2020 Acura MDX vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover family, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, while the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad and intimidating front end. Despite its performance car-like short overhangs, the Velar boasted impressive off-road capabilities with up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance when equipped with air suspension. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and optional 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 namesake, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that made occupants feel more integrated into the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura MDX was a well-designed crossover SUV, though its styling was not groundbreaking. It blended in seamlessly without drawing too much attention, which was sometimes a desirable trait. Acura's Jewel Eye LED headlights added a touch of sophistication to the front, with five LED elements per side. The MDX's sleek and low-slung design, along with flawless paint and chrome, contributed to its overall appeal. Inside, the MDX offered a modern and simple look, with a center stack featuring twin infotainment screens and a high-quality fit and finish. The MDX's interior felt solid and well-built, with authoritative knobs and switches, providing a rewarding tactile experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Land Rover claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph for this 4,595-pound SUV. Despite its power, the Velar was not the quickest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering faster acceleration. The Dynamic Edition also featured bigger brakes, retuned four-wheel drive, and an active exhaust system, enhancing its performance capabilities. However, the Velar's chassis felt less sharp than other performance SUVs, and its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with options including a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6. The Velar retained its off-road prowess with features like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options: a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-liter V6 engine with three electric motors, delivering a total of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The MDX displayed good straight-line performance, with the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhancing its cornering capabilities through torque vectoring. This feature improved handling and made the MDX more enjoyable to drive quickly. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, making it a suitable choice for long journeys.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but smaller than midsize counterparts like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite its size, the Velar did not offer more interior space than its smaller competitors. The GLC had more front and rear legroom, while the X3 provided more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including a chopped roof, limited headroom and created a claustrophobic feeling inside. Visibility was also a challenge due to the tall hood and limited side glass. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, offered practicality and functionality for families. It featured sliding and reclining second-row seats, making access to the third row easier and allowing for flexible legroom distribution. The MDX provided 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, which expanded to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The interior boasted various storage options, including a big glove box, a flexible center console, and door panel pockets. The MDX's tri-zone climate control allowed for separate heating and cooling options for different cabin areas, enhancing comfort for all passengers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a built-in WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system received praise for its high-quality graphics and menu layout but was criticized for slow response times. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, which fit the minimalist cabin design.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a simplified trim level system with packages full of technology features. The base MDX came equipped with Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added features like rain-sensing windshield wipers, navigation with Acura Real-Time Traffic, GPS-linked climate control, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included additional tech features such as a surround-view camera system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a head-up warning. The Entertainment Package offered a rear entertainment system with a DVD player and wireless headphones.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar did not have safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA due to its low-volume luxury status. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with standard AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included a head-up warning. The MDX featured a sophisticated body design called "Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure," designed to absorb crash impact. The IIHS rated the MDX as "good" in crash-test categories and "superior" for front crash prevention, while the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.