2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its lack of distinctive styling, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design featured a similar "daylight opening" to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and chromed plastic features setting it apart. Colour options were limited, with a predominance of neutral shades, making it challenging to find more vibrant hues like Radiant Red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, but it still faced stiff competition from more stylish rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood, reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro elements, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. Its larger size compared to the original model provided more interior space and improved ergonomics. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with exposed metal and screws, while still offering luxury touches like leather and suede upholstery. The Defender's design successfully balanced nostalgia with contemporary appeal.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for thrilling performance but offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower. It reached 100 km/h in about 8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized efficiency over driving engagement. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The CR-V's suspension setup provided decent handling and ride quality, but it lacked the sporty feel of some competitors.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower. The standout option was the new V8 engine, delivering 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capability, with features like a two-speed transfer case, Terrain Response 2 system, and impressive ground clearance. On-road, it offered a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps effectively and handling crosswinds better than some competitors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space with over 100 litres more volume than the Toyota RAV4. It provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate options. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating configurations, with the two-door Defender 90 providing 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats. The four-door Defender 110 offered two-row and three-row configurations, with cargo space ranging from 160 litres to 1,875 litres, depending on the seat arrangement. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered optional roof racks and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Audio options varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. The Touring trim introduced a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control as standard across all trims. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist tech, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.