2020 Toyota Highlander vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was more about subtlety than making a bold statement. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme that was consistent across various elements like the tailgate, headlights, and grille. The body panels had more pronounced creases compared to previous models, and the vehicle offered new paint colors such as the attractive Blueprint. The interior was where the Highlander truly shone, with a focus on quality fit and finish. The cabin was adorned with silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash, offering a pleasing color palette even on the base trims. The Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a blend of sleek and robust design elements. It featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to traditional Range Rovers. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which also enhanced its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches like larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Velar offered a high-quality leather and metal-trimmed interior, creating a cockpit-like feel. However, its avant-garde styling resulted in limited headroom and a somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth and brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission complemented the engine well, although the steering and suspension left room for improvement. The Highlander offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The AWD version was slightly less efficient, but still competitive.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors. The aluminum platform provided a solid and refined feel, but the vehicle felt large on tight roads. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by features like Terrain Response and All-Terrain Progress Control, although it lacked a low range transfer case.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered versatile seating for up to eight passengers, with options for second-row captain's chairs. The second row provided generous legroom and easy access to the third row. Cargo space was ample, with up to 84 cubic feet available when the rear seats were folded. The Highlander featured practical storage solutions, including multiple cupholders and dash-integrated shelves. The controls were straightforward, and the infotainment system, while functional, could benefit from a software update.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering competitive but not class-leading cargo space. The interior felt cramped due to the avant-garde styling, which limited headroom and visibility. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography models capable of towing over 5,500 pounds. The cockpit-like front seating area was a departure from typical SUV design, providing easy access to the tall center console.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an infotainment system that felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. However, it included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The vehicle offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, providing useful information. Safety features like adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams were standard, while the optional JBL audio system offered decent sound quality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar utilized the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, featuring dual 10.0-inch touchscreens. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow response times. The Velar included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, along with capacitive steering-wheel controls. The tech package was comprehensive, but the system's performance lagged behind newer offerings like the Pivi Pro system in the Land Rover Defender.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Highlander earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, thanks to its top ratings in crash tests and effective emergency braking.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as luxury vehicles like the Velar are often not prioritized for testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, with adaptive cruise control available as an option. The Velar's safety offerings were less comprehensive compared to some competitors.