2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a testament to Ford's consistent design philosophy, offering a family resemblance across its SUV lineup. The Explorer's exterior was sporty and modern, with distinctive raked belt lines and a variety of grille options depending on the trim level. It featured six trim levels, each offering incremental improvements in both exterior and interior aesthetics. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model offering comfortable cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and functional, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a center console with a rotary gearshift, which maximized storage space. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, with a design that was both sporty and sophisticated. Its exterior was a scaled-down version of the classic Range Rover profile, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. The Velar's design included unique elements like flush door handles and taillight lenses with depth illusions. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite being a base model, the Velar S trim offered a refined cabin with a reconfigurable instrument panel and two touchscreens. The Velar's design was a blend of style and functionality, although it made some compromises in terms of interior space and control layout.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight of 4,345 pounds, this engine provided competitive performance. The Explorer Limited Hybrid increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in the Explorer ST. The Explorer was more focused on towing capabilities, with a capacity ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and could raise the body for additional clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered up to 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. While the Velar excelled in on-road performance, it lacked the off-road capabilities of larger Range Rover models.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo space, which was competitive with smaller SUVs.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. It offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design included some unconventional control layouts, such as the parking brake integrated with the transmission button, which could be confusing in emergencies. However, the Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a simplified interface and faster response times.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power outlets, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim upwards.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It included features like a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could suggest traffic detours and provide off-road measurements. The Velar came standard with a 12-speaker Meridian stereo and offered optional adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It offered the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims included additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European NCAP tests. It offered standard safety features like forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.