2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a seamless design, indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for a discreet “P400e” badge on the tailgate. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, avoiding any unnecessary styling changes that could detract from its appeal. This approach underscored Land Rover's understanding of the importance of design in vehicle selection, ensuring the PHEV remained attractive despite its higher price point. The test vehicle, adorned with nearly $13,000 in options, including a striking Firenze Red paint and 21-inch aluminum wheels, exuded a commanding presence. Inside, the cabin was a testament to quality, with premium materials reflecting the vehicle's price tag, although some functional aspects left room for improvement.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a familiar look, with styling largely carried over from its predecessor. The most notable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru's decision to maintain the Forester's boxy, upright shape resonated with SUV shoppers seeking practicality. The Forester Sport model, with its orange accents and black 18-inch alloy wheels, offered a subtle yet impactful visual upgrade. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, ensuring a rugged yet familiar driving experience. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior, accented with orange trim in the Sport model, promised durability over aesthetics, catering to active lifestyles.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder 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, possibly due to climate control usage or hilly terrain. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg over 28.4 miles in EV mode and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, outperforming previous models but potentially overshadowed by the new mild-hybrid inline 6-cylinder engine. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, and the SUV's off-roading capabilities remained intact, with a 4WD system and multiple traction settings. Recharging the battery proved frustrating, with inconsistent results from a standard outlet.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired power for highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension prioritized comfort over handling, resulting in noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. Standard AWD and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. The Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and hill-descent control on higher trims further bolstered its rugged appeal, though it fell short of more off-road-focused competitors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's cargo space was compromised by the battery placement, reducing the already limited 27.5-cubic-foot area behind the rear seats. Despite this, the SUV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a panoramic glass roof enhancing the interior ambiance. However, practical storage was limited, and the optional refrigerated center console bin further reduced space. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a high seating position and good thigh support, with 4-zone automatic climate control adding to the comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall, flat roofline, which also provided excellent visibility. With 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, the Forester surpassed many competitors. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured practical storage solutions, though the phone cubby was small, and wireless charging was unavailable. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel's numerous buttons could be confusing.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex, requiring time to master. Despite efforts to customize settings, the system occasionally behaved unpredictably, with delayed responses and a lack of haptic feedback. While the technology managed the vehicle's complexity, it could frustrate even tech-savvy drivers, making it unsuitable for technophobes.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's Starlink infotainment system was straightforward, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added an 8-inch screen and premium audio. The system's graphics and analog controls were well-designed, though the screen was slow to start. Additional displays provided secondary information, but the setup felt overly complex, with redundant information across screens.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included numerous ADAS features, though the steering-assist system could be intrusive. The SUV's high center of gravity and adaptive air suspension contributed to head-toss, requiring smooth driving to mitigate. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's substantial weight offered some reassurance in collisions.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard EyeSight technology included adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring. The Forester's driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, ensured attentive driving, setting it apart from competitors.