2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, tracing its roots back to the original Series I off-roader. This model, introduced in 1969, combined luxury with robust 4x4 capabilities, a hallmark that defined the brand. By 2013, the current-generation Range Rover had emerged, offering a variety of trims like HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, each available in Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof, while options ranged from a 19-speaker Meridian audio system to a rear-seat entertainment system.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had evolved from its once cutting-edge design to a more mainstream appearance, with L-shaped LED headlights and a contoured front end. Its interior was conservatively styled, focusing on comfort and ease of use, making it ideal for commutes and road trips. The Murano offered trims like S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with standard features such as an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added luxury touches like leather upholstery, a Bose stereo system, and a dual-panel panoramic moonroof.

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 non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while a plug-in hybrid option combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with electric motors for a total of 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim topped the range with a 5.0-liter V8 producing 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, offering a blend of power and off-road capability.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, on the other hand, featured a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, but the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano prioritized comfort, with a smooth ride and refined handling, making it an excellent choice for commuting and road trips. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, which was lower than many midsize and even some compact SUVs.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB). Both configurations provided seating for five, with the option to reduce capacity to four with second-row captain’s chairs for added comfort. The SWB version offered 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model provided 77.5 cubic feet. Despite its luxury status, the Range Rover's cargo space was less than some competitors. The vehicle featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece design, enhancing convenience for loading large items.

The 2021 Nissan Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use. While this was less than some rivals, the Murano excelled in ease of use, with a traditional shifter design and a center console filled with trays and cubbies. The Murano focused on two rows of seating, offering ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The second-row seats even had partial reclining functionality, enhancing passenger comfort.

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, seat functions, and Terrain Response settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu, though it required a learning curve and had been known for occasional lag issues. A fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display added to the Range Rover's tech offerings.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a user-friendly menu layout supported by hard buttons and dials. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while available tech upgrades included an 11-speaker Bose stereo system and navigation. The Murano's infotainment system was praised for its ease of use, allowing drivers to seamlessly switch between connected smartphone apps.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with standard safety features such as 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 Nissan Murano boasted a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features as part of Nissan Safety Shield 360. New standard features for 2021 included reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. These joined existing features like forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional safety upgrades included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control.