These Rekindled Overlanding Vehicles Are Not Your Daddy’s Retread

Overlanders are a rough and tumble group, but are they becoming a bit pampered? It’s a brave new world where rigs commonly run tires in the mid-30s, suspension systems easily articulate over Earth’s proudest boulders like a plane cuts through clouds, and interior accoutrements are so bountiful they would make Tony Stark blush.

Faster than you can say Grey Poupon, the new-vehicle market for overlanders grows even more indulgent. Once relegated to the fringes of carmaker priorities, off-road vehicles are now on the frontline of the hottest arms race, with the biggest brands leapfrogging one another in a bid for our rugged, little hearts.

Current vehicle offerings aren’t even enough to whet off-road consumer appetites. Legacy brands have reached into their fun-bag of intellectual property to bring back old favorites like the Ford Ranger, Ford Bronco, Jeep Gladiator, and the 2022 hopeful Jeep Wagoneer.

In this second part of our series identifying the top overlanding vehicles for 2021, focus lands squarely on the Gladiator, much-anticipated Bronco, and Land Rover’s Defender refresh. Be sure to scoot over to part one if you haven’t read it yet, or check out the best 2021 rigs to start your #vanlife.

Jeep Gladiator

The Rubicon and Mojave are the most complete Gladiator trim choices for overland adventure seekers. Rubicon is more apt for rock crawling, while Mojave carves through desert landscapes at high speeds. Given the choice, we pick the Rubicon. Its winch-capable steel front bumper, dual-vented hood, steel spare wheel, Fox Performance Shocks, and 4:1 transfer case and 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio give it a slight edge.

New for 2021, the Rubicon also features the new 3-liter EcoDiesel V-6 option, a significant differentiator from the Mojave, which comes with the standard 3.6-liter V-6.

EcoDiesel Does It

The EcoDiesel V-6 — also available on the Sport and Overland trims — delivers 260 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque, with engine stop-start (ESS) technology standard. While towing capacity (6,500 pounds) and max payload (1,075 pounds for Rubicon) with the EcoDiesel fall short of the gas V-6 option, overlanders will mostly appreciate the EcoDiesel’s fuel economy savings, which were achieved through a host of tweaks, including:

• A new-generation water-cooled turbocharger with variable geometry turbine (VGT) and low-friction bearing
• Redesigned cylinder head intake ports with higher flow capability
• Updated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to a dual loop (low and high pressure) system. The added low-pressure circulation system draws gases after the diesel particulate filter, thus minimizing turbocharger energy losses.
• Optimized engine compression ratio to 16.0:1 from 16.5:1
• Redesigned high-pressure direct-injection fuel injector nozzles made to match the newly improved combustion chamber

The Gladiator now includes a new 5.1-gallon diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank conveniently located immediately behind the fuel tank, with refill location next to the diesel fuel filler. Levels are monitored via a new DEF gauge in the front cluster.

Finally, to handle greater torque loads, the EcoDiesel V-6 connects to a newly added TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low RPM shifts and the on- and off-road rigors of Jeep Gladiator duty. There are more than 40 individual shift maps to optimize shift points for fuel economy, performance and 4×4 capability.

Ford Bronco

The coming years could realistically see the new Ford Bronco snatching Jeep Wrangler’s crown, ruling the road among overlanders and weekend off-roaders. But first, Ford remains focused on scaling up production to meet insatiable early demand. Product launch is delayed until June, as Ford admits some customers may have to wait as late as 2022 to take delivery.

Meanwhile, customers who ordered the Bronco’s little brother, Bronco Sport, should start receiving their vehicles as soon as January. But serious overlanders who traverse unpredictable and challenging landscapes will politely bypass Bronco Sport in favor of the 2021 Bronco’s raw power and capability.

The Bronco is going to be a star, and sheer practicality is likely what will fuel its rise. Owners will appreciate the vehicle’s very simplistic and aftermarket-friendly modularity. Ford also created a place to store the removable doors in the rear of the vehicle, making the open air concept a literal breeze.

The Badlands and Wildtrak are the Bronco trim levels most appealing to hardcore overlanders. Wildtrak (MSRP $46,980) is the desert dweller, while Badlands (MSRP $42,095) is the most capable for bouldering. Wildtrak comes standard with the off-road friendly Sasquatch package, but it will cost Badlands owners an extra $2,495 to include it as an option.

It’s worth it.

The Sasquatch package comes with 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires mounted to 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, Dana front and rear electronic locking axles with 4.7:1 final drive ratio, and high-clearance suspension with a nearly two-inch wider track, position-sensitive Bilstein shocks and wider fender flares. And hey! Ford caved to enthusiast pressure this fall to include this package with its seven-speed transmission option – it just won’t be available until 2022.

