2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a design that was almost identical to its non-hybrid siblings, with a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate as the only differentiator. The absence of excessive styling changes, aerodynamic alterations, or an obvious charging-port door maintained its sleek appearance. The charging port ingeniously integrated into the grille was a clever touch, keeping the design clean and sophisticated.

Priced at $79,000 for the PHEV model due to the included HSE trim, the Range Rover Sport could climb upwards of $93,200 when fully loaded with options like the Firenze Red paint, black roof, and striking 21-inch aluminum wheels. The interior of the Range Rover Sport exuded quality, with premium materials reflecting its high price tag, a feature not always guaranteed in luxury vehicles.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura MDX was a well-designed crossover SUV, although it didn’t boast groundbreaking or breathtaking styling. Its aesthetic was pleasing without being attention-grabbing, making it a vehicle that fit in seamlessly in various settings. Acura’s Jewel Eye headlights, featuring five LED elements per side, added a touch of richness to the front fascia, complemented by the prominent trapezoidal grille and sizable Acura logo.

The MDX’s sleek and low-slung profile, chiseled details, and flawless paint and chrome gave it a refined look. Inside, the MDX showcased a modern and simple interior design devoid of excessive padding and stitching. The center stack was a highlight with its dual infotainment screens and a neat arrangement of buttons and a command wheel.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-horsepower electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a combined 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claims of a 31-mile all-electric range, the real-world performance often fell short due to various factors like climate control usage and terrain.

Driving the Range Rover Sport PHEV in its hybrid mode resulted in more consistent performance, averaging 25.5 miles per gallon on a 60-mile loop, which was a notable improvement over its non-hybrid counterparts. The SUV offered quick acceleration, and its adaptive air suspension along with upgraded 21-inch wheels and tires provided an athletic yet comfortable driving experience. Despite its weight of 5,400 pounds, the regenerative brakes performed effectively, though they tended to be grabby.

Off-road capabilities remained robust, with features like 8-speed automatic transmission, permanent 4-wheel drive, and adjustable air suspension ensuring traversing challenging terrains and fording up to 33.4 inches of water was achievable. However, charging the PHEV’s battery proved less reliable, with full charges often not reached despite sufficient plug-in times.

The 2020 Acura MDX, available with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, provided solid straight-line performance and nimble handling, especially with the SH-AWD system. This powertrain, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and torque-vectoring technology during cornering maneuvers made the MDX remarkably stable and responsive.

An alternative powertrain, the MDX Sport Hybrid, featuring a 3.0-liter V6 engine and three electric motors, delivered a combined 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The MDX handled comfortably and remained composed over long drives, with a well-tuned suspension system absorbing road imperfections efficiently.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had limited cargo space due to the battery placement under the raised cargo floor, reducing the already modest 27.5 cubic feet of space. Securing items in the cargo area was essential to prevent them from rolling out when opening the tailgate. However, it comfortably seated five passengers, with high-quality front seats that were heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable. The rear seats offered good thigh support and a tall riding position. The panoramic glass roof added a touch of openness to the black interior, and optional features like the 4-zone climate control system were a hit with passengers.

The 2020 Acura MDX excelled in terms of cargo space and overall interior functionality. With 15.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 90.9 cubic feet with the second row folded, the MDX offered excellent cargo capacity. The interior was thoughtfully designed with various storage compartments, including a big glove box, a flexible center console, and door panel pockets. The three rows provided ample headroom, and the sliding and reclining second-row seats facilitated easy access to the third row.

Tri-zone climate control ensured comfortable temperatures for all occupants, and luxury touches like metal and soft-touch materials added to the MDX’s premium feel.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, packed with complex technology that could overwhelm users. Despite spending considerable time setting up the system, occasional operational issues persisted, such as unexpected displays or delayed responses. The touchscreens lacked haptic feedback, further complicating their use, making the SUV potentially frustrating for those less tech-savvy.

The 2020 Acura MDX, on the other hand, offered a simplified trim structure with a focus on technology-rich packages. The base model included standard features like Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text messaging, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Technology Package added navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote start, and a premium audio system with 10 speakers. The Advance Package enhanced the tech suite with features like a surround-view camera, Head-Up Warning, heated rear seats, and more.

For those wanting advanced entertainment options, the Entertainment Package offered a DVD rear entertainment system with screens up to 16.2 inches, additional speakers, and wireless headphones, making the MDX a tech-lover’s delight.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV came equipped with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which were crucial due to the vehicle’s reliance on complex onboard technology. However, the steering-assist feature in the Driver Assist Package sometimes acted too aggressively, causing discomfort for passengers. The lane-keeping assist system also operated abruptly, contributing to a somewhat unsettling driving experience at times. Due to its high weight, the Range Rover Sport was inherently advantageous in collisions, although official crash-test ratings were not available.

The 2020 Acura MDX was well-equipped with safety features, coming standard with AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Additional packages added blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera, and Head-Up Warning. Acura’s Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure was designed to absorb and redirect crash energy to protect occupants.

The MDX received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with the IIHS rating it “good” in all crash categories and “superior” for front crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.