2022 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent a subtle evolution rather than a radical redesign. Its front and side profiles remained largely unchanged from the previous generation, characterized by a broad, rounded face and expansive, unadorned sheet metal. A notable update was the vertical accent strip under the mirrors, replacing the old L-shaped trim. The rear of the vehicle saw the most significant change, with the introduction of thin LED taillights integrated into a darker trim element, replacing the previous square taillights. The Range Rover continued to emphasize its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version, which added eight inches in length. Inside, the cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger tablet-like touchscreen, offering a modern look. Premium leather and rich wood trim elements adorned the interior, providing a luxurious feel akin to high-end fashion accessories. The Range Rover's interior quality surpassed that of competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and Cadillac Escalade, rivaling even more expensive Maybach and Bentley models.

The 2023 Honda HR-V received a substantial styling update, shedding some of the quirky charm of its predecessor for a more sophisticated and modern appearance. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker look, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The windshield wipers were tucked under the hood's lip, and the black molding strips on the roof were removed. The HR-V was available in new colors, including Nordic Forest Pearl. Standard 17-inch silver alloy wheels adorned the base model, while the Sport trim featured 18-inch black alloy wheels and a more aggressive grille. Inside, the HR-V offered a comfortable cabin with new seats available in black or gray cloth, with the Sport trim adding orange contrast stitching and additional features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats. The EX-L trim boasted perforated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and an eight-way power driver's seat. The interior design followed the refinement trend set by the 2022 Civic, with premium touches like a metal honeycomb grille and touch-sensitive lights. Despite the fastback design, visibility remained excellent, with larger rear seat windows and door-mounted mirrors.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrain options. The base P400 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid component, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The P530 upgrade boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The P400 powertrain provided effortless acceleration, with Land Rover estimating a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, impressive for an SUV weighing nearly 6,000 pounds. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile, with well-managed body roll and a calm, composed driving experience. Standard rear-wheel steering enhanced maneuverability, making it easy to navigate tight spaces. The Range Rover excelled off-road, thanks to its Terrain Response system, which automatically adjusted the suspension and drivetrain for optimal traction. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Range Rover maintained a smooth ride quality, with minimal wind and road noise, ensuring a comfortable and quiet cabin.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) incorporated a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds during acceleration. The HR-V offered Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available by pulling the shifter back. Snow mode adjusted the transmission and throttle response for reduced traction, while ECON mode optimized fuel efficiency. Sport mode kept the engine in the power band but did not affect steering response. The HR-V was available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and its new suspension and widened tracks made it enjoyable to drive on winding roads. However, it lacked the power of some competitors, and the cabin was noisier at higher speeds. The HR-V's driving experience was fun for its segment, but it faced competition from models like the Kia Seltos, Ford Bronco Sport, and Subaru Crosstrek, which offered multiple powertrain options.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover provided ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Outward visibility was excellent, and front passengers benefited from dual sun visors, while second-row occupants enjoyed power sunshades. The front seats were generously cushioned, with available massage functions offering a range of settings. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, cupholders with a hidden compartment, and a large center console bin. The second row offered plenty of space for taller passengers, with power recline and sliding adjustments. Rear climate controls, sunshades, lighting, USB-C charge ports, and a household power outlet were available. The optional third row was accessible with a button, though headroom was limited for adults. Cargo space behind the third row was 17.1 cubic feet, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 93 cubic feet with the second row down. The split tailgate facilitated loading, and buttons lowered the air suspension for easier access.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior despite its smaller size. The center console featured a shelf for drive mode controls, parking brake, and hill-descent control, with two USB ports for cord storage. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed less than half an inch of rear-seat headroom, with 39.4 inches in the front and 38.0 inches in the rear. Cargo space measured 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded, slightly smaller than the previous model. The HR-V's cargo capacity remained among the largest in its class. The Magic Seat was replaced by a hinge for the 60/40 split rear seats, offering a higher seating position and a nearly flat floor when folded. Passenger volume was 98.7 cubic feet for LX and Sport trims and 97.3 for EX-L. Legroom decreased slightly in the rear seats but improved in the front.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover featured a larger 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complementing the wireless charging pad. The screen's placement could have been higher to reduce distraction, but basic climate controls were designed for easy access. The base Meridian audio system delivered impressive sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade available. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone app control.

The 2023 Honda HR-V's infotainment system was now tablet-style, with physical knobs for power and volume. The EX-L trim added buttons for Home, Back, and Seek functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, with wireless versions on the EX-L trim. All HR-Vs featured a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen, while the EX-L had a 9-inch display with a wireless charging pad. The 9-inch system offered programmable shortcuts and Smart Shortcuts using machine learning. Standard features included three USB-A ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system, with upgrades available on higher trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, which was common for luxury SUVs. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. These features performed well, with the surround-view cameras proving especially useful off-road. While adequately equipped, the Range Rover lacked some advanced features found in rivals, such as advanced high beams and emergency stop functions.

The 2023 Honda HR-V now included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems as standard across all trims. This suite featured adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A driver-attention monitor was standard, and a blind-spot information system was available on higher trims. The HR-V had not been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" scores from the IIHS.