2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtle yet refined, with its trapezoidal theme evident in various elements like the tailgate's license plate cutout and the slimmer headlights. The body panels featured more pronounced creases, and the vehicle offered new paint colors, such as the attractive Blueprint. The interior of the Highlander was where it truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim boasted a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it a standout in its class. The Highlander's cabin was a testament to Toyota's attention to detail, offering a level of quality that was hard to find among its competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication, with a design that harked back to its rugged roots while embracing modern elegance. The exterior featured hallmark design cues like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, giving it a timeless appeal. Inside, the Range Rover's cabin was a luxurious haven, with an Ivory-color interior and a mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained impressive, offering a high-contrast interior and a sense of opulence. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while advanced, was not as intuitive as newer systems, requiring some acclimatization.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a ride that was more about comfort than precision. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander provided a smooth and quiet driving experience, akin to a Lexus, and offered good fuel economy for its size, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2, ensured its off-road prowess. The adaptive air suspension provided a classic wafting sensation, and the SUV's power built smoothly, offering near-total silence in the cabin. However, the steering was slow and syrupy, and the Range Rover's weight and tall center of gravity led to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second row was versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander excelled in ergonomics, with wide-opening rear doors and a comfortable seating height. Cargo space was ample, with up to 84 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including shelves integrated into the dash and multiple cupholders.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, leading to a slouched seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated bin. Cargo volume was also restricted, with a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet. The Range Rover's clamshell-style tailgate and suspension kneel function aided loading, but overall space was less than expected for a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was not fully utilized, and the interface was less intuitive compared to competitors. However, the Highlander offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, providing useful information. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a semi-automated driving system with adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring setup and practice to master. The dual 10-inch touchscreens posed a distraction while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for its crash test performance and emergency braking capabilities.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.