Mercedes G Wagon? Jeep Wrangler?
Are these alternatives worth looking at. My friend wants a 4x4 but it has to be new for lease purposes.
G Wagon costs a fortune. Looks like a Defender without the personality or design flair. But is it any good. Jeep Wrangler, l have no idea. I once drove a 1990's one and it was terrible. Had something like 4.0 litre engine but was dog slow. And the dash made a Defender 90 look like quality.
A 4.0 litre Jeep is not slow, so you are obviously bull****ting and make up nonesense. The least powerful variant had 170hp while most were 190hp. In a Wrangler or Cherokee XJ that gives them 0-60mph times in the mid 8 second range. Nothing production Defender has even come close to that....
There was a much older 4.2 Jeep, but that was more back in the day when the 2.6 was an option in the 109. The 4.2 would have had a fatter low end torque curve however.
Well the Jeep has some pedigree.
Not sure about the new ones though.
Sorry, but what the **** are you on???
Jeep has more pedigree than any Land Rover, don't be so arrogant or ignorant.
Anyhow, to answer your question. It depends what you are wanting exactly.
If you want a SWB 'utility' 4x4, then there is currently very little in the UK or wider market. i.e. a 90 pickup/hard top.
If you are wanting a SWB 4x4 off roader there are some options.
1. The Jeep Wrangler. Offer in 3 door with a 95" wheelbase (Defender is 92.9" wheelbase). The Jeep uses a body on frame (ladder chassis) and live axles, just like a Defender. However the Jeep was an all new design in 2005, meaning it has a modern engine/gearbox setup. Well designed body tub and a very strong hydroformed ladder chassis.
On road and off road it is far superior to a Defender. Even in it's base model trim.
However they are NOT aimed at the utility market. They are given a poor tow rating (not because it physically isn't capable, more political reasons and marketing). And they have a small boot area as they have forward facing rear seats. However they are tough and rugged and highly adaptable and capable machines.
Plus they have direct lineage to the original Jeep used in WW2 and the vehicle that actually influenced the Land Rover. There are also military Jeeps still built today for other markets.
2. Suzuki Jimny. Very small and compact and hugely capable off road machine. Think of them as an 88" Series One Land Rover, but with Defender suspension. And built to a better standard. However they small inside and not much use for utility with a really low tow rating.
If you want wanting an alternative to the Defender 110 or 130 however, there are more options.
1. The Jeep Wrangler JK again. Only in 5 door LWB version. Very very similar to a 110, although again aimed at the recreational market, so not really utility.
2. The modern pick up truck; Ford Ranger through to Toyota Hilux. Lots of choice in the UK market. All pretty good utility vehicles, but all pretty much pick ups, so not a real substitute for 110 hard top or County. However none are as good off road as the Defender, if that will matter.
3. US pick ups. Huge huge range, from American and Japanese makers. Well attired, much better than UK market trucks. But often slightly bigger and bigger engines.
4. More of a luxury option. Such as a Disco 4 or a Land Cruiser. However these are generally a step further away from utility than the Wrangler is and often far more complex and expensive.
The G-Wagen is a superb vehicle. Very well built and highly capable. Always was. But these days they really are a trendy fashion icon and the price reflects this. These modern takes are still the same vehicle, but have lot much of their utility appeal with plush interiors and high performance V8 road engines.
Of course, you can still buy a less than 1 year old Defenders, so these could be an option still. Or simply rebuild an older one, or even a Range Rover/Disco 1.