2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Dynamic SE, featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other luxurious amenities, pushing its MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, offering a luxurious and fragrant cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure in styling for the sixth-generation model. It adopted a more assertive and truck-like appearance, with a longer and wider stance compared to its predecessors. The CR-V retained its classic D-pillar taillights, now featuring three L shapes for a modern and aggressive look. The rear end appeared blockier, mirroring the bold front fascia, and all CR-V headlights and taillights were LED. The test vehicle, a U.S. equivalent of the Hybrid Touring trim, sported a deep Canyon River Blue colour and received Honda's sport treatment with black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and black wheels. The interior design followed the trend seen in the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents. The materials in the Hybrid Touring cabin felt high-quality, and the contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel added an attractive touch.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. Land Rover's challenge was to create a vehicle that excelled both off-road and on winding roads, a difficult feat given the opposing engineering requirements. The Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was better than expected, averaging 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the evaluation route. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension adjusted up to 500 times per second. However, it struggled to match the performance of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance and advanced suspension technology.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered a simplified powertrain lineup, with a hybrid option combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date. The hybrid powertrain was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and featured four drive modes: Snow, Sport, Normal, and Econ. The updated Real Time All-wheel Drive (AWD) system could send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. The CR-V Hybrid was rated for towing up to 450 kilograms. A new "B" shifter position allowed for increased regenerative braking, enhancing fuel efficiency. The CR-V Hybrid's estimated fuel consumption was 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 6.9 on the highway, and 6.4 combined. The hybrid powertrain provided a responsive driving experience, making it suitable for highway merging and other tasks.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield angle, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could be programmed to kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The back seat was deeply bucketed, providing excellent support, but the seatback angle was too reclined. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A power liftgate and controls for lowering the air suspension and folding the rear seats added convenience.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to increased interior volume. It offered 1,028 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 2,030 litres with them folded. The Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and wide-opening rear doors facilitated easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 1,042 millimetres, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The reclining rear seats offered eight positions, and headroom measured 970 mm in both rows. The interior featured a cubby for smartphones, eight cupholders, and a traditional console design with ample storage.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding nearby locations. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but difficult to access.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to those who preferred physical buttons, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display featuring volume and tuning knobs. The EX-L and Hybrid Touring trims had a 9-inch touchscreen with a volume knob. The CR-V Hybrid was well-equipped, with USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors and seats, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Hybrid Touring trim added a wireless charging pad, a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system, and Honda's smart navigation system, which optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it using a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were less satisfactory, with slow response times and poor performance on highway curves.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. New safety features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid also featured blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitor, rear-seat reminder, and rear seatbelt reminder. The vehicle had earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. New airbags, dashboard patches, and a stiffer structure enhanced safety, while increased visibility improved collision avoidance.