I’m working on configuring a 2021 Defender 110 with my dealer and was hoping for some advice. Is the rear diff lock a must have? I won’t be doing any serious off-roading but will do some light/mild off-roading. We’ll be towing a boat (6k lbs) over the summer months and some of the ramps can be fairly steep and slick. We also have plans to get a travel trailer for camping and some of the areas may be off the beaten path. Thanks!

 

Probably not necessary based on your description. It would be more capable if you decided you wanted to try more difficult off roading, and might help resell.

 

For towing better get a GM SUV. Defender not so much.

 

I agree with DonMitsu that the locking rear diff is not absolutely necessary, given your description. It will be more important to make sure you buy the P400 engine.

Even so, I would highly recommend you order the rear-diff option for three reasons: 1) the rear diff is clutched (so too is the center diff.), which means it comes on much more often and to varying degrees than an "old fashion", single-setting, on/off locker. Thus, it makes the vehicle drive better in many more regimes than just serious off-roading situations. 2). Retrofitting it later on is not practically possible. So the decision you make now you will need to live with for the life of your ownership of the vehicle. 3) Purchasing it will definitely help resale.

 

Lockers come standard on the X.

 

Awesome, thanks for the feedback.

 

Do the rear lockers come standard on the 2021 X-Dynamic HSE trim? My dealer said it did but I couldn’t find it online anywhere confirming that it does.

 

On 2020s, the only model that included the locking rear diff and torque vectoring by braking as standard equipment was the Defender X. Although 2021s are no longer featured in the "Build Your Own' section on LRUSA's web site, I think I remember the off-road package (which includes the rear lockers) still being optional on every trim but the X. Salespeople just talk out of their a** most of the times, so they sound knowledgeable to the average Joe or Jill walking in their showroom, instead of spending 5 minutes researching when they just don't know the answer.

 

MNDefender:

Just got onto the North America Land Rover site. In the 2021 Defender x-dynamic HSE, the rear diff option is NOT automatically included -- but it is free.

The place to choose ADD is in the capability pack selections area:

Electronic Active Differential

$0.00
Electronic Active Differential
ADD

 

Thanks. When I configured mine 2021 online it was a no cost option but the dealer wasn’t able to select it at the dealership. They spoke with some other reps at the dealership and then came back saying it was a standard feature for the 2021 model. Needless to say, I’m skeptical.