2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Ford Explorer presented a refined and athletic appearance, with its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly striking. 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 maintained its reputation for luxury and capability. With its origins rooted in rugged off-road vehicles, the Range Rover combined luxury with stout 4x4 underpinnings. The current generation, introduced in 2012, offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, with options for standard or long wheelbase configurations. The Range Rover's interior featured leather seating, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, with options for heated and ventilated seats, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a front console refrigerator. The SVAutobiography trim stood out with unique styling and nearly every available feature.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The rear-wheel-drive chassis provided balanced weight distribution, enhancing handling and ride quality. The Explorer's powertrain delivered smooth and addictive power, with a 10-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. The Explorer's towing capacity varied, with the V6 AWD capable of towing up to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer also offered seven drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its versatility.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover provided a diverse selection of powertrains, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with a mild-hybrid system, a turbodiesel V6, and a supercharged 5.0-liter V8. The SVAutobiography Dynamic trim featured a 557-horsepower V8, offering impressive acceleration. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and automatic load leveling provided a comfortable ride, while its off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response System, offering multiple drive modes for various conditions.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered ample interior space, with comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the third row. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, enhancing comfort. 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 physical controls for climate and stereo were user-friendly, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, with seating for five or four with optional second-row captain's chairs. The SWB version provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover's hands-free power liftgate and two-piece configuration facilitated loading large items. The center-console compartment and door storage provided additional convenience, though cargo space was less than some competitors.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 high-resolution and well-organized, it lacked customization options and felt unfinished. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but was less refined than competitors' systems.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, with two touchscreens for navigation, phone, stereo, and climate controls. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu, though it required a learning curve. The Range Rover also included a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer included Ford Co-Pilot 360 with 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 received an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered standard safety features such as low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Range Rover's safety features were comprehensive, though some competitors offered more standard equipment.