2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 presented a refined and modern aesthetic, with its updated front and rear styling aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle, a Q7 55 TFSI in Prestige trim, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint and 20-inch turbine-style wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, adorned in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech ambiance, further enhanced by multi-color ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover maintained its timeless design, drawing on its heritage while offering modern luxury. The test vehicle, an HSE Westminster special edition, showcased a Byron Blue exterior with silver 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Range Rover's Ivory-color interior provided a high-contrast, mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained appealing, with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling lines. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, though comprehensive, was less intuitive than newer systems, requiring patience and familiarity to navigate effectively.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI was equipped with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered improved fuel efficiency and performance. The Q7 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. Its adaptive air suspension and Audi Drive Select system provided a comfortable and agile driving experience, with various modes to suit different driving conditions. The Q7 averaged 21 mpg during testing, demonstrating its efficiency.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover HSE Westminster featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Its four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, though its steering was less responsive, and its weight and center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. The Range Rover averaged 18.5 mpg during testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 20 mpg combined.

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered three rows of seats, but its third row was best suited for children. With the third row folded, cargo capacity increased from 14.2 to 35.7 cubic feet, and up to 69.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Q7's interior was comfortable for a family of four, with heated and ventilated front seats and ample second-row legroom. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and door-panel bins providing minimal space for personal items.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension featured a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers still found entry challenging. The front seats were luxurious, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. The Range Rover's cargo space was limited to 25 cubic feet, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage space was also limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response system, combining a 10.1-inch and an 8.6-inch touchscreen for system access. It included natural voice recognition, wireless smartphone integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the system was generally intuitive, dry fingertips occasionally caused unresponsive virtual buttons. The Prestige trim featured a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though polarized sunglasses rendered the display invisible.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's digital instrumentation and infotainment system, with two 10-inch touchscreens, offered numerous features but was not entirely intuitive. The system required setup to avoid distractions while driving, and the head-up display was also invisible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover's technology included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for assistance with the InControl system.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured advanced driving-assistance systems, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign-recognition system occasionally misread signs, causing unexpected braking. The Q7 received high safety ratings from the IIHS, except for its "poor" headlight assessment.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in traffic.