2021 BMW X7 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, 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, and the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad front end and short overhangs for better off-road capability. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes, quad exhaust tips, and standard 21-inch wheels, enhancing its aggressive look.

Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 namesake, featuring high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim. The design was more suited to urban environments, with a tall, sloping instrument panel and door panels creating a cockpit-like feel. Unlike most SUVs, the Velar's seating position made occupants feel like they were sitting in the vehicle rather than on top of it, adding to its unique appeal.

The 2021 BMW X7, on the other hand, was a standout in its class, offering superior interior quality and technological sophistication. It boasted more prestige than competitors like the Infiniti QX80 and Lincoln Navigator, and its visual presence was significant compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium leather, and a host of luxury options, resulting in a price of $91,745.

The X7's styling was bold, with a massive grille that suited its large SUV stature. Inside, it shared design elements with the X5, offering high-tech features, high-quality materials, and mostly intuitive controls. The X7's interior was luxurious, with heated and ventilated seats, a leather-wrapped dashboard, and a suede headliner. Despite its size, the X7 was easy to maneuver, thanks to features like Integral Active Steering, and it provided a smooth and serene ride, making it a top choice for those seeking luxury and comfort.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, which featured 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 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph for this 4,595-pound SUV. Despite these impressive figures, 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 Velar's Dynamic Edition also included bigger brakes, retuned four-wheel drive and air-suspension logic, and an active exhaust system. While these upgrades added speed and body control, the Velar's chassis didn't feel as sharp as other performance SUVs, and its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup remained unchanged, with a base 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 247 hp, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 available in two power outputs. The Velar also featured Land Rover's Terrain Response system for off-road capability, although it lacked a low range and had road-focused wheel-and-tire combinations.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The engine was enhanced with BMW's eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery to improve fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite this, the X7's fuel economy ratings dropped slightly compared to the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The X7 xDrive40i accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering ample power for most driving situations. The SUV's self-leveling air suspension and Dynamic Handling Package provided a comfortable ride, although excessive body motions were noted during spirited driving. The X7 excelled in providing a smooth and serene driving experience, with features like Active Comfort Drive and Integral Active Steering enhancing comfort and maneuverability. The X7's nearly 5,400-pound curb weight was noticeable on highways, but it still demonstrated effortless speed and fluidity, making it a pleasure to drive.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. The Velar's avant-garde styling, with its chopped roof, limited headroom and side glass, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious and spacious interior, equipped with features like heated rear seats, five-zone climate control, and premium Merino leather upholstery. Front-seat comfort was outstanding, with heated and ventilated seats, while the second-row captain's chairs provided exceptional comfort. The X7's third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, with a four-zone automatic climate control system ensuring individual comfort levels. Cargo space was limited behind the third-row seat but expanded to 48.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 90.4 cubic feet with the second-row folded.

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 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 but was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 BMW X7 was equipped with BMW's Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both featuring 12.3-inch displays. The iDrive system gained Android Auto for 2021, alongside Apple CarPlay, enhanced SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro with real-time traffic and parking information. The X7 also offered wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control, although the latter was inconsistent. The technology was user-friendly, with a head-up display providing additional information, although it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

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 part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, lane-control assist, and emergency stop assist. The X7's advanced driving assistance systems were praised for their accuracy and smooth operation, although some specific experiences revealed areas for improvement. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parallel parking assist, a surround-view camera, and a drive recorder system.