WOW, so I went and looked at a Defender XT 10 Cab today, and the same dealer also had a used 2016 Pioneer 1000 with the hard cab installed so I was able to do a direct apples to apples comparison. There basically is no comparison. The Honda looks like just tossed some crap on there and tried to make it half assed fit. Gaps everywhere, doesn't really look that great, the dump box hits the rear window when you dump it... All in all very, very disappointed, certainly not the "Honda quality" I was expecting. The heater is also a joke. Simply a high low switch and a few vents and that's it?
The Defender cab is noticeably larger, has more leg room, the seats are more comfortable, the flip up of the seats with storage underneath is awsome, and the fold down center armrest is a nice touch. There's WAY more storage for tools, gloves, bottles of water, sun glasses, etc. etc. that always seem to end up needing a spot. The cab is actually finished inside, carpeted headliner already set up to accept a stereo, nice sliding rear window, the doors are more substantial and actually feel like they are sealing when they close. Not too mention the power windows is a nice touch. Certainly cranking the driver's window down while riding is easy, but pretty hard to lower the passenger window when you're by yourself bouncing down a trail. Again, just a nice touch, not a necessity. Another thing that really impressed me is the windshield, it will fold open completely more or less making it like it isn't even there, they said you can ride down the road like that at 50mph if you want to, but what really impressed me is you can lock it in a "cracked open" position of about 3" or so allowing some nice airflow, but yet still have the protection of the full window. We road it in the rain and with the front window cracked and the rear slider open we had a nice cooling airflow going thru the cab, but didn't get wet at all. Honda should really take note of that, especially given the "seat heat" situation I'm reading about. The Defender's motor is under the bed, so there is no heat radiating up thru the seats, obviously since you can fold up the seats if you like. The heater on the Defender is also light years ahead of the Honda, it's just like what you would expect in a car, full temperature control, 5 position fan setting, actual windshield defroster vents, side vents for defogging the side windows, regular vents blowing on you, and vents blowing on the floor for your feet.
For my purposes it's absolutely hands down the Defender, comparing the cab, which is the whole reason I'm buying a side by side, to me would be like comparing the difference in a 1960 base model Chevy pickup and a new 2016 Chevy Silverado. Like I said, when I want to "enjoy the outdoors" I'll just hop on one of my four wheelers.
I'd like to thank you again for encouraging me to check out a Defender.
