2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a sleek and sophisticated appearance, with only a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate to distinguish it from other models. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, preserving the SUV's clean lines and avoiding any unnecessary styling changes. This approach was appreciated by those who valued design integrity, even though the PHEV powertrain added $4,750 to the price.

Inside, the 2020 model 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 visual appeal. 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 good thigh support, with the panoramic glass roof adding a touch of openness to the black-on-black interior.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport continued to build on its legacy, with the second generation introduced in 2014 and refreshed in 2018. This refresh, which carried over into 2021, included the dual-screen center console that had become a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. The 2021 model offered a variety of trims, from the base SE to the high-performance SVR Carbon Edition, each with its own set of luxurious features.

Standard features on the base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Meridian sound system, and the dual-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the HSE Silver added quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system. The HSE Dynamic featured a supercharged V8 engine, while the Autobiography trim offered 22-way power-adjustable front seats and power soft-close doors. The SVR models focused on performance, with a more powerful V8 engine and sport seats.

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, often switching to the gasoline engine. This inconsistency, coupled with a confusing EV mode button, made it difficult to determine the true electric range. The PHEV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a modest improvement over previous models.

The 2021 Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, found in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured the P400 powertrain, rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition was available with a plug-in hybrid or diesel powertrain, with the P400e plug-in hybrid producing 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR models boasted 575 hp and 516 lb-ft.

All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with height-adjustable air suspension and a Terrain Response system for various driving conditions. The 2021 model's air suspension provided impressive cornering abilities and off-road capability, with a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds for most variants.

The 2020 Range Rover Sport PHEV's cargo space was compromised by the battery placement, reducing the standard 27.5-cubic-foot space behind the back seat. The raised cargo floor made it difficult to secure items, and the optional refrigerated center console bin further limited practical storage. However, the SUV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and good rear-seat support. The panoramic glass roof added a sense of openness to the interior.

The 2021 Range Rover Sport offered more versatility with a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though the 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row was limited. Both the first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, with the third row best suited for children.

The 2020 Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and sometimes frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, the lack of haptic feedback and occasional unexpected behavior made it challenging to navigate. The SUV's advanced technology required a learning curve, which could be off-putting for technophobes.

The 2021 Range Rover Sport's interior featured the dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings and the upper screen handling infotainment. While the system had a learning curve, the pair of dials integrated into the lower screen provided versatile control. The upper screen's layout was more simplified, with easy access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite some improvements, the system still required some getting used to.

The 2020 Range Rover Sport came with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the SUV's higher center of gravity and adaptive air suspension could cause head-toss on uneven pavement. The lane-keeping assist system was also abrupt, leading to the decision to turn off some lane-discipline features. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the SUV's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security.

The 2021 Range Rover Sport included standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were available at an extra cost. Other options included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a head-up display.