2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a handsome vehicle, more so than the Land Rover Discovery, which had mimicked Ford's style years after the previous-generation Explorer debuted in 2011. The 2020 model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels, especially at the rear, giving it a lower and more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly striking.

However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt subpar. The leather resembled low-grade vinyl, and the door panels were covered in flimsy, rough-grained plastic. The center stack and console were framed with more hard plastic, and fake carbon-fiber trim intersected with coarse plastic. While the top of the dashboard was padded and the aluminum speaker covers and white stitching added some flair, the overall feel was not luxurious. The Explorer's interior did not justify its high cost, especially when compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, which offered better interiors at lower prices.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a subtle exterior, with only a "P400e" badge on the tailgate differentiating it from other versions. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the vehicle's sleek design. This approach was appreciated, as it kept the vehicle's aesthetics intact while incorporating the hybrid powertrain, which added $4,750 to the price.

Starting at $79,000, the Range Rover Sport PHEV included HSE trim, with the non-hybrid SE trim available for less than $70,000. My test vehicle, with nearly $13,000 in options, totaled $93,200. The Firenze Red paint, black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels enhanced the SUV's inherent good looks, giving it a commanding presence. Inside, the cabin was filled with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's price. However, the technology and functionality of these materials sometimes fell short, as detailed in the review.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing better weight distribution than the previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. The ST trim, tuned by Ford Performance, featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's ride quality was commendable, with precise steering and flat cornering, making it a nimble machine. The powertrain delivered smooth, addictive power, with the option of all-wheel drive (AWD) on all trims. The Explorer's towing capacity varied, with the hybrid powertrain towing 5,000 pounds, the 4-cylinder towing up to 5,300 pounds, and the V6 with AWD handling 5,600 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, my test vehicle struggled to stay in EV mode, possibly due to climate control use or excessive acceleration. The SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a 6.5-mpg improvement over the previous model's supercharged V6. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration, adaptive air suspension, and various driving modes, making it athletic on mountain roads and comfortable on highways. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, and the steering-assist system could be overly aggressive.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample space for passengers and cargo. On a road trip to Maine, the Explorer comfortably accommodated my parents and me, along with our camera gear. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof, making it feel like first class. The third row was spacious enough for six-foot-tall adults on short journeys. The cargo area measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded, making it one of the largest in its class. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls were user-friendly, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras were drawbacks.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had a compromised cargo area due to the battery beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the space to 27.5 cubic feet. The cargo area was prone to items falling out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comfortably seated five people. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable, though the narrow inboard armrests were uncomfortable. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and good thigh support, with 4-zone automatic climate control enhancing comfort. The panoramic glass roof brightened the black-on-black interior, and gesture control operated the sunshade.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Factory navigation was standard on all models except the base XLT. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The keyless entry keypad allowed for convenient access without carrying keys. My test car featured a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, making navigation easier. However, the system lacked innovation, with updates only available through an external WiFi connection. The instrument panel had fun animations but limited customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was not as effective as competitors' systems.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and sometimes frustrating. Despite spending time setting it up, I occasionally struggled to access specific features. The system sometimes behaved unexpectedly, and the lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen was a drawback. While the touchscreen technology managed the vehicle's complexity, it could be confusing and bemusing. Technophobes might find the Range Rover Sport challenging to drive.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though the latter activated falsely during my test. A passenger front knee airbag was standard. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer as Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the vehicle's higher center of gravity and adaptive air suspension could cause head-toss on uneven pavement. The lane-keeping assist system was abrupt, leading me to turn off the lane-discipline features. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Range Rover Sport's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.