2021 Ford Bronco vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, sitting between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Bronco embraced a retrofuturistic design, drawing inspiration from its classic predecessor. The Bronco featured a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and a modestly bulging hood. Its body was simple yet functional, with removable doors and fenders for easy customization. The Bronco came in two-door and four-door configurations, offering a range of wheelbase and length options. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with modern technology, featuring a color touchscreen and a digitized cluster. The interior was rugged and practical, with reinforced grab handles and stretchy mesh door pockets, making it ideal for off-road adventures.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, delivering 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, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as other performance SUVs, and it felt large on tight roads. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, but its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess compared to other models.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged engine with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's performance was tailored for both on-road and off-road experiences. On pavement, the Bronco drove like an off-road truck, with the 2.7-liter engine providing smooth power delivery. Off-road, the Bronco excelled with its sure-footed handling and smart electronics, making it a capable and fun vehicle for both novice and experienced off-roaders.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering competitive cargo space with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. However, its avant-garde styling compromised interior space, creating a cramped and claustrophobic feel. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Bronco emphasized modularity and practicality, with removable doors and fenders for easy customization and repair. The Bronco's interior was designed with off-road functionality in mind, featuring easily accessible controls for suspension settings and auxiliary equipment. The Bronco's clever design extended to its exterior, with trail sights on the hood for managing roof-mounted cargo. The Bronco's interior space was versatile, accommodating both two-door and four-door configurations, with thoughtful storage solutions for off-road gear.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. While the system offered high-quality graphics and a sleek design, it was criticized for slow responses. The Velar also included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, adding to its modern and minimalist cabin.

The 2021 Ford Bronco utilized Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment interface, with an 8-inch standard touchscreen and an optional 12-inch upgrade. The Bronco's G.O.A.T. system provided easy control over off-road traction functions, while the Lux Package offered additional features like a 10-speaker B&O sound system and wireless device charging. The Bronco's technology was designed to enhance both on-road and off-road experiences, with intuitive controls and advanced connectivity options.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, but it offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Optional packages included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, though Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Ford Bronco's safety features were packaged by trim level, with higher trims offering more advanced options. The Mid Package included Ford Co-Pilot 360 with pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping system. The High Package added a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. The Bronco's safety design accounted for its removable doors, with side curtain airbags that deployed appropriately in off-road situations.