2021 BMW X7 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a classic design, with no overt styling changes to distinguish it from its non-hybrid counterparts. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the SUV's sleek appearance. This approach was appreciated by those who valued design continuity, even though the hybrid powertrain added a significant cost. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200, included options like Firenze Red paint and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, although some features, like the narrow armrests, were less practical.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X7 was noted for its luxurious interior and technological sophistication. The test vehicle, equipped with the Cold Weather Package, offered heated front seats, armrests, and a steering wheel, ensuring comfort even in cold conditions. The second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable, and the third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating for adults. The power clamshell tailgate revealed a smaller cargo space compared to class leaders, but the overall interior was considered decadent, with features like premium extended leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, possibly due to factors like climate control usage or hilly terrain. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg over a 28.4-mile test loop in EV mode, but the gas engine engaged before reaching the promised range. Over a 60-mile loop, it averaged 25.5 mpg, a slight improvement over previous models. The Range Rover Sport PHEV featured an adaptive air suspension and various driving modes, providing a balance of athleticism and comfort. However, the regenerative brakes were somewhat grabby, making smooth stops challenging. The SUV retained its off-roading capabilities, with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a permanent 4WD system, but recharging the battery was a source of frustration, often not reaching full capacity after 14 hours of charging.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The eBoost mild-hybrid technology added a 48-volt starter/generator and a second battery, which recharged through coasting and regenerative braking. This system aimed to improve fuel economy and responsiveness during acceleration. However, the official EPA ratings for the X7 xDrive40i were slightly lower than expected, with 19.8 mpg achieved during testing in Sport mode. Despite this, the X7 delivered ample power, reaching 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The Dynamic Handling Package, including M Sport brakes and Active Comfort Drive, contributed to a smooth and stable driving experience, although the self-leveling air suspension struggled with body motions on winding roads. The X7's driving character was dynamic, and the vehicle was easy to maneuver, but the lane-maintenance system occasionally showed reactive behavior.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had a compromised cargo space due to the battery placement beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the standard 27.5-cubic-foot space. This made it challenging to store items without them falling out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the SUV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with heated and ventilated front seats offering excellent comfort. The panoramic glass roof added a sense of space to the black-on-black interior, and the gesture-controlled sunshade was a convenient feature. However, the narrow, adjustable inboard armrests were not as comfortable as the center console armrest.

The 2021 BMW X7's interior was described as luxurious, with the test vehicle featuring the Cold Weather Package, premium extended leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Front-seat comfort was outstanding, with standard heated seats, armrests, and a steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable, and the third-row seats were surprisingly spacious for adults, although accessing them required some maneuvering of the power seats. The X7's cargo space was smaller than class leaders, with 90.4 cubic feet available when the second row was folded down. The power clamshell tailgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was challenging for those not comfortable with technology. Despite spending time setting up the system, it occasionally behaved unexpectedly, displaying information not requested or responding slowly to input. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the confusion. However, the system did offer access to essential functions like climate control and audio settings while maintaining a modern interior aesthetic.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation paired with the iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both using a 12.3-inch display. The system included Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic data and a WiFi hotspot. Wireless smartphone charging and a natural voice-recognition system were also available, along with gesture control, which was sometimes inconsistent. The head-up display was a useful feature, although it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. Overall, the technology offered a better user experience than previous iterations, but it could still be distracting while driving.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV came equipped with various ADAS, including a new steering-assist system in the optional Driver Assist Package. However, the lane-keeping assist system was found to be too abrupt, and the steering-assist technology could be overly aggressive, leading to a sensation of head-toss for passengers. Despite these issues, the Range Rover Sport PHEV's heavy battery and electric motor helped lower its center of gravity, and the adaptive air suspension worked to limit excessive body motions. The SUV's weight provided an advantage in collisions, as mass is a significant factor in crash safety.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included Active Driving Assistant Pro, which offered partially automated steering input on limited-access highways and at speeds under 40 mph. While the technology generally worked well, there were instances where the lane-maintenance system was reactive rather than proactive. The Parking Assistance Package included a drive recorder system, a surround-view camera, and a parking assistant.