In the paragraph before Kriyat Shema, the Ashkenazic custom is to begin with the words "ahavah rabbah" by Shacharit, and with the words "ahavat olam" by Ma'ariv/Arvit.
The Sephardic custom is to always begin with the words "ahavat olam" by both Shacharit and Ma'ariv/Arvit, and this is the custom of (most) Hasidim as well.
There is an argument in the Gemara (B'rachot 11b) about whether the paragraph begins with the words "ahavah rabbah" or "ahavat olam". I assume the reason Ashkenazim say both versions is to satisfy both the opinions of the Gemara. If this is so, why do Sephardim always recite "ahavat olam" instead of trying to satisfy both opinions, especially when it seems to me that the Gemara prefers the wording of "ahavah rabbah"?
(Ignore all the other textual differences between the Ashkenazic, Sephardic, and Hasidic nusachot and focus only on the opening words of the paragraph.)
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