2021 Ford Expedition vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced approach to styling within the Range Rover family, avoiding the extremes of its siblings. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to 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 elements, such as 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 Expedition Platinum was a sight for sore eyes with its plush and roomy interior, especially after a week in a Dodge Grand Caravan. The Platinum trim represented the pinnacle of the Expedition lineup, offering a luxurious experience with features like power-deploying running boards and a leather-lined cabin. Despite its impressive appearance, the regular-length Expedition struggled to accommodate both passengers and luggage simultaneously, highlighting the practicality of the extended-length MAX version. The Expedition's design included a chrome grille and massive 22-inch wheels, giving it a bold presence. Inside, the Expedition provided comfort with wide seats and an independent rear suspension, although the use of hard plastics reminded passengers of its utilitarian roots.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift from its previous focus on style over substance. It introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. This setup allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, as competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offered quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The Velar also retained its off-road capabilities with features like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim receiving a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it included Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering. The Expedition's ride quality was affected by the Platinum's 22-inch wheels, but its four-wheel independent suspension provided stability. The FX4 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, although the test vehicle did not include this option. The Expedition averaged 17.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 19 mpg for the 4WD model.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, as competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC offered more legroom and headroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel inside. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage for small items was plentiful. The regular-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 104.6 cubic feet with all seats down. The Expedition MAX provided even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 121.5 cubic feet. However, the cargo floor's high liftover height could be a challenge when loading heavy items.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. The system included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While the graphics and menu layout were praised, the system's slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, although they were prone to reflecting sunlight.

The 2021 Ford Expedition used the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, despite its age, offered a user-friendly interface. The 8-inch touchscreen appeared small, and the system could be slow to respond. However, it provided features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and FordPass Connect services. The Expedition also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility and an enhanced voice recognition system. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging, but not the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a lower 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 compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Ford Expedition received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, although its rollover-resistance rating was lower with rear-wheel drive. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a semi-autonomous parking assistance system. The Expedition's lane-keeping technology was helpful on narrow freeways, but it lacked a more advanced system pairing adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance.