2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing market for crossovers with its rugged appearance, standard all-wheel drive, and elevated driving position. Subaru's strategy of enhancing the Impreza with black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height resulted in a vehicle that could convincingly mimic an SUV. The Crosstrek's vibrant color options, such as Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its appeal, while the Subaru Global Platform provided a solid foundation for a refined driving experience. Inside, the Crosstrek retained the Impreza's functional but plain interior, with some questionable design choices like the clashing color accents in the Sport trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover was a symbol of luxury and sophistication, having evolved from its utilitarian roots to become a high-end SUV. The Range Rover's design, with its timeless lines and hallmark features, exuded elegance. The interior was a testament to luxury, with high-quality materials and a mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained impressive, and its cabin offered a serene and opulent environment. However, the infotainment system, while comprehensive, was not as intuitive as newer models, requiring some patience and familiarity to master.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four, producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's standard all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, and X-Mode enhanced its handling and off-road capabilities, although it was primarily suited for on-road use. The new 2.5-liter engine provided a modest performance boost, but the CVT's droning noise was noticeable during acceleration.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system, Terrain Response 2, and adaptive air suspension ensured it could handle various terrains with ease. The SUV's power delivery was smooth and rapid, with a quiet cabin enhancing the driving experience. However, its weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads, making it more enjoyable at a leisurely pace.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity compared to other small crossovers. With 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded, it lagged behind some rivals. The Crosstrek's interior featured practical storage solutions, but rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, providing good visibility, but it didn't offer the commanding view of a traditional SUV.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension included a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, which was necessary given its height. The front seats were luxuriously comfortable, but the second row lacked support and adjustability, resulting in an awkward seating position. Despite this, rear passengers enjoyed features like quad-zone climate control and a premium sound system. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, but it was less than some compact crossovers. The suspension kneel function facilitated loading, and the rear-seat center section could be folded for longer items.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and additional features like WiFi and SiriusXM. The system was user-friendly, with large analog controls for essential functions. A secondary screen displayed redundant information, and EyeSight driver-assistance features were accessible via steering wheel buttons.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while comprehensive, was not entirely intuitive, requiring users to familiarize themselves with its functions. The dual 10-inch touchscreens could be distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS for the 2020 model. It offered standard EyeSight driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The system's cameras were well-protected but had limitations in certain conditions.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came 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. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, which performed well, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in some situations.