One of the paramount concerns for entrepreneurs when procuring a work vehicle, whether a utility truck or van, is dependability. Should the company’s vehicle fail to start or encounter frequent breakdowns, it could lead to a lost day of work—or even worse, a forfeited contract. Despite consistently ranking low in reliability surveys among its SUV counterparts, Land Rover is introducing a commercial variant of its recently unveiled Defender SUV, specifically known as the Hard Top. All we can attest to is that it appears visually appealing and we wish them luck!
Land Rover affectionately dubs its work-oriented Defender in homage to the official hard top accessory that was accessible for the original series of Land Rovers. The contemporary off-roader is primed for work by discarding the extra seating rows typical of the Defender, resulting in a standard two-seater configuration. An optional center-mounted jump seat can accommodate a third occupant, yet regrettably, there are no visual depictions available of this quaint seating layout.
Land Rover
2021 Land Rover Defender Hard Top, Land Rover
Land Rover asserts that its steel-wheel-equipped Defender serves as a proficient all-terrain commercial model due to its blend of sharp approach and departure angles, lofty ride height, and all-wheel drive—features deemed suitable for leisurely camping trips, mining ventures, remote facility maintenance, and more. Hard Tops also boast a towing capacity of approximately 7,700 pounds, though this only places them in the same category as a 2020 Ford Ranger equipped with the Trailer Tow Package.
Land Rover
Land Rover
Whereas a Ranger equipped with a tow package begins at $26,745, Land Rover predicts that the starting price for the Defender Hard Top will hover around the USD equivalent of $43,600. Land Rover has not yet confirmed if the Defender Hard Top will be available for purchase in the United States. Given that the new Ford F-150 will be launched around the same period—offering superior job site functionality at a lower cost—one might expect Land Rover to maintain focus on its current market.
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