2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, a combination that had defined the brand since its inception. Originating from the rugged Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with stout 4x4 underpinnings, appealing to wealthy British landowners. By 2012, the current-generation Range Rover had been introduced, offering a variety of trims such as HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, with options for heated rear seats and a 19-speaker Meridian audio system.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid maintained a more understated appearance, closely resembling its gas-only counterparts with subtle "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. The CR-V Hybrid offered a sophisticated design with LED fog lights and a unique rear bumper. Inside, it featured unique instrumentation for battery-charge status and power distribution, with paddles on the steering wheel managing regenerative braking. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, the CR-V Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and offered features like leather upholstery, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. Despite its hybrid powertrain, the CR-V Hybrid was more powerful and enjoyable to drive than its gasoline version.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse selection of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured the same engine without the hybrid system, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 engine was also available, rated at 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, while the SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque V8. The Range Rover's power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard four-wheel drive, with the Terrain Response System offering various drive modes for different conditions.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid utilized Honda's two-motor hybrid technology, pairing a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid automatically selected from three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—based on the situation, with additional driver-selected modes of Econ, Sport, and EV. Despite the added weight of the battery pack, the CR-V Hybrid maintained a reduced center of gravity and slightly better weight distribution. It offered a smooth and predictable driving experience, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg in combined driving, achieving only 33.7 mpg on the testing route.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, SWB and LWB, with standard seating for five. The LWB version provided 77.5 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the SWB version offered 70.9 cubic feet. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, making it easier to load large items. The interior included a center-console compartment and decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders in the doors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo, with supportive front seats offering 12-way power adjustment and heated front seats as standard. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with air conditioning vents and quick-charge USB ports. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space measured 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.7 cubic feet. Despite the battery pack reducing cargo space compared to the standard CR-V, the CR-V Hybrid remained practical for everyday use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate settings, seat controls, and Terrain Response settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu. Despite a learning curve and occasional lag issues, the Range Rover offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a seven-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob. While the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it lacked a tuning knob and had slow startup times. The voice-recognition technology was limited, and the navigation map display was cluttered. The Touring trim included a nine-speaker premium audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and various connectivity options, though the system felt outdated compared to competitors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional safety 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 competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving-assistance systems. Standard features encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it lacked some advanced safety features found in other compact crossovers.