2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation of Honda’s compact crossover, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda’s sedan lineup. The CR-V leaned more towards a station wagon look than a traditional SUV, making it a modern choice for family transportation. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that didn’t always harmonize. While higher trims featured upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V versions were upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Defender was a nostalgic nod to the classic Land Rover design, with its squared-off edges, rising roofline, and round headlights. It was a vehicle that embraced its rugged heritage, with features like step plates and a ladder for roof access, although these were more for show than function in the modern iteration. The Defender’s design was purposeful and classic, akin to a Burberry trench coat, and it was built to handle tough terrains. Its exterior was adorned with practical elements like mudflaps, snorkels, and steel wheels, and it offered various customization options to suit urban or country adventures. Inside, the Defender’s cabin was basic and industrial, with a focus on durability over luxury, featuring cloth seats and exposed screws. Despite its high price, the Defender’s interior was not luxurious, but it was functional and reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler with superior materials and assembly.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, providing a smooth and efficient driving experience. While CVTs often had a reputation for sluggishness, Honda’s implementation was commendable, offering a responsive feel, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its lightweight design contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1, making it one of the most efficient in its class.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, offered a more powerful performance with its optional 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This mild hybrid powertrain featured an electric motor-powered turbocharger, eliminating turbo lag and ensuring consistent power delivery. The Defender’s off-road capabilities were exemplary, aided by its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension. It could tackle steep inclines and deep water with ease, making it a formidable off-road vehicle. The standard engine was a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower, suitable for the smaller two-door 90 model. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender’s on-road handling was reminiscent of older SUVs, with slow steering and noticeable body roll.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality, offering a roomy cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its clever packaging included a deep centre console and a two-position load floor in the rear, providing ample cargo space. The CR-V’s seating position and visibility were excellent, and it offered a total of 1,065 litres of cargo space in the Touring and Black Edition trims. The door pockets were spacious, and the overall design made it easy to live with, accommodating all your belongings with ease.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender prioritized durability and functionality in its interior design. The two-door 90 model offered a unique configuration with an optional jump seat, allowing it to seat up to six people. The four-door 110 model had an optional third row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Defender’s cabin was austere but practical, with simple controls and a new infotainment interface. Cargo space varied depending on the model, with the two-door 90 offering 297 litres and the four-door 110 providing up to 1,875 litres with seats folded. The Defender’s towing capacity was impressive at 3,719 litres (8,200 pounds), and its rugged design was built to withstand tough conditions.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system was showing its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, they felt tacked on rather than integrated. The CR-V Touring and Black Editions offered navigation, but the system was not as user-friendly as others in its class. However, the CR-V did provide plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous JLR systems. It offered two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates, affecting 16 computer modules. The interface was more user-friendly, though some issues remained, such as small zoom icons on the map. The Defender’s off-road capabilities were enhanced by its front cameras and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. The standard analog gauges with a seven-inch display could be upgraded to a 12-inch digital instrument panel. The Defender 110 came with a range of standard features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the “Honda Sensing” suite of safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with some caveats for lower trims. A safety recall was issued for a possible rear subframe failure, affecting a small number of vehicles.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies, and it lacked knee and rear side airbags. However, it offered standard safety features such as forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and 360-degree cameras. Despite its limited safety ratings, the Defender was equipped with a range of driver assistance technologies.