2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 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 its high price, the materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury expected at its price point, making it feel overpriced compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury both inside and out. Its timeless design, with hallmark features like blacked-out pillars and clean lines, gave it a classic yet modern look. Inside, the Range Rover offered a high-contrast, mid-century modern ambiance with quality materials. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as intuitive as newer systems, requiring patience and practice to master. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a luxurious feel, though it required a more measured approach to driving due to its weight and tall center of gravity.

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. Its rear-wheel-drive chassis provided balanced handling, and the ST's suspension and steering upgrades made it nimble and responsive. The Explorer's powertrain delivered smooth and addictive power, with a towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine and a gas-electric hybrid option, though the latter did not provide significant fuel economy benefits.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover provided multiple powertrain options, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Its four-wheel-drive system and Terrain Response 2 traction control ensured off-road capability, though the test vehicle was not pushed to its limits. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, but its steering was slow and syrupy, and the vehicle's weight and height contributed to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The Range Rover averaged 18.5 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 20 mpg.

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 were intuitive, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension included a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though the second row lacked comfort and adjustability. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but storage space was limited, with a small refrigerated center-console bin and minimal luggage volume. The Range Rover offered 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

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 well-organized, it lacked customization options, and the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system was not as effective as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup and practice to use effectively. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for additional convenience. The technology required patience but offered numerous features once mastered.

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 scored Acceptable in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added features like 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.