2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a testament to Ford's consistent design philosophy, offering a cohesive family resemblance across its SUV lineup. Its exterior was sporty and modern, with distinctive raked belt lines and a variety of grille options depending on the trim level. The Explorer's interior was practical, featuring three rows of seating as standard, though the third row was best suited for children. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and ample storage space, including a rotary gearshift that maximized the center console's utility. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen, while higher trims provided leather upholstery and additional luxury touches.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover, meanwhile, was an evolution of its predecessor, maintaining its iconic broad face and unadorned sheet metal. The most notable exterior change was the sleek LED taillights integrated into a darker trim element. Inside, the Range Rover offered a simplified yet luxurious cabin with a larger tablet-like touchscreen and premium materials throughout. The interior exuded opulence, with leather surfaces and rich wood trim, complemented by a solid, creak-free build. The Range Rover's design emphasized comfort and refinement, providing a serene driving experience with excellent noise insulation and a smooth ride, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission across all trims. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, while higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented Explorer ST offered the most power with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer excelled in towing capabilities, with a capacity ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover provided two powertrain options. The base P400 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The P530 upgrade offered a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 powertrain allowed the Range Rover to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, impressive for its nearly 6,000-pound weight. The Range Rover's handling was agile for its size, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Terrain Response system, providing excellent traction and maneuverability.

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, competitive within its class. With the third row in use, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it suitable for families needing versatile cargo options, though it lagged behind some competitors in overall cargo volume.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover excelled in interior space and luxury. The first two rows offered ample room, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were cushioned for comfort, with available massage functions. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin. The second row provided generous space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. The optional third row was accessible via a button, though headroom was limited for adults. Cargo space behind the third row was 17.1 cubic feet, expanding to 93 cubic feet with seats folded. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension facilitated loading and unloading.

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. The Limited trim added a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, with higher trims offering a 10.1-inch touchscreen and up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Meridian audio system provided excellent sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone app control. The touchscreen's placement required more attention, but climate controls were designed for ease of use.

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. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. While adequately equipped, some rivals offered additional safety features like advanced high beams and emergency stop functions.