2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac XT4, with its Premium Luxury trim, presented a more luxurious than sporty appearance. It featured front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, along with a navigation system and a Bose premium audio system. The XT4's exterior was visually appealing, especially with its 20-inch alloy wheels, showcasing crisp, tailored styling. However, the front overhang was a bit excessive due to its front-drive platform. Inside, the cabin was