2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate. Land Rover cleverly integrated the charging port into the grille, maintaining the SUV's sleek design without any unnecessary styling changes. This approach was appreciated, as it kept the vehicle's aesthetic appeal intact, despite the added cost of the hybrid powertrain. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive presence. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Explorer maintained a family resemblance with other Ford SUVs, featuring a sporty, raked beltline and distinctive front-end design. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying degrees of exterior and interior refinement. The base model started at $32,925, while the top-tier Platinum trim reached $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large, easy-to-use knobs and buttons for the audio and climate controls. The center console housed a rotary gearshift, freeing up space for storage.

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 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, often switching to the gasoline engine. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg over a 28.4-mile stretch in hybrid mode but dropped to 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop. The Range Rover Sport PHEV featured an adaptive air suspension, various driving modes, and 21-inch wheels, providing a comfortable and athletic driving experience. It retained the standard model's off-roading capabilities, with an 8-speed automatic transmission and permanent 4WD system. However, recharging the battery proved frustrating, often failing to reach full capacity overnight.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, offered a range of powertrains. The base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims came with a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All trims used a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's cargo space was compromised by the battery placement, reducing the standard model's 27.5-cubic-foot space behind the back seat. The raised cargo floor made it difficult to secure items, which could fall out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the SUV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle featured 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing the interior experience.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed 39 inches of legroom, competitive with other SUVs in its class. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, but overall cargo volume with the rear seats folded was 81 cubic feet, less than some competitors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and occasionally frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, the touchscreen often behaved unpredictably, lacking haptic feedback. While the technology was necessary to manage the vehicle's complexity, it could be bewildering for technophobes.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with features like AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), but the technology could be distracting. The optional Driver Assist Package included a new steering-assist system, which could induce head-toss on uneven pavement. The lane-keeping assist system was also abrupt, leading to its deactivation during the test. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The base model included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, featuring auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.