2021 Subaru Forester 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 boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, setting it apart from the traditional upright Range Rover design. The Velar maintained its SUV identity with a broad front end that appeared intimidating in rearview mirrors, and its short front and rear 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's high-quality leather and metal trim created a luxurious feel, with a cockpit-like design that made drivers feel enveloped by the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester retained a more traditional SUV appearance, with its boxy, upright shape appealing to many SUV shoppers. Despite a redesign in 2019, its styling seemed older, largely due to its carryover design from the previous generation. The Forester Sport models added orange striping and black alloy wheels, providing a sporty flair. The interior was practical, with a no-nonsense mix of materials designed to withstand daily wear and tear. The Forester offered generous headroom and legroom, thanks to its tall roofline, and its large windows provided excellent visibility. The interior was functional, with a straightforward layout and easy-to-use controls.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift from its previous reputation of being more show than go. 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, it wasn't the fastest in its class, 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. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was available with either 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar also featured off-road tech like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, though its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the engine provided adequate power for most situations, it lacked the thrust needed for confident highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride that absorbed bumps well but led to significant body roll in corners. Subaru's standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode system enhanced its capability on different surfaces, with Sport models offering Dual X-Mode for varied terrain. The Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle off-road conditions better than many compact crossovers, though it wasn't as capable as more rugged models like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

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 ones. Despite its size, it didn't offer more interior space than its smaller competitors, with the GLC providing more legroom and the X3 more headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's stylish design, including its chopped roof, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The cockpit-like front seating area felt cramped, though the center console was easily accessible. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also allowed for large windows, providing excellent visibility and a spacious feel. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked the sliding second-row bench found in some competitors, the Forester offered a power liftgate on higher trims. The interior was practical, with decently sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was small, and wireless charging wasn't available. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

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. While the system boasted high-quality graphics, it suffered from slow response times. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though these reflected sunlight easily.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came standard with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and USB ports. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, with navigation available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, though it was slow to boot up. The Forester also included a secondary screen on the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying information like fuel economy and tire pressure, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low 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 competitors, with only lane-keep assist available, while other automakers offered systems that actively steered the car.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the EyeSight suite, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Subaru's DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction, ensuring proper use of EyeSight tech. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking, with large mirror-mounted warning lights for blind-spot monitoring.