2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which debuted in 2005 and entered its second generation in 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018 that carried over into 2021. This refresh introduced the dual-screen center console, a hallmark of recent Land Rover interiors. The 2021 model offered a variety of trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition. Standard features on the base SE trim included leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Meridian premium sound system, a WiFi hotspot, and the dual-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more luxurious features, such as quad-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 19-speaker Meridian sound system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, while not a standout in terms of exterior design, offered a practical and functional approach. Its styling was similar to other compact crossovers, with minor differentiating details like the grille and some chromed plastic features. The CR-V was available in eight colors, though many were shades of gray, black, or white, with more vibrant colors limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V provided a modern look with angular seats and headrests, available in black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim. The interior also featured wood panels and chrome accents in higher trims, offering a more upscale appearance compared to some competitors.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 powertrain, rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains, with the P400e plug-in hybrid delivering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition boasted a more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system for various driving conditions. The Range Rover Sport could tow up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was not designed for high performance but rather for smooth and steady acceleration. All nine trims (excluding the hybrid variants) featured the same 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

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 reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Both the first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in practicality, with 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Toyota RAV4 by four cubic feet. It also offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, accommodating a significant amount of luggage. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, from manual to power-operated and hands-free versions. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, while other trims required additional accessories for roof cargo.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen managing the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it featured useful dials for various functions and reasonably sized icons for menu navigation. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it was not the most intuitive on the market.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. However, higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, while the EX-L added two more speakers. The Touring trim boasted a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and satellite navigation. Charging ports were abundant in higher trims, with USB ports in the front and rear, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included standard safety features across all trims, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.