2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was a vehicle that stood out on the road with its iconic design. It featured circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and a boxy shape that gave it an industrial look. The Wrangler's design allowed for a foldable windshield and removable doors, adding to its rugged persona. The removable top further enhanced its image as a recreational utility vehicle rather than a typical commuter car. Inside, the Wrangler embraced a retro style with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility with a touch of style. The trims ranged from the basic Sport with manual windows to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon, each offering varying levels of comfort and capability.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged origins to a symbol of luxury. Starting at $92,000, it offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the potential to reach $250,000 with upgrades. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless look with hallmark design cues and a luxurious interior. The cabin exuded luxury with its high-contrast design and quality materials, although the infotainment system required some acclimatization. The Range Rover was a blend of modern luxury and classic design, appealing to those seeking a prestigious driving experience.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual was standard, with an 8-speed automatic available. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine provided 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel delivered 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine excelled in low-speed torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. However, the Wrangler's on-road experience was noisy and rough, akin to driving a truck. Despite its quirks, the Wrangler excelled off-road, with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting sway bar enhancing its trail capabilities. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, offering a marked improvement over the gas-powered versions.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system and Terrain Response 2 traction control ensured off-road prowess, although the test vehicle was not pushed to its limits. The Range Rover provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension filtering road harshness. However, its steering was slow and the vehicle's weight and height contributed to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated the Range Rover's fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with the test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was available in two-door and four-door configurations, with the latter being more popular. The Wrangler's doors and windshield were removable, and the roof could be dropped or removed in various ways. The base soft top was easy to retract, while the hardtop offered more protection but required storage space. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered, less than some less-capable SUVs. Despite its limited cargo space, the Wrangler's off-road capabilities set it apart from other SUVs.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. The Range Rover offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats, but storage space was limited. The cargo area provided 25 cubic feet of space, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, less than some compact SUVs. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available on higher trims, along with an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology was centered around three digital displays, offering numerous features and functions. The InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system required some acclimatization, as it was not entirely intuitive. The system's two 10-inch touchscreens could be distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.