2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

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 was introduced in 1969 as a luxury SUV built on robust 4x4 underpinnings. By 2020, the Range Rover had evolved into a vehicle with multiple variations, including the HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic trims, 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, while higher trims offered even more luxurious options like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks showcased a bold exterior redesign, aligning with the new face of Nissan's lineup. The Kicks featured a snubbed nose with a deep V-motion design and thinner, longer headlights. The top-tier Kicks SR trim boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The rear of the Kicks was updated with a new bumper and LED taillight combination, giving it a proportionate and stylish look. The Kicks offered a variety of paint options, including new colors like Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat. The interior remained mostly unchanged but featured higher quality materials and new seat designs, with the Kicks SR Premium Package offering Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design.

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 a non-hybrid version of the same engine, 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. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim, the performance variant, had a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to produce 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and automatic load leveling provided a comfortable ride, while its Terrain Response System offered various drive modes for different conditions.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, came with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering with vehicle-speed variable assist, making it nimble in various driving conditions. Its handling was aided by a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension with twist beam and twin-tube shock absorbers. The Kicks was equipped with a traction control system, stability control system, and hill start assist. The Kicks SR trim included an integrated dynamic-control module with active engine brake, intelligent trace control, and intelligent ride control. The Kicks was also fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: LWB and SWB, both with standard seating for five. 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 unique two-piece configuration, making it easier to load large items. The center-console compartment was convenient, and both the front and rear doors had decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, being a smaller vehicle, had easy-to-reach buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. It offered good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. The Kicks had a D-shaped steering wheel, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It provided best-in-class front seat legroom, though the hip room was more compartmentalized. The available tonneau cover offered hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen handled navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen managed climate controls, seat controls, and vehicle settings. The system had a learning curve and relied heavily on digital screens, but it included a volume knob and a fully digital instrument panel. A head-up display was also available.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and three USB ports as standard. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers. A surround-view monitor and a WiFi hot spot were available, along with NissanConnect services.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. It had 10 airbags and standard LATCH connections. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model was expected to improve its IIHS headlight ratings.