DeMuro VS. Auto Spies! Doug Calls The 2020 Land Rover Defender The HOTTEST SUV OF 2020. We Call It The BIGGEST LETDOWN. WHO Is RIGHT?

If you know me, you know I love trucks. SUVs, Pickups, Jeeps, Defenders (old), Bronco's, etc.

So I would venture to guess no one was more excited to see the all new Defender.

Our friend Doug Demuro reviewed it today on YouTube and I have to say I was in SHOCK when he called it the HOTTEST SUV of the year.

Because, since the moment I saw it online, then at the auto shows I couldn't help but think OMG, WHAT a letdown!

I mean the damn thing looks like a Honda Element, not badass looking like say a RAPTOR.

It looks feminine, boring and when you see it up close, CHEAP. NOTHING like the quality of a Range Rover.

Now granted the outgoing defender wasn't an exercise in luxury but I assure you when you see the interior on this new defender, you'll think holy Mid-level Jeep Cherokee Laredo. NOT kidding.

I do like it's profile and I even kinda like the stupid body color panel above the gas cap.

But the face is hideous and although I like the rear, it looks like a MINI Clubman XXXL.

And lastly, I just can't help but think the new Ford Bronco is gonna blow it away.

So watch the video, then tell us WHO is right? DeMuro or Auto Spies?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 6/9/2020 7:24:25 PM

+2 Boost

The mid level interior reflects the opening base price of $50k USD. Similar reasoning as to why the 4Runner has so much plastic, it's the base price. It's best view is from the side. I hate the sticker thing on the window and the front could have been much better. If it has the same reliability as their other vehicles you should really look elsewhere.

Car4life1 - 6/9/2020 8:56:19 PM

+2 Boost

I want to like it, but it’s still giving me Honda Element vibes and the discontinued freelander energy....

Should make some spoiled highschool/college students happy though, maybe new families that can afford the maintenance

MDarringer - 6/9/2020 9:15:41 PM

+2 Boost

You nailed it, Car.

xjug1987a - 6/10/2020 11:32:54 AM

+1 Boost

Totally agree and while the 2 door is something that no one else offers I'll be curious on the take rate. I personally think the 2 door will find a market but again, curious...

cidflekken - 6/9/2020 7:33:27 PM

+1 Boost

You're both right because it's called opinion. And likely each opinion is based on criteria that's important to the rater.

For me, I love it and want one to be truthful. It is my most desired SUV right now.

Agent001 - 6/9/2020 7:37:50 PM

+1 Boost

Have you seen it in person and sat in it?

001

cidflekken - 6/9/2020 10:04:13 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, several times.

Agent001 - 6/9/2020 11:01:20 PM

+3 Boost

I found the interior cheap as sh_t. Not even close to my Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. They should have gone straight after G-Class with a killer, richly appointed inside.

Dollars to donuts, the Bronco top-end model will have a higher-quality interior. And from the leaked shots it looks 1000x better than Defender.

The Defender simply doesn't look TOUGH. It's forgettable.

001

cidflekken - 6/10/2020 12:37:30 PM

+1 Boost

I hear you, but let's be honest. If you want a richly appointed Rover interior in this price range, then you need to land with the RR Sport or the RR. To me, the Defender's interior is very nicely done and suits its "mission" perfectly, as a more rugged off-road-gonna-get-a-bit-messy vehicle. LR had to distinguish it from its RR counterparts as not to encroach on sales of the family line.

Not sure I'd want a Grand Cherokee interior in a Wrangler might be the comparative equivalent.

xjug1987a - 6/10/2020 3:01:51 PM

0 Boost

Actually cidflekken - I think a Wrangler w/GC interior would sell. If they did a 4 door Wrangler "Limited" that had the big wheels, etc... but was very comfortable and quiet on the road I think would sell. How many of these actually go off road? I like the way the W looks but there is no way my wife would want one or ride in one. Make it much more comfortable, perhaps G Wagon like.... I honestly think it would sell....

