2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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 featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar's rounded front and slightly tapered rear added to its distinct look, while its broad front end maintained the intimidating presence typical of Land Rovers. Despite its sleek appearance, the Velar was still an SUV, boasting short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capabilities and up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition introduced sportier styling elements, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its performance-oriented aesthetic.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its refreshed design from 2018. This model featured the dual-screen center console that had become a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of trims, each with its own set of luxurious features. The base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker Meridian sound system. Higher trims like the HSE Silver and Autobiography added more opulent touches, such as quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and 22-way power-adjustable front seats. The SVR and SVR Carbon Edition focused on performance, with a more powerful V8 engine and sportier design elements. Overall, the Range Rover Sport combined luxury and performance in a versatile package.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a significant 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, 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 and reach a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, as competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S were quicker. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but its large size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 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 capabilities, although its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a diverse range of powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The HSE Silver Edition offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid delivering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft, and the diesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition had an even more potent version with 575 hp. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The Range Rover Sport's air suspension and Terrain Response system provided excellent off-road capabilities and impressive on-road handling. Most variants could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which had a towing capacity of 6,613 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize ones. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors. It offered 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, with its chopped roof, limited headroom and side glass, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. Visibility was also a challenge due to the tall hood, although a 360-degree camera system was available. The Velar's towing capacity varied by engine, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered more interior space, with a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, although it was best suited for children due to its limited space. The first and second rows provided ample headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort for passengers. The Range Rover Sport's interior was both spacious and luxurious, making it a practical choice for families or those needing extra cargo space.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which included 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's graphics and menu layout were praised, but its 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.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by the dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings, and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it offered useful dials for controlling various functions. The upper touchscreen had a simplified layout with reasonably sized icons for easy navigation. The Range Rover Sport also featured a real volume button, although it was somewhat hidden. Overall, the infotainment system was functional but not the most intuitive on the market.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not a 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 some competitors, with only lane-keep assist available instead of more advanced lane-centering systems.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with a decent list of standard driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options. Additional driver assistance features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and park assist. While the Range Rover Sport offered a good range of safety features, some were only available as options.