2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the more traditional, boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, setting it apart from the typical upright SUV design. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs hinted at performance capabilities. Despite its stylish exterior, the Velar remained a true SUV, offering impressive ground clearance and off-road angles, especially with the optional air suspension. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look.

Inside, the Velar's interior was a departure from its 1969 predecessor, featuring high-quality leather and metal trim that exuded luxury. The cockpit-like design, with a tall, sloping instrument panel and door panels, created an immersive driving experience. Unlike many SUVs, the Velar's seating position made occupants feel integrated into the vehicle rather than perched on top. This modern interior design was more suited to urban environments, offering a sophisticated and comfortable space for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent marked a significant addition to Subaru's lineup, filling the gap for a three-row SUV. Its design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's popular models like the Forester and Outback, creating a familiar yet spacious midsize SUV. The cabin mirrored this approach, with a dash design that aligned with other Subaru vehicles, reinforcing brand continuity. The Ascent offered four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding progressively more features. The Standard trim was well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and added conveniences like a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats.

The Limited trim introduced push-button start, additional power adjustments for the front seats, and heated second-row seats. The top-tier Touring trim offered luxury features such as second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with seating for up to eight passengers and an abundance of cupholders and storage spaces. This made it a versatile choice for families needing a reliable and spacious vehicle.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, brought a new level of performance with its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, 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, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads, limiting its agility in corners.

The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, offering various drive modes for different surfaces. However, its single-speed transfer case and road-focused tires limited its off-road prowess compared to other models. The Velar's base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was also available, offering 340 hp or 380 hp. These engines, combined with the Velar's luxurious features, made it a versatile choice for those seeking both performance and comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, provided adequate performance for most driving scenarios. The Ascent excelled in urban environments and was capable on highways, offering a comfortable and responsive ride. Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, combined with Subaru's X-Mode system, made it a reliable choice for snowy conditions and light off-roading.

The Ascent's towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, along with standard Trailer Stability Assist, added to its versatility. While it wasn't a performance vehicle, the Ascent's focus on comfort and practicality made it a popular choice for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in the luxury SUV market, being larger than compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, yet smaller than midsize models like the BMW X5. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as some competitors, with the GLC offering more legroom and the X3 providing more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior.

The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, 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. A trailer-sway assist feature was standard, enhancing its practicality for those needing to tow.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered generous interior space, with 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While some rivals offered more cargo space, the Ascent's capacity was on the higher end of the midsize three-row SUV class. The Ascent's interior was designed for practicality, with seating for up to eight passengers and an abundance of cupholders and storage spaces.

The Ascent's first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for adults on shorter trips or children on longer journeys. The standard power liftgate added convenience, though a hands-free option was not available. Overall, the Ascent's interior was spacious and well-suited for families needing a versatile and comfortable vehicle.

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. Despite its high-quality graphics and layout, the system was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, enhancing the Velar's modern and minimalist interior.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent came equipped with Subaru's StarLink infotainment system, offering logical menu layouts and large icons. Both available touchscreens were supported by hard buttons and dials, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The Ascent included two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Optional tech features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing a comprehensive and user-friendly tech experience.

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 offerings were less sophisticated than some competitors, with only lane-keep assist available, while other automakers offered more advanced systems.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+, thanks to its crash test results and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. EyeSight included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, along with a feature that alerted drivers when the vehicle in front had moved. The Ascent also gained standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights for 2021. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, making the Ascent a well-rounded choice for safety-conscious buyers.