This package is a no-brainer for the Badlands trim, which includes standard semi-active hydraulic front stabilizer bar disconnect.

Badlands and Wildtrak both come with front and rear locking differentials, Bilstein position-sensitive monotube shocks and auxiliary switches with pre-run accessory wires in the overhead console.

The differentiators for Badlands are the upgraded bash plates and rock rails, as well as marine-grade vinyl seats with rubberized flooring for easy water rising. Meanwhile, Wildtrak has the slightly more powerful 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 featuring 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, compared to the 2.3-liter EcoBoost in the Badlands, which produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

All 2021 Bronco trims include Ford’s Terrain Management System with seven G.O.A.T. Modes including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl.

Retro Styling, Modern Goodies

The Bronco’s architecture is based on a fully boxed, high-strength steel chassis that delivers 17% more suspension travel in the front and rear compared to “the closest competitor,” according to Ford. In a direct challenge to Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco features best-in-class 11.6-inch ground clearance, maximum 29-degree breakover angle and 37.2-degree departure angle, and water fording capability of up to 33.5 inches.

For low-speed rock-climbing capability, the new Bronco comes available with a 7-speed (6+1) manual transmission, which would pair nicely with the available advanced 4×4 system with a crawler-gear ratio of 94.75:1. Alternatively, the SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission offers a maximum 67.8:1 crawl ratio with the available advanced 4×4 transfer case.

The massive 12-inch SYNC 4 system provides over-the-air updates, while displaying the available 360-degree camera system with off-road spotter views to provide additional visibility in technical rock crawling. Plus, Bronco’s advanced topographic trail maps include than 1,000 curated trail maps.

Land Rover Defender

The new Land Rover Defender is an unapologetically modern take on the series, featuring a hybrid gas-engine option, enhanced cargo, impressive towing, and the same off-road capability that earned Land Rover its sterling reputation generations ago.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is available in 90 and 110 body designs. The model range includes Defender, First Edition, Defender X, and the new high-end Defender X-Dynamic, which brandishes a tough new exterior appearance and unique interior fittings.

Powertrain choices include a turbocharged four-cylinder P300 engine and an efficient six-cylinder P400 Mild-Hybrid (MHEV) system. Both engines drive through a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and twin-speed transfer case, to provide a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-roading.

Fancy Pedigree, Rugged Capability

The Defender features a muscular maximum towing capacity of 8,201 pounds and the practical Advanced Tow Assist that works with 3D visualization on the central touchscreen. Traversing the roughest landscapes is easy, thanks to permanent 4WD, a twin-speed transfer case, center differential and optional active locking rear differential.

Drivers can prevent cross-axle slip using the Center Slip Limited and Center and Rear Slip Limited options on the central touchscreen controller. There is a choice of three settings for the throttle and gearbox response, steering and traction control, allowing experienced and novice off-roaders to tailor the vehicle setup to suit their needs.

Land Rover has raised the position of the Defender’s body by two-thirds of an inch, while relocating the battery and cooling circuits. This enabled engineers to deliver ultra-short front and rear overhangs to achieve approach and departure angles of 38 and 40 degrees. With a wheelbase of 119-inches, the 110 has a breakover angle of 28 degrees (31 degrees for the 90) for impressive off-road geometry.

The Defender is also a champion swimmer, with the selectable Wade program within the Terrain Response 2 menu. The new setting automatically softens the throttle response, sets the heating and ventilation to recirculate cabin air, locks the driveline and adjusts the ride height. The Wade Sensing screen on the infotainment system allows drivers to see the depth of surrounding water while fording up to 35.4-inches.

Skillful Updates

The Defender’s new stiff aluminum body provides a great foundation for the 4×4’s advanced all-independent suspension. The double wishbone front and integral link rear suspension optimizes off-road performance. Buyers get a choice between coil spring or Electronic Air Suspension. Maximum suspension articulation is 19.7-inches, which helps the Defender tackle 45-degree side slopes and inclines of 45 degrees with composure.

The strong body and flexible cargo were created with overland adventures in mind. With a maximum roof load of 370 pounds, the Defender can pack a load. The 661-pound maximum static roof load is perfect for pop-up roof tents.

Loadspace rails on the floor of the luggage space come with a range of load retention accessories to prevent smaller items from moving around inside. Plus, a lockable, heavy-duty steel Security Box secured to the loadspace rails is big enough to hold laptops, tablets and other valuables.

All Defender SUVs also feature a lockable 1.5-gallon glovebox and deep door pockets. The exposed cross car beam also doubles as a shelf to provide 1.83 gallons of open storage.

Which vehicle on this list would choose for overlanding adventures? Let us know in the comments!