2021 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and rugged capability, a legacy that began with the Series I off-roader. Over the years, it evolved into a luxury SUV, maintaining its robust 4x4 underpinnings. By 2020, the Range Rover offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, with options for standard or long wheelbase configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a dual-screen infotainment system, while higher trims added more opulent touches like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, part of Ford's SUV lineup, was designed to appeal to a broad audience with its family resemblance to other Ford SUVs. It featured six trim levels, each offering distinct grille designs and interior upgrades. The Explorer provided three rows of seating, with the base model accommodating seven passengers. The interior was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, and higher trims offered a 10.1-inch screen and a premium audio system. The Explorer's design focused on practicality, with a clean dashboard layout and ample storage space.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, providing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 557 hp V8 engine. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, offering impressive off-road capabilities and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base engine was a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented ST trim offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All trims were equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, with a range of 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, with seating for five or four with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The SWB version provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a two-piece configuration, enhancing its practicality. The interior included a center-console compartment and decently sized door compartments for storage.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base model accommodated seven passengers, while other trims offered six seats with second-row captain’s chairs. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. The Explorer's overall cargo volume was 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive with smaller SUVs. The interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage and a clean dashboard layout.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, and stereo functions, while the lower screen controlled climate settings and Terrain Response modes. The system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, but it offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some were only available as options.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests. It came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.