With all the technology injected into modern off-roaders, these machines are always prepared to take the strain off their drivers while they leave the beaten path behind. But which one is the best at tackling unpaved terrain? Of course, this question has many answers, and for now, we'll stick with a good old Tug of War challenge involving modern rugged terrain legends from key parts of the world: the Jeep Wrangler, the Land Rover Defender, and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
The trio engaged in battle held on British grass as part of the latest adventure from Carwow, which means we need to take a good look at the specs of the vehicles.
You see, the Jeep is the only one in a specification that can also be had on the other side of the pond since it's animated by the 2.0-liter turbo-four delivering 274 PS (270 hp). And it can bet on front and rear locking diffs, while the Rubicon trim level (here's our review) makes it the only vehicle here to sport rugged terrain-destined tires.
However, the reborn Defender, which is some 400 kilos (880 lbs) heavier than the Wrangler, features a 2.0-liter diesel unit, which produces 240 PS (237 hp). Sporting a locking center diff, it entered the low-gear battle against the Jeep in both "Auto" and "Mud&Ruts" modes.
As for the G-Wagen, it packs an extra pair of cylinders compared to the other two, with its straight-six diesel delivering 286 PS (282 hp), while adding about 100 kilograms (220 lbs) to the Brit's scale footprint. And while Mercedes-Benz has brought the once-a-military-vehicle into modern times via this second generation introduced in 2018, the three locking differentials of the original are still present.
The Gelandewagen duked it out with the winner of the fight mentioned above in a move that rough terrain tacklers probably saw coming. However, even with this more affordable oil-burning version, you could still use the money spent on such a machine to buy both a Wrangler and a Defender. This is another story for another time, though.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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