2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing interest in crossovers. It featured rugged aesthetics, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a higher driving position, which were key attractions for buyers. The Crosstrek stood out with its black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and an elevated ride height offering 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These modifications gave it a more SUV-like appearance and character, enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV mimicry, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, ensuring a refined driving experience. However, the interior remained largely unchanged from the Impreza, with a functional but plain design, and some questionable aesthetic choices like the clashing color accents in the Sport trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, a hallmark of Land Rover's long-standing reputation in the luxury SUV market. The Velar's design was a masterful blend of the classic Range Rover silhouette with a sporty, streamlined form. Its long wheelbase, short overhangs, and distinctive features like pop-out door handles and trapezoidal roof were unmistakably Range Rover. The Velar's exterior was further enhanced by details like taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of high-performance cars. The interior, though less opulent than previous models, maintained high-quality materials and a sleek design, with a polished black center stack and reconfigurable instrument panel. Despite some design missteps, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, the Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system offered a more user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrains. 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 a 2.0-liter boxer-four, producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's boxer engine, a Subaru trademark, provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling despite the SUV-like ride height. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional and standard on higher trims. All trims came with standard AWD, featuring torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. The Crosstrek's handling was predictable, with a comfortable ride and low wind noise, though the higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll.

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, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD). The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" experience. The standard 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 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque in base models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft in the R-Dynamic HSE, offering high performance while reducing emissions.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. It featured a rear-seat reminder system and a practical front cubby with USB and auxiliary ports, though rear-seat passengers had limited access to USB ports. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good due to ample side glass.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with reduced headroom and limited visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for style, with a confusing parking brake control system that combined functions illogically. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the interior featured high-quality materials and a sleek design.

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 a Multimedia Plus setup with WiFi, SiriusXM, and an optional 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, and steering wheel controls for EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was surprisingly reliable, with a simplified layout and customizable interface. It included features like voice activation, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system offered intelligent route suggestions, and the 4x4 app provided off-road information. The instrument panel was reconfigurable, though the driving assist display lacked detail. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The 2020 model, virtually identical to the 2021 version, earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award. EyeSight driver-assist features were standard on CVT-equipped models, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored five stars in the European NCAP. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.