@GavinCyou always are good for some good ribbing

the US gets steel bumpers front and back as part of the base

we will have to use your uoutube following to compare the two vehicles over a beer

 

A cold one or two this weekend if you're keen. Thinking of hitting a trail on Saturday.
As for my youtube follower. I think he's washing his hair this weekend.

 

Q: given you have a Gwagon, new Defender, and have seen the new Grenadier, what's your thoughts on using the Grenadier as a daily drive vehicle? Drop kids off at school, go to work, park at the grocery store... that type of stuff?? You can't realistically compare a G/Rubicon/Bronco to the 110 Defender, if SUV has to at times load 5 people, luggage, a dog, and then bikes on the back for a trip. Wranglers and G wagons don't offer anywhere near the space needed for that type of family need SUV. New Defenders are roomy. If you require space, comfort, the Defender is pretty much alone in the market for that. (you can go downmarket to a 4Runner, or size up to a Suburban, but a mid-size family friendly SUV with eveyrthing inside and out, that's new Defender and it's pretty much alone right now). the new defender - to me - seems more like what the LC used to offer. What was the back seat room like in the Grenadier? Do you have more room than the G? I hope so!! (I found G small, and Rubicon was just all-around cramped interior). Is it as comfortable - minimum standard here: 4Runner? New Defender owners - and maybe that's me some day - don't want to fight to get the vehicle going in the right direction, or deal with breakdowns. The Grenadier marketing seems to be "we're LC like in terms of construction and quality underneath" suggesting it won't leave you stranded along the road. But how's the inside? How's the ride? I can't tell if Grenadier wants to eventually take on New Defender (it's going to be difficult as what they have shown so far is not luxury featured inside), or are they trying to up-sell folks looking at Wrangler/Bronco? (I say up-sell because if you want a weight bearing roof, and that's a criteria, you can't look at Rubicon or Bronco - the Grenadier roof is designed to support weight in a way that Rubicon and Bronco are not designed to do). I would think many Rubicon drivers would consider a Grenadier if it takes off here. But if the inside is like a Wrangler, you're never going to get new Defender buyers. New Defender buyers want lots of space and features, plus off road capabilities; it's not either, it's both. Lucky for LR, most new defender buyers don't care much about price - it's more likely a cash buy. So, for Grenadier to be a new defender alternative, it will have to have a super interior - big and roomy.... given what you've seen thus far, can Grenadier get there?

 

@curb-optional are you asking me? I don't have a G wagon just the L663. I'll answer if you would like?

 

Well this won't be a popular post.

You're leaving out the Rivian R1S. In terms of practical driving and roominess, it's by far a closer competitor to a 110/130 than a G-Wagen or a Bronco. For most, it's also much closer than a Grenadier. Tons of features and more tech than any of the vehicles you've mentioned. Comfortable, roomy, super-capable off-road, and fun as hell to drive. It's stupid looking but it definitely belongs in your comparison.

 

If you find yourself at the base of a mountain, new defender is no Rubicon or Bronco. As a new Defender shopper, all I'm looking for is mildly off roady & reasonably competent, but not the full package you get with Rubicon - which is everything. the new defender checks mildly off road box, plus it's family friendly, has lots of tech, smooth ride, and loads of space for all the passenger stuff. new defender is very different than old defender, as old defender was off road worthy. but not everyone wants that, so new defender does have a place in the market. it's not a rubicon alternative, but if LC were still being sold, it would compete for those shoppers. i also totally get the Jeep community panning air suspension - it can break; but while it's working it's a nice drive experience - it's a trade off. Grand Cherokee is not remotely close to what you get with new Defender. go sit in a new defender.... It's like trying to compare G wagon to Rubicon. As great as they both are, there's a substantial price difference. You're also overlooking Jeep itself wouldn't compare New Defender to Grand Cherokee - it has the Wagoneer - that's the comp to new defender. Maybe you like Wagoneer, maybe you don't. But Grand Cherokee is a Juke-like next to a Grand Wagoneer (which is like a Tahoe). Of course, I totally agree with the general point: if you want off-road only as your only criteria, new defender is not in the running - go elsewhere. as someone who likes new defender, i suspect it's probably wonderful on the highway at 80 mph and full of family - passengers can probably talk to each other! there's no space in rubicons for people and their stuff, unbeatable as they are off-road. on the other hand, while all the other family friendly SUVs get stuck in snow at the family vacation spot - a new defender will go through that 6 inches of snow fine. that's the goal: you're not trying to compete with rubicon - you're trying to not be the family SUV that gets stuck in mud, snow, or sand somewhere with a cabin full of unhappy family members.

 

New Defender only good for mild off road?

 

And that's on road tyres!

I would guess that few Defenders will see this kind of action though.

 

*replacement shocks and struts have entered the chat.

 

the "mild off road" is a minimum! it's not a limit - if it does more for others, terrific, but it has to be geared and prepared for mild off road needs. I have reasonable expectations .