2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it had become a status symbol, offering a range of powertrains and personalization options that could push its price well beyond $250,000. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, showcasing a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system, InControl Touch Pro Duo, was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent a series of updates, including exterior styling revisions and enhanced infotainment technology. The new grille, headlights, and bumper gave it a fresh look, while the interior boasted a redesigned dashboard with the latest Sync 4 and Sync 4A systems. The Expedition offered a range of trims, from the base XL STX to the luxurious Platinum, with prices ranging from just over $55,000 to nearly $84,000. The test vehicle, a Limited Stealth Edition, featured a Stone Blue Metallic exterior and a host of options, including 4WD and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, bringing its MSRP to $80,155. The Expedition's spacious cabin, impressive technology, and comfortable seating made it a strong contender in the full-size SUV market.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster special edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although the steering was relatively slow and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity contributed to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Ford Expedition, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, produced 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the test model. The engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in combined driving. The Expedition's powertrain allowed for towing capacities between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds. The test vehicle's observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating. While the Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension improved handling, the ride quality was sometimes harsh due to the 22-inch wheels and tires. The Expedition excelled on highways, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, but its driving dynamics could benefit from the adaptive damping suspension available on higher trims.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers still found it challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered exceptional comfort and ease of access, thanks to available power running boards. The spacious cabin provided ample room for passengers, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs offered plenty of legroom, while the third-row seat provided good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space behind the third row measured 19.3 cubic feet, expandable to 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo capacity.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while functional, was not entirely intuitive and could be distracting while driving. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced the next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter offering a 15.5-inch touchscreen and advanced voice recognition. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The test vehicle's Bang & Olufsen audio system lacked high-volume fidelity, but a 22-speaker B&O Unleashed system was available on higher trims. The Expedition also featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Expedition also introduced Road Edge Detection and BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, though the lane-centering assist had some issues with accuracy and reliability.