Compare the2022 Land Rover Range Rover EvoqueVS 2021 Ford Explorer

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Range Rover Evoque. But it costs extra on the Explorer.

Both the Range Rover Evoque and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Range Rover Evoque comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Explorer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Range Rover Evoque’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Explorer’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Range Rover Evoque’s reliability 17 points higher than the Explorer.

On the EPA test cycle the Range Rover Evoque 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the Explorer Platinum 3.0 turbo V6 4WD (20 city/27 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Range Rover Evoque’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Ford only offers a regenerative brake system on the Explorer Hybrid.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque higher (7 out of 10) than the Ford Explorer (5). This means the Range Rover Evoque produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Explorer every 15,000 miles.

The Range Rover Evoque stops much shorter than the Explorer:

The Range Rover Evoque’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Explorer’s standard 65 series tires.

The Range Rover Evoque offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Explorer’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Range Rover Evoque R-Dynamic HST handles at .83 G’s, while the Explorer XLT 4WD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Range Rover Evoque’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Explorer’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Evoque has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Explorer (8.3 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Range Rover Evoque to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 900 pounds less than the Ford Explorer.

The Range Rover Evoque is 2 feet, 2.7 inches shorter than the Explorer, making the Range Rover Evoque easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Range Rover Evoque has a much larger cargo volume than the Explorer with its rear seat up (21.6 vs. 18.2 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Range Rover Evoque easier. The Range Rover Evoque’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.7 inches, while the Explorer’s liftover is 31.1 inches.

The Range Rover Evoque’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (3968 vs. 3000 pounds).

The Range Rover Evoque uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Explorer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional in the Explorer (except Base/XLT), the Range Rover Evoque offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Range Rover Evoque offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Explorer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Range Rover Evoque’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Explorer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Range Rover Evoque’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Explorer’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Range Rover Evoque to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Explorer doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Range Rover Evoque offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Explorer doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Range Rover Evoque’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Explorer XLT/Limited/ST/Platinum.

When the Range Rover Evoque with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Explorer Limited/ST/Platinum offers wireless charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Range Rover Evoque owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Range Rover Evoque with a number “3” insurance rate while the Explorer is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Range Rover Evoque is less expensive to operate than the Explorer because it costs $54 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Range Rover Evoque than the Explorer, including $195 less for a water pump, $116 less for a muffler, $235 less for a timing belt/chain and $688 less for a power steering pump.