2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the luxury SUV segment, often seen navigating the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles. It was known for its superior interior quality, surpassing that of the Cadillac Escalade, and offered more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator. The X7 boasted advanced technological features that outshone the Lexus LX 570 and had a commanding visual presence that rivaled the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite its impressive attributes, the X7's appeal was subjective, as personal preference played a significant role in this competitive market. The X7 was available in three versions, with the xDrive40i starting at $74,900, the M50i at $99,800, and the Alpina BX7 at $141,300. The test vehicle, an X7 xDrive40i, was equipped with premium features and option packages, bringing its price to $91,745.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its refreshed design from 2018. This refresh introduced the dual-screen center console, a defining feature of Land Rover interiors. The Range Rover Sport offered a variety of trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition, each with its own set of luxurious features. The base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker Meridian sound system. Higher trims added features like quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a more powerful V8 engine. The SVR models focused on performance, with a stiffer suspension and sport seats. The Range Rover Sport was known for its off-road capabilities, thanks to its height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive AWD system. The X7 incorporated BMW’s eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite the technology, the X7's fuel economy ratings dropped slightly from the previous year, achieving 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering ample power. The Dynamic Handling Package improved maneuverability and stability, though the SUV's weight was noticeable on winding roads. The X7 excelled in comfort and smoothness, with features like Active Comfort Drive and Integral Active Steering enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrains, starting with the P360 mild-hybrid system, which combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt system, delivering 355 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. The HST model featured the P400 powertrain, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The P400e plug-in hybrid offered 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the turbodiesel V6 provided 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp, while the SVR models increased output to 575 hp. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The Range Rover Sport excelled off-road, with its air suspension and Terrain Response system, and offered impressive towing capabilities, up to 7,716 pounds.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious interior with features like heated and ventilated front seats, premium leather upholstery, and a five-zone climate control system. The front seats provided exceptional comfort, and the second-row captain's chairs were equally accommodating. The third-row seats were surprisingly spacious for adults, though accessing them required some maneuvering of the power seats. The X7's cargo space was limited, with 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though it was best suited for children. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, with luxurious appointments. The cargo space was adequate for road trips, but there were more spacious options available.

The 2021 BMW X7 featured the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both with 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro. Wireless smartphone charging, natural voice recognition, and gesture control were also available. The iDrive system was user-friendly, though it could be distracting while driving. A head-up display was included, but visibility was limited with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings, and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve, but the integrated dials offered versatile control. The touchscreen layout was simplified, with easy access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A real volume button was included, though it was somewhat hidden. Overall, the system was functional but not the most intuitive.

The 2021 BMW X7 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist. The X7's ADAS was generally effective, though it occasionally struggled with lane maintenance and automated lane changes. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features, such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, were available as options. Other available features included a surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display. While the Range Rover Sport's safety features were comprehensive, some were only available as optional extras.