2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing its appeal both inside and out. The updates were more than just minor tweaks, as the styling changes allowed the RX to stand out in a competitive market. Despite its age, the RX maintained a stylish edge over its Toyota counterparts. The exterior boasted standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to resemble other Lexus models, and new paint colors like Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl were introduced. The rear of the vehicle featured a new shape with dual exhaust, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX offered a well-appointed cabin with various interior color and material combinations, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport appearance package added unique features like a special steering wheel, shift knob, and 20-inch wheels, enhancing the SUV's sporty appeal. The leather-wrapped surfaces provided a premium feel, while the center stack, though functional, appeared dated compared to industry trends.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, once a rugged tool of the trade, had evolved into a luxurious vehicle with a starting price of $92,000. The SUV offered a wide range of powertrains, upgrades, and personalization options, with the long-wheelbase version reaching prices upwards of $250,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, standard paint, wheels, and leather, along with options like a wood-and-leather steering wheel and heated and ventilated seats. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless look with hallmark design cues like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system wasn't as advanced as newer models, it was manageable with some effort. The Range Rover's design drew heavily from its past, much like a Porsche 911, offering a blend of modernity and heritage.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The three-row RX 350L models had slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h hybrid version combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, with a recommendation for 95 octane fuel. The RX 450hL, an elongated version, produced 259 horsepower from the gasoline engine and 165 horsepower from an electric motor, with a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Both hybrid models featured an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but it offered sufficient power for most drivers. The RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h excelled in fuel economy with 30 mpg combined. The F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels for improved agility, along with various drive modes like Normal, Eco, and Sport. The RX provided a smooth and connected driving experience, with good insulation and braking performance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case, ensured off-road capability, supported by Terrain Response 2 traction control. The SUV excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that filtered road harshness. The Range Rover's steering was relatively slow, and the suspension struggled to manage its weight and tall center of gravity, resulting in side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA estimated 20 mpg combined for the tested model, with an observed average of 18.5 mpg. The supercharged V8 version offered 16 mpg city, 21 highway, and 18 combined. The Range Rover was best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, offering a commanding view and a luxurious driving experience.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior, while not as minimalist or stylish as its German competitors, was functional and comfortable. The two-row RX model accommodated four adults comfortably, but the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children or pets. The cabin was spacious in its two-row configuration, with comfortable front seats and good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct views of curbs and corners. The RX's cargo area was smaller than its rivals, with a high load floor that limited space. The RX 350L and 450hL also had less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on RX-L versions.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers found it challenging to get in and out. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. The cargo area provided 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, which was less than some compact SUVs. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for the 2020 model. The display was moved closer to the driver, and the system was available with an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen. Despite these changes, the system remained difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other integrations provided workarounds. The RX featured a center console touchpad with improved responsiveness and six USB ports. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with an optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology included three digital displays for instrumentation and infotainment, with the InControl Touch Pro Duo system offering numerous features. While not entirely intuitive, the system was manageable with practice. The Range Rover also featured a head-up display, though it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The SUV included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for digital owner’s manual access. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available for more natural voice control.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features like daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist were standard. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models. Lexus Enform Safety Connect and Enform Service Connect subscriptions were included, though connectivity issues were noted during testing.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, with effective safety technology. The adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in some situations, but overall, the safety features performed well.