2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a sleek and sophisticated appearance, with only a subtle “P400e” badge distinguishing it from other models. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, preserving the SUV's clean lines. This design choice reflected Land Rover's understanding that aesthetic appeal is crucial for buyers, especially when the powertrain already added a significant cost. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its inherent good looks. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, providing a luxurious feel that matched its price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its bold design, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its distinctive look. The Highlander XSE trim introduced a sportier front end, 20-inch wheels, and a unique front fascia, although it didn't match the performance of sportier rivals. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, offered chrome accents and an upscale appearance, with a well-finished interior featuring tan leather seats and wood details, creating a luxurious ambiance.

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, possibly due to climate control use or hilly terrain. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg over a 28.4-mile EV range and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, outperforming previous models but potentially falling short of the new turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine's efficiency. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration, adaptive air suspension, and various driving modes, making it agile on mountain roads and comfortable on highways. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, and the EV mode's complexity could be frustrating.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not a performance powerhouse, it provided smooth and predictable operation, suitable for family use. The Highlander measured up well against competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot, offering comparable horsepower and torque. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained a comfortable, family-focused crossover. Its soft suspension contributed to a smooth ride, though it could feel lumbering through corners.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price came with a trade-off 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, making it less practical for carrying larger items. However, it comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle's 4-zone automatic climate control and panoramic glass roof added to the comfort and appeal, though practical storage was limited.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured large shelves ahead of the front seats for easy storage of cell phones and other items, with a pass-through for charging cords. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to balance space between rows. The third row could accommodate adults with some compromise from the second row. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down, offering plenty of room for various needs.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use, even for tech-savvy drivers. Despite spending time setting it up, the system occasionally behaved unexpectedly, and the lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the challenge. While it provided easy access to primary functions, the overall experience could be bewildering for some users.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered a more user-friendly technology experience. Lower trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim and above offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both systems were easy to use, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen in the test car was bright, crisp, and fast, though navigation struggled with points of interest. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality, and the inclusion of volume and tuning knobs added to the convenience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which were essential given the potential distractions from its onboard technology. The optional Driver Assist Package included a new steering-assist system, which could be aggressive and induce head-toss, especially on uneven pavement. The lane-keeping assist system also worked abruptly, leading to a preference for turning off these features. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the SUV's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), highlighting its strong safety credentials.