2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a familiar yet appealing design, reminiscent of Ford's traditional SUV lineup. Its exterior was marked by sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages, making it stand out among competitors. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large, accessible controls. The XLT trim, favored by most consumers, added features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims offered leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication, a far cry from its rugged origins. Starting at $92,000, the Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with prices soaring to $250,000 for the most opulent configurations. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine and standard luxury appointments. The Range Rover's design was timeless, with hallmark cues like blacked-out pillars and clean styling. Inside, it boasted a high-contrast, mid-century modern ambiance, though the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was less intuitive than newer models. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a luxurious and commanding presence.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing in at 4,345 pounds, offered a range of powertrains. The base model featured a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented Explorer ST offered the most engaging performance with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing capacity, ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse array of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Equipped with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, the Range Rover excelled in off-road capabilities. Its adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity required a more measured approach to handling. The Range Rover's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. Second-row passengers enjoyed 39 inches of legroom, surpassing some competitors. With the third row deployed, the Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, this cargo volume was less impressive compared to larger SUVs.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access. The front seats were decadently comfortable, while the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Despite this, rear-seat occupants enjoyed quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seating. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. The Range Rover offered 25 cubic feet of luggage space, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim up.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, offered numerous features and functions. The Range Rover included a head-up display, though it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Activity Key wristband allowed owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle, while the iGuide smartphone app served as a digital owner's manual.

The 2021 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included features like auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance as standard. Optional packages offered additional driver aids, such as 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.