From my experience, it all depends on the driver, and the application of the vehicle.
A few years ago, me and my brother drove a 130 to Brownsville, Tx from NC. Then on to Guatemala, Belize, and back. We did the same trip years ago on motorcycles, yet I digress... Anyway, the Tdi 130 did amazingly well- lots of low speed roads, trails, jungle, etc. Good fuel economy, etc.
Fast forward a couple years. Lived with the 130 pulling a Conqueror trailer up the mountains of NC via Interstate (3rd gear for miles at a time in the slow/truck lane), negotiated trails from Uwharrie to Tennessee, and it was not the best nor most fun. Too slow on the highway, and too big for the east coast tight trails.
Then, I sell it to it's new owner in Co. and I, along with another Defender buddy, drive it 2k miles to him. Part of the trade involves a new LR3, which we then drive back after hitting a few trails in Co- nothing too extreme- Black Bear with some of the 'side' obstacles thrown in, etc. It did great, albeit almost too easy. BUT- the 2k mile drive home was a totally different story!!
In summary, all I can say is I just traded the JKU for a LR3, and I keep a Defender as well. And to quote from an old movie: "it just depends on where you are standing as to how smart you are." which was said after comparing classical dance music to country music ;-)
for now it's the D1 TDi.