Matt what do you think, yours is the only opinion that matters here...

xjug1987a - 6/10/2020 3:01:52 PM

0 Boost

MDarringer - 6/10/2020 3:41:01 PM

-1 Boost

Cur4life1 and Carfaker would disagree.

xjug1987a - 6/10/2020 4:50:04 PM

-1 Boost

LOL....

cidflekken - 6/11/2020 5:51:29 PM

+2 Boost

xjug, not sure about that. But anything has the potential to sell. The Toyota 4Runner might be the best example of off-road/rugged and somewhat refined interior and ride. It's still more truck than crossover, though. And it's a Toyota.

Also not sure Jeep would want to dilute the historical image of the Wrangler with a "softer, gentler" variant.

cidflekken - 6/11/2020 5:53:42 PM

+2 Boost

To add, I think the Jeep Liberty attempted to take that approach of Wrangler-type styling with a more friendly interior and experience, but that is no longer around for a reason.

MDarringer - 6/11/2020 6:24:17 PM

0 Boost

The Liberty failed because it was a horrible design. The XJ Cherokee was simply better looking and more capable than the Liberty that was ungainly looking.

malba2367 - 6/9/2020 7:52:54 PM

+1 Boost

The interior is somwhat lacking for the price when loaded up, but is doable at the base prices. But what else is there out there with the cool factor, the refinement level, lux badge and off road capability at that price? The G Class is a huge step up in price. I live near JLR's US office, and have seen a few on the road over the past couple months, and they look really nice in person.

MDarringer - 6/9/2020 9:23:17 PM

-1 Boost

DeMuro is a kiss ass. Mama's boy must have loved the drugs and whores that Tata brought to the reveal after party so much so he wants to be invited back by fawning. You can't be a top influencer if you tell the truth.

jeffgall - 6/9/2020 9:56:06 PM

-1 Boost

The minivan gear shift kills me.

Carmaker1 - 6/10/2020 12:08:13 AM

0 Boost

Stupid Ratan Tata cost cut the hell out of this program and refused to greenlight the needed new body on frame architecture for a family of Defenders.

Between this BS and the X360 XJ's death in favour of X391, I gladly quit and left the UK eventually. JLR was a nice return "home", pleasant job environment on engineering staff level, but stupid boardroom politics and a mediocre administrative promotion offer, designed to discourage me from accepting, ended my stint.

All the usual fools will eat up this wannabe Defender hook, line, and sinker.

Doug is a bloody idiot, with Gen Z sheep for an audience. I'm keeping my D90 SVX parked back in Solihull and will never let that thing go. This thing died the day it lost its frame and row your own gearbox.

Foncool - 6/10/2020 8:00:52 AM

-1 Boost

Doug Demuro.......Seriously? Wow someone actually values what he has to say about cars!

TauronB2G - 6/10/2020 9:43:58 AM

+1 Boost

It’s pretty cool but I’m the end it’s just a poser mobile for guys who want to look cool but aren’t. It’ll be all over mall parking garages and at the beach.

mre30 - 6/10/2020 1:35:44 PM

+1 Boost

You just summed up Doug DeMuro
"...a poser mobile for guys who want to look cool but aren’t. It’ll be all over mall parking garages and at the beach.,,"

MDarringer - 6/10/2020 3:42:10 PM

-1 Boost

Indeed. The Defender needed to be a Wrangler.

ricks0me - 6/10/2020 6:20:36 PM

0 Boost

mre30 >>> bingo

PUGPROUD - 6/10/2020 7:22:49 PM

0 Boost

Its the must have SUV for the moment on Greenwich Ave and Rodeo Drive while main street America goes for the Bronco in big numbers.

SuperCarEnthusiast - 6/11/2020 12:35:20 PM

0 Boost

Its exterior is plain and interior is very boring and plain with utility pickup truck styling.

mini22 - 6/11/2020 8:44:26 PM

+2 Boost

Say what you want about DeMuro. Just look at the amount of hits this guy gets on his web site. He is pretty much at the top. Also did you know he just launched a car auction site to rival BAT?