2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Honda HR-V presented a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs, which typically featured more traditional and intimidating designs. Its distinctive styling included unique details like converging window lines near the taillights, which also housed the rear door handles. Most trim levels came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport models boasted matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior, though plain, was functional and well-constructed, with good material quality. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L offered features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L adding leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, making a statement of wealth and taste. Its design cleverly scaled down the big Range Rover's tall profile into a sporty package, maintaining the brand's signature proportions. The Velar's exterior featured a sloping roof, wide shoulder creases, and flush door handles, creating a streamlined yet blocky appearance. Special details included taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti's NACA ducts. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The infotainment system featured three sharp screens with sophisticated graphics, and upper trims offered additional luxury touches.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available across all trims. However, the HR-V's powertrain was considered underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was deemed ineffective. Despite this, the HR-V's chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. Its all-wheel-drive system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rough terrains, and it lacked towing capabilities.

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 and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" ride. The Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but the Velar's street-focused design limited its off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system delivered up to 395 horsepower, offering high performance while reducing emissions.

The 2021 Honda HR-V offered impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the seat folded down, it provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD) with the seat up. The HR-V excelled in rear-seat legroom, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob, with a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel for easy driving position adjustments.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, while stylish, offered limited interior space. Its design reduced headroom, especially for rear-seat passengers, and visibility was compromised by thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's interior design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were criticized for being illogical and potentially dangerous. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability with a cleaner interface and faster response times.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim included standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sport trim level provided a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports conveniently located ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was considered small, and competitors offered more standard features.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered advanced features like traffic detours and off-road measurements. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, though the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it received "Marginal" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for multiple impact tests. Standard driving assists included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.