2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a refined, upscale design that was both utilitarian and athletic. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and prominent face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point, making it less appealing compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a unique blend of sleek styling and luxury. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, while the broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers. The Velar's interior was a testament to modern luxury, with high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim creating a sophisticated atmosphere. The cockpit-like feel of the interior, with its tall, sloping instrument panel, provided a unique driving experience. However, the avant-garde styling came at the cost of interior space, with limited headroom and a somewhat claustrophobic feel.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis that provided a balanced and dynamic driving experience. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth and addictive power, with impressive handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine choice. The Explorer's seven drive modes allowed for optimal performance in various conditions.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a V8 engine for the first time in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, with impressive body control and braking. The rest of the powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both offering respectable performance.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space, offering ample room for passengers and cargo. The second row felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was more spacious than previous models, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short trips. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's interior featured physical knobs and switches for easy control, though thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created some visibility issues.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, sacrificed some interior space for its design. It offered competitive cargo space with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. However, the chopped roof limited headroom and created a claustrophobic feel. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, with limited legroom. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was well-organized, it lacked innovation, and system updates required an external WiFi connection. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ offered semi-automated driving features, but its performance was not as refined as competitors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, and smartphone compatibility. The system offered high-quality graphics and a well-laid-out menu but suffered from slow response times. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, which fit the minimalist cabin design but were prone to reflecting sunlight.

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. The Explorer had not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. Land Rover's driver-assist offerings were less sophisticated than some competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.