2021 Honda HR-V 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 low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover design. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs and optional air suspension provided off-road capability. 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 set it apart from typical SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V adopted a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its design featured unique elements like converging window lines near the taillights, which also housed the rear door handles. Most trims came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport model boasted matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The HR-V's interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery, providing a solid feel without luxury pretensions.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift towards performance with the introduction of a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, enabled the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, it wasn't the fastest in its class. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was also available. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although the Velar lacked a low-range transfer case.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While this setup was adequate for city driving, it felt underpowered on highways. The HR-V's chassis, however, offered a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. Its all-wheel-drive system was suitable for slippery roads but not for off-roading, and the HR-V wasn't rated for towing.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a middle ground in size, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize ones. Despite its size, interior space was not its strong suit, with competitors offering more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling contributed to a claustrophobic interior feel, and visibility was hindered by the design. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space for its size, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, offering up to 58.8 cubic feet of space. It also provided ample rear-seat legroom, leading its segment in this category. While front-seat legroom and headroom were average, the HR-V's interior was designed with sensible controls and a straightforward layout. The narrow center console featured a large shift lever, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position easy.

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 and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. Despite high-quality graphics, the system 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 Honda HR-V's base LX trim offered basic tech with Bluetooth and a 5-inch display screen. The Sport trim and higher added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while EX and EX-L models included SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was straightforward and functional, though the 7-inch screen was smaller than some competitors. The HR-V's tech offerings were practical, with USB ports conveniently located for easy access.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options, but Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating. Honda Sensing safety features were available on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.