SIDE-BY-SIDE: So, How Much DOES The All-New 2013 Range Rover LOOK Like The New Ford Explorer?

I remember it like it was yesterday. Only weeks ago we launched a leaked image of the all-new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover after another outlet "outed" the vehicle before its primetime debut this week.

The comments from the AutoSpies faithful were less than forgiving, with many likening the all-new Rover to a tarted up Ford Explorer.

Of course that's not an accurate assessment. But we do have to say, those headlights and taillights are pretty damn close in terms of design.

But here's the weird thing. Since this week's images hit the web, the commentary here on AutoSpies has been pretty good, actually. Some folks are proclaiming it as beautiful and a nice design. Where did all of that controversy and vitriol go?

That being said, we've decided to do what -- seemingly -- no one else has done. We put together an image that puts both products side-by-side from the same angle.

So, what do you think?

Did Land Rover's design team make the all-new, flagship product a bit too similar to the everyday Ford Explorer?


2013 Land Rover Range Rover Photo Gallery

Henanamani1 - 8/17/2012 12:18:23 AM

+2 Boost

They look nothing alike.(not even the front and rear lights) This Range looks way better!

Henanamani1 - 8/17/2012 1:00:06 PM

+2 Boost

pondosinatra! Relax!!! LOL!!!!

Nostradamus - 8/17/2012 5:30:15 PM

+3 Boost

There are definitely design similarities, and the newish 2013 Range Rover looks like little more than a bloated 2001 Isuzu Axiom with 2012 Ford Explore front and rear lights.

Admittedly... The interior looks nice.

JPIBMW - 8/17/2012 1:50:26 AM

+2 Boost

forget about the explorer! its a ford flex! the front end overall is just bad... they should have just stuck a massive obnoxious "audi" like grille on it!

Holydude - 8/17/2012 2:52:00 AM

+1 Boost

Not bad looking, but I think Range Rover still have to step up even more in their game as their segment is now rife with competitors and soon-to-be competitors.

PJVastine - 8/17/2012 3:44:56 AM

0 Boost

Ford has changed every foreign luxury auto brand they have ever purchased, and turned the unique design quality which defines and brands it, and unfortunately turned it into a fucking Taurus or Ford Explorer or Lincoln. Since Volvo was such a unique square design, they are still having problems morphing it into one of their models.

Jaguar = Lincoln
Range Rover = Explorer
Volvo = ugly

These fine luxury cars of Great Britain's and Sweden's past, so very defined by their unique design elements and trademarks, are unfortunately no longer recognizable. They are all being morphed into Tauruses and Explores and Lincolns. What a shame.

MorePower - 8/17/2012 6:20:32 AM

+1 Boost

Funny since Ford sold all three companies and final designs were carried out by the requisite marque's design team and not Ford's.

The Discovery/LR2/Range Rover Sport shared a chassis with the Explorer, not the Range Rover.

The Mondeo/Contour shared a chassis with the X & S types

Focus was the basis for the S40

85bmw745i - 8/17/2012 11:57:42 AM

+1 Boost

No, the S type did not share chassis with the Mondeo, it shared basic architecture with the Lincoln LS. Mondeo/Contour is a FWD Chassis, LS/S type is RWD. The Discovery does not share the Explorers chassis. I know, I have one,(Discovery II and an LR3) it has a fully boxed frame (something the explorer doesn't have) and The S40 was the basis for the following Generation Focus, Which we did not get in America.

Rsport - 8/17/2012 11:40:26 AM

0 Boost

Whoa! I thought I was really going to hate this,judging by the sneak peeks and some of the cg renderings. I love the new look!

85bmw745i - 8/17/2012 12:01:08 PM

0 Boost

I think the tail lights and headlights share the same design language with the Explorer but thats it. Can't believe Land Rover would consciously do this, but then again, Ford did copy their terrain response, right down to the labels for the different settings. The rest or the Range Rover has no resemblance to the Explorer whatsoever.

85bmw745i - 8/17/2012 12:02:50 PM

0 Boost

I'm waiting for Ford to sue them. They tried to sue Ferrari for using F150 on their formula one car. I can see why, as the race car looks exactly like an F-150 pickup (insert sarcasm).

LSIII - 8/17/2012 12:28:00 PM

+2 Boost

Yes there are some similarities in the head and tail lights, Ford sold Land Rover back in March 2008. Car companies spend years designing and engineering new models. So the Evoque and the new Range Rover had to have began design and engineering when Ford still owned them. So who says Ford didn't steal the design from Land Rover. The sale to Tata probably slowed down the release of those models, and Ford has more resources which could allow Ford to get the Explorer released sooner.

Regardless who cares... If you like the Range Rover enough to buy it, then that's all that matters. If I could afford one I'd buy it.

cdoke - 8/17/2012 1:11:14 PM

0 Boost

Ford was given full access to the JLR design department in the process of selling them. Ford simply took some of the JLR features. This is why there are elements of the Ford Explorer and Ford Taurus that bear some resemblance to the Range Rover & Evoque, and Jaguar XJ respectively.

quizz - 8/17/2012 8:33:03 PM

+1 Boost

Good for Ford, bad for RR

HughJass - 8/17/2012 8:55:27 PM

+1 Boost

This is like choosing between ugly or fat.

JUGNU - 8/18/2012 7:10:11 AM

+1 Boost

Not very elegant. Outgoing model looks much better. When i read few months ago that New Range Rover design is going to be inspired by the Evoque, i wasn't too exited and this now proves it. Front end styling is very poor and rear looks like a Ford Explorer.

wcbrown - 8/20/2012 5:11:46 PM

+1 Boost

It's obvious Ford and Land Rover had a relationship. I instantly said, from the first time I saw the new Ford Explorer that it looked like it could be a Land Rover product. It's almost like Ford took a rejected LR design and created the new Explorer...just sayin'.