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2021 Land Rover Defender Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2021 Land Rover Defender Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: 90 vs 110, S vs SE vs HSE, X-Dynamic & First Edition

What 2021 Land Rover Defender Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is a rugged SUV with plenty of room to spare for both passengers and cargo. The 90 models can seat up to five or six people, depending on some of the options you choose. The 110 models can seat up to seven. Staying true to the Land Rover legacy, the Defender offers excellent off-road capabilities.

The Defender has a boxy, aggressive design that some may consider retro. Its interior, however, is all about modern conveniences and luxury appointments. The Defender is equally at home on paved roads as it is during off-road excursions. In fact, it provides a smooth, comfortable ride along with excellent steering and handling.

Land Rover gives buyers a lot of choices for the 2021 Defender. There are two different powertrain options including a hybrid model. The Defender comes in two different body styles too. There are a total of 11 different trim levels. We will take a close look at all of these models and how they compare with one another.

 

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 vs 90 S Trim. What is the difference?

All of the models with a 90 in their name come in a two-door body style. The base model comes equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4 engine. This engine can produce an impressive 296 horsepower with 295 pound-feet of torque. The base model has a top speed of 117 miles-per-hour. It can get you up to 60 miles-per-hour in about 7.7 seconds. An automatic transmission system is standard with this engine.

On the outside, you get 18-inch wheels with a white-steel finish. The exterior mirrors are heated for quick defrosting. They also have a power-folding feature. The mirror on the driver's side offers automatic dimming as well. This model has available all-wheel drive with a coil suspension and a two-speed transfer case.

The base model also comes with Land Rover's Terrain Response Technology. This system allows the driver to select a specific mode for different driving conditions. This further enhances the vehicle's off-road performance. It also gives you better handling during increment weather.

On the inside of this trim level, you get basic cloth upholstery. The seats up front get 8-way power adjustments. The infotainment system has an AM/FM HD radio and a large 10-inch touchscreen display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both compatible with the system. A 3D Surround Camera gives you a heads up on your surroundings.

The driver and passengers are kept safe with a total of six airbags. Lane-Keeping Assist and Emergency Brake Assist are standard. You also get Land Rover's 360 Parking Aid and Traffic Sign Recognition with Adaptive Speed Limiter. The high-tech Driver Condition Monitor makes sure the driver is awake and alert. Sophisticated software monitors the driver's eyes and facial expressions, even in varying light conditions.

Moving up to the S trim level gets you larger, 19-inch wheels with a silver finish. All of the headlights and taillights get upgraded to LED models. The seats are upgraded with leather upholstery. They are now 12-way power adjustable up front. The gearshift and steering wheel are wrapped in leather as well.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 S vs 90 X-Dynamic S. What is the difference?

The Defender 90 X-Dynamic S comes with most of the same features as the S model. The biggest difference is in the powertrain. This trim gets a Mild Hybrid 3.0-liter, turbocharged I6 engine. The engine produces 395 horsepower with 406 pound-feet of torque.

The exterior stays mostly the same with the exception of the trim-level badges. The wheels are 19 inches and come with a 5-spoke design and a glossy black finish. There are some extra silver accents here and there. On the inside, you get premium leather seats with a two-tone color scheme.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic S vs 90 First Edition. What Is the Difference?

The First Edition trim comes equipped with the same engine and transmission system as the X-Dynamic S. The roof comes in a contrasting white color for this model. A folding-fabric roof is optional. Automatic Headlight Leveling and Auto High Beam Assist are added on. The headlights are upgraded to premium LED models. You now get front fog lamps as well.

The First Edition comes with a set of 20-inch, 5-spoke wheels in a glossy silver finish. The leather-wrapped steering wheel now comes with a heating feature. This model gets Land Rover's ClearSight Interior Rear View Mirror. You also get an electronic, adjustable steering column.

The seats are upgraded again to 12-way power-adjustable models with grained leather. The sound system gets upgraded to a Meridian system with a 400-watt amplifier and 10 speakers. An Electronic Air Suspension provides a silky smooth ride quality on or off of paved roads.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 First Edition vs 90 X Trim. What Is the Difference?

The 90 X trim level again comes with the hybrid engine. New mechanical features include an Electronic Active Differential and All-Terrain Progress Control. The Terrain Response 2 system gives you even more driving modes than the standard Terrain Response system.

For the exterior, the 90 X gets a black contrasting roof and hood. You get 20-inch wheels with a five-spoke design. These come in glossy dark gray with a contrasting diamond-turned finish. There are orange brake calipers and satin chrome accents on the outside of this model. You also get a Panoramic Sunroof with this trim level.

