2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, drawing from its origins as a vehicle favored by British landowners. Introduced in 1969, the Range Rover combined luxury with robust 4x4 capabilities, a hallmark that defined the brand. By 2012, the current generation had been introduced, 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, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while higher trims added options like massaging seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, meanwhile, was a crossover that embraced the rugged appeal of SUVs while maintaining the practicality of a hatchback. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, it offered standard all-wheel drive and a taller ride height, giving it an SUV-like stance. The Crosstrek's design was enhanced by vibrant color options, and its interior, though similar to the Impreza hatchback, featured unique touches like water-repellant StarTex upholstery in the Sport trim. Despite its compact size, the Crosstrek provided a comfortable ride with good visibility, making it a practical choice for those seeking a versatile vehicle.

The 2020 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 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 557 hp, 516 lb-ft V8. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, providing a blend of power and off-road capability.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine for the Sport and Limited trims, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with a 2.0-liter boxer-four, offering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on lower trims, while a CVT was available and standard on higher trims. The Crosstrek's all-wheel-drive system included torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling and off-road capability. Despite the new engine, the Crosstrek's acceleration remained adequate, with the CVT contributing to a droning sound during acceleration.

The 2020 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. Despite its luxury status, the Range Rover's cargo space was less than some competitors. The interior featured a hands-free power liftgate and a unique two-piece configuration for easier loading. The center-console compartment was convenient, and both front and rear doors had decent storage space.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. With 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded, the Crosstrek was more spacious than some rivals but lagged behind others. CVT-equipped models included a rear-seat reminder system, and the interior featured a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports. While storage space was minimal, the Crosstrek provided good outward visibility and a higher driving position than the Impreza.

The 2020 Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, and media, while the lower screen controlled climate and vehicle settings. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu, though it had a learning curve and occasional lag issues. A fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech offerings.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims added features like WiFi and SiriusXM radio, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim. Subaru's use of a second screen for additional information seemed redundant, but the system was easy to navigate. Large analog knobs and buttons for audio and climate control ensured ease of use, while steering wheel controls managed EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Range Rover came with 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 competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS for the 2020 model. EyeSight driver-assist features, standard on CVT-equipped models, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert enhanced safety, though EyeSight's camera positioning limited functionality in certain conditions.