2020 Jeep Renegade 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's low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover look. Despite its SUV status, the Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which also enhanced its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive stance.

Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim that suited urban environments. The cockpit-like feel was achieved through a tall, sloping instrument panel and door panels, making occupants feel enveloped within the vehicle. The Velar's interior design emphasized luxury and modernity, offering a sophisticated driving experience.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep design elements, including round headlights, a 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a range of trims, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with special editions like the Jeepster and High Altitude. The High Altitude trim, tested at $36,515, featured extras like dark gray 19-inch wheels and a dual-pane panoramic roof, giving it a more mature appearance. Despite its upscale touches, the Renegade's interior was dominated by hard plastics, which detracted from its overall luxury feel.

The Renegade's interior felt spacious due to its boxy design and panoramic roof, creating an open atmosphere. The driver's seat was adjustable for comfort, but rear passengers faced cramped conditions. Practical storage was limited, and cargo space was modest, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded. Despite these limitations, the Renegade's design and features made it a compelling choice for those seeking a small SUV with a strong personality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a 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, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration.

The Velar's Dynamic Edition included enhancements like bigger brakes, retuned four-wheel drive, and an active exhaust system, but it didn't fully transform the Velar into a performance SUV. The aluminum platform provided a solid and refined ride, but the Velar felt large on tight roads, making it less agile in corners. The V8 engine, however, delivered thrilling acceleration and sound on straightaways. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, but its single-speed transfer case and road-focused tires limited its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, tested in the Renegade, provided energetic performance with peak torque at 1,750 rpm. However, turbo lag and a nine-speed automatic transmission focused on fuel economy led to inconsistent power delivery. The Renegade's Active Drive AWD system improved traction, but the turbo required premium fuel and delivered lower-than-expected fuel economy at 23.6 mpg.

The Renegade's driving dynamics were mixed, with a flinty ride and noisy cabin making highway driving less enjoyable. In urban settings, the Renegade was more agreeable, but the powertrain's on/off nature required careful management. The Trailhawk trim offered the best off-road capability, aligning with Jeep's rugged reputation.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar didn't offer more interior space, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, including a chopped roof, limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel inside. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, but the center console was easily accessible. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models rated at 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's boxy design contributed to a spacious interior feel, with a distant windshield and vertical side glass enhancing the sense of openness. The panoramic glass roof added to the airy atmosphere. The driver's seat was adjustable for comfort, but rear passengers faced cramped conditions. Practical storage was limited, and cargo space was modest, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded. Despite these limitations, the Renegade's design and features made it a compelling choice for those seeking a small SUV with a strong personality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade impressed with its technology, featuring the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Despite its age, Uconnect remained user-friendly, with volume and tuning knobs and logically arranged menu buttons. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a WiFi hotspot. The Renegade also offered a comprehensive driver information center and a parking assist system for added convenience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low priority for crash testing. 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 options. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection. The IIHS awarded the Renegade commendable scores but did not maintain its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.