On the inside, you get 14-way, power-adjustable seats with Windsor Leather upholstery. These seats offer both heating and cooling this time around. There is also now a memory feature for seat settings and 4-way adjustable headrests. The Meridian sound system gets upgraded again with 14 speakers and an 825-watt amplifier. The cabin also offers premium lighting and walnut-veneer trim.

2021 Land Rover Defender: The 110 Models

The 110 models are the four-door versions of the 2021 Land Rover Defender. They come in their own set of trim levels. These models offer seven seats for the driver and passengers. They also offer more cargo room in back. The 90 models can be configured for a maximum cargo area of 58.3 cubic feet. The 110 models get a maximum of 78.8 cubic-feet of storage space.

2021 Land Rover Defender 110 vs 110 S Trim Level. What Is the Difference?

The base model in the 110 series goes back to using the 2.0-liter, turbocharged I4 engine. In fact, this model reverts to a lot of the same features as the 90 base model.You get the body-colored roof and standard LED headlights. You get the same 18-inch steel wheels with the white paint scheme too. Last of all, the seats and infotainment system are both the same as those found in the 90 base model.

The 110 base trim has Land Rover's Blind Spot Assist Pack. The Driver Condition Monitor makes its return along with the 3D Surround Camera. Lane Keep Assist and Emergency Braking are standard here. You also get the same six airbags that could be found on the 90 base model.

The 110 S is likewise similar to the 90 S, with the exception of the door count and extra seat. This trim adds on grained leather upholstery, LED headlights and 19-inch wheels with a glossy silver paint scheme. An Interactive Driver Display is added on to the infotainment system at this trim level.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 S vs 110 SE Trims. What is the difference?

The 110 SE trim level again comes with the standard 2.0-liter gasoline engine. The LED headlights now get Auto High Beam Assist. This model gets 19-inch silver wheels with a 6-spoke design. The front seats are 12-way power adjustable with grained leather and woven-textile seat facings. The rear seats have a 40:20:40 setup with their own center console and armrest.

This model has the same audio setup and infotainment center as the 90 SE trim level. It also has the exact same safety features, airbags and driver-assist technology. The infotainment system once again gets the Interactive Driver Display.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 SE vs 110 X-Dynamic SE. What is the difference?

The 110 X-Dynamic SE comes equipped with the hybrid powertrain setup. The exterior is adorned with silver accents. You also get 20-inch, 5-spoke wheels in dark gray. This model gets Land Rover's premium LED headlights and a set of front fog lights.

On the inside of the 110 X-Dynamic SE, you will find the Meridian sound system with 10 speakers and a 400-watt amplifier. The front seats have 12-way power adjustments and get the memory feature again for this trim level. There's not much more to say about this model. It adds to what the 110 SE offers at a modest uptick in cost.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE vs 110 X-Dynamic HSE Trim Level. What Is the Difference?

The 110 X-Dynamic HSE sticks with the hybrid powertrain and adds on some extras. This starts with an opening Panoramic Sunroof. The outside mirrors get the electric, power-folding feature and heating for fast defrosting. They also now come with approach lights to let you know when vehicles are fast approaching from the rear. There is also an auto-dimming feature for the driver's-side mirror.

The seats now get 14-way power adjustments with both heating and cooling. You get the Windsor Leather treatment again here, but this time with an ebony color scheme. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and there are leather panels and trim throughout the cabin.

Compare the 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE vs 110 X. What Is the Difference?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 X is almost the same as the 90 X trim level. The black roof and hood make a return for this trim package. The satin-chrome accents and orange brake calipers return as well. This trim also gets rear recovery eyes. The wheels are a set of 20-inch models with a 5 split-spoke design and a glossy dark-gray paint job.

This trim level gets the top-tier infotainment system. That includes the premium sound system with 14 speakers, a subwoofer and an 825-watt amplifier. You also get the premium, ambient lighting for the interior with the 110 X trim. When it comes to performance, the 110 X will get you Land Rover's Terrain Response 2 system, Configurable Terrain Response and All-Terrain Progress Control.

 

Which Trim to Choose?

The first decision you will have to make is whether to choose a 90 or 110 model. Remember, the 90 models have a two-door body style and one less seat for passengers. There is also a little less cargo space. The performance stats and available features, however, are basically the same between these two versions, depending on the specific trim level of course.

The 90 models will be fine if you don't need the extra space. They are a little bit more maneuverable too. Your next decision is whether to select a model with the hybrid engine or the standard gasoline engine. The standard engine will make things cheaper at the start, but the hybrid will save you money at the gas pump. This makes it more economical in the long run.

The hybrid power train is kind of an obvious choice here. It even has more power and torque for superior performance during off-road or on-road driving. For the best convenience features, luxury appointments and safety equipment, go right for the 110 X trim. The extra cost will be well worth it for most owners.

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Previous Land Rover Defender Trim Configurations:

Compare the 2020 Land Rover Defender Trim Levels