2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was a nostalgic nod to its rugged predecessors, with its squared-off edges, elevated rear roof, and distinctive round headlights. It retained the classic Land Rover aesthetic that many enthusiasts missed since the LR4's departure. The Defender's design was both functional and stylish, with features like step plates and a ladder for roof access, though some elements were more decorative than practical. Its taillights and external spare tire added to its robust appearance, while various design themes allowed owners to customize it for urban or rural adventures. Inside, the Defender's interior was basic and industrial, with standard cloth seats and an optional centre jump seat. Despite its high price, the interior lacked the luxury expected at that level, feeling more like a commercial vehicle than a high-end SUV.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7 offered a more refined and modern aesthetic. The Q7's design updates aligned it with the flagship Q8, featuring new wheels and lighting elements that enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the Q7 adopted a high-tech dashboard with digital displays, replacing most physical controls. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe. The Technik trim's multi-colour ambient lighting added a soothing atmosphere, making the Q7 a comfortable and luxurious choice for long journeys. The Q7's interior was both stylish and functional, with a focus on comfort and technology.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a choice between a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 296 horsepower and a more powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The latter was a mild hybrid, enhancing performance with an electric motor-powered turbocharger. The Defender excelled off-road, thanks to its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease. On-road, the Defender was quiet and comfortable, though its handling was reminiscent of older SUVs, with slow steering and noticeable body lean.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, improving fuel efficiency and performance. The Q7's eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system provided smooth and responsive driving. Audi Drive Select offered various driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Allroad, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Q7's acceleration was impressive, reaching 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and it offered a substantial towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. The Q7 excelled on paved roads, providing a quiet and comfortable ride, with agile handling and minimal cabin noise.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender prioritized durability and functionality, with a minimalist interior designed for tough conditions. The Defender 90, a two-door model arriving in 2021, offered a unique jump seat configuration, accommodating up to six passengers. The four-door 110 model provided an optional third row, increasing seating capacity to seven. 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 kilograms, and its rugged design was built to withstand harsh conditions.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while offering three rows of seats, was best suited for five passengers. The third row was cramped and suitable only for children, with limited cargo space when in use. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 1,010 litres, and folding both rows provided a maximum of 1,970 litres. The Q7's interior was comfortable and well-equipped, with heated and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. However, interior storage was limited, with minimal space for personal items.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous versions. It included two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates, affecting up to 16 computer modules. The system's interface was more user-friendly, though some issues remained, such as small map zoom icons. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by front cameras showing the ground beneath the hood and a rearview mirror doubling as a screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera system, with additional options like a head-up display and rear-seat tablets.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response system, combining a 10.1-inch and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for accessing the SUV's systems. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips sometimes caused unresponsive virtual buttons. The Technik trim featured a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though Audi planned to upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was not rated by U.S. crash testing agencies, and it lacked knee and rear side airbags, offering six airbags in total. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 360-degree cameras.

The 2020 Audi Q7 received high safety ratings from the IIHS, except for its "poor" headlight assessment. The Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination, though they were criticized for excessive glare. The Q7 offered numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign recognition system occasionally misread signs, leading to unexpected braking. Active Lane Assist was also problematic, especially on mountain highways.