Defenders don't come close to competing with Jeeps. Where we interpreted my statement of government regulations forcing Jeep to loose so much heritage and modify/builders pallet qualities in 1997 to it being competition for a Defender or that Jeep is the reason everything went south in 97 beats me.
It is all in the specs. A 110 competes with full size trucks yet has proper off road ability. A 90 competes with the Bronco; a long gone vehicle. In a Jeep by the time you fill it with fluids and put bumper on it and a add some passengers you only have the payload left to carry a can of beer.
The Jeep went south because of many reasons I won't name them all; they came in waves really starting with the YJ. The big changes hit in the TJ though. You could no longer load it up heavy and feel comfortable with the suspension, you could no longer rip off the dash and revise it to your liking, etc. The heritage of Jeep was built on utilitarian move you where you need to go, farm, work, travel, back country. Jeep transitioned due to a transition in market base to the more cargo pants, clean shoes, drive to a hiking trail or pull its speed past the Eisenhower tunnel to go skiing. Government regulations and roll over lawsuits had a big step. Is Jeep proud of the change, I bet they are it made them a lot of money. North American overlanding is a very different methodology to south america, africa, australia, etc.
You are going to see a big loss in the way the defender is now. Jeep was just an example of the way society is pushing, especially in the US. You can do the same comparison to the land rover discovery. Nobody wants a slow, reduced comfort and safety but light weight, noisy, truck to load up with hay or fill up with two weeks of water food and supplies for a bush camping trip. Those of us sorry about it well we just drive old cars
. My dream is a blue series IIa 109 pickup with white top, chevy v6 engine, 5 speed manual and a dana 300 transfer case, g-wagon plaid seats, and no cup holder.
Where governments get off thinking that airbags, front end crash ratings, etc keep you safe beats me. Driving style, etiquette, responsibility, give a dam about other people, not rushing, etc. do far more.