2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport PHEV exuded luxury with high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive presence. The interior offered excellent front-seat comfort with heated and ventilated seats, though the narrow inboard armrests were less comfortable. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and a panoramic glass roof, which brightened the black-on-black interior.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could sport different looks, such as painted or exposed fenders and various top options. The Wrangler's design made it unmistakable on the road, appealing to those who appreciated its rugged, toy-like appearance.

Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient way to enjoy the open-air experience. The cabin also included drain plugs for easy cleaning, making it practical for off-road adventures.

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 stay in EV mode, likely due to factors like climate control usage and hilly terrain. The SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a notable improvement over previous models.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. The regenerative brakes worked well but were grabby, making smooth stops challenging. The SUV retained its off-roading capability, with an 8-speed automatic transmission, permanent 4WD, and multiple traction settings. However, recharging the battery proved frustrating, with inconsistent results from a standard household outlet.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including the standard 3.6-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar.

The Wrangler's engines routed power to one of three 4WD systems, with the Rubicon featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 275 hp and up to 22 miles of electric range. The Rubicon 392's V8 engine provided impressive power for both on-road and off-road driving, with a beefed-up frame, 2-inch lift, and upgraded brakes. The dual-mode performance exhaust added to the driving experience, emitting a satisfying rumble.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price tag came with a compromise in cargo space. The battery's placement under the raised cargo floor reduced the already tight 27.5-cubic-foot space behind the back seat. The cargo area was prone to items falling out when the tailgate was opened, necessitating secure storage.

Despite the limited cargo space, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comfortably accommodated five passengers. The front seats were heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable, though the narrow inboard armrests were less comfortable. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and good thigh support, with 4-zone automatic climate control adding to the comfort. The panoramic glass roof brightened the interior, and gesture control operated the sunshade, though the button on the headliner was more reliable.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulation. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph.

The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cabin also included drain plugs for easy cleaning, making it practical for off-road adventures.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system could be frustrating, even for tech-savvy users. Despite spending time setting up the system, it occasionally behaved unpredictably, showing information not requested or exhibiting delayed reactions. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the frustration. While the system managed the vehicle's complexity, it could be confusing and bemusing at times.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim came with a basic 5-inch screen, but the 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was recommended. The 7-inch screen was optional on the Sport S and standard on other trims, with an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect screen available. The larger screens featured crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, with radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), but the onboard technology could be distracting. The new steering-assist system in the optional Driver Assist Package could induce head-toss, especially when negotiating curves at high speeds. The lane-keeping assist system worked too abruptly, leading to its deactivation. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The exposed roll cages, once impressive, were now overshadowed by more advanced safety features in other vehicles.