s a wide choice of engines ranging from 30+mpg diesels right up to a thumping V8 petrol. It’s definitely the better car to drive.

Off-road, there’s rather less in it. Both of these cars are immensely capable, but they’re better at different things. The Defender has more ground clearance, can wade deeper water and get over steeper obstacles. But the Wrangler has a more rugged chassis with solid axles, meaning that it can get some serious angle if you’re doing hardcore rock-crawling.

The Wrangler is rather more of an analogue off-roader, too – while there’s tech available, it’s more to supplement your own driving. The Defender, on the other hand, is pretty much capable of driving itself thanks to something called All-Terrain Progress Control – effectively off-road cruise control that just keeps the car moving.

For the sort of obstacles you’re likely to encounter in the UK, the Defender wins – but the Wrangler is more entertaining, so if you off-road for fun, this is the car for you.

So which one would I buy? It’s a really, really difficult decision. I love the Wrangler, despite it being a bit rubbish to drive, cramped, and incredibly thirsty. My heart really wants to recommend it – but I know that, in reality, I’d get the Defender. It’s just that bit easier to live with.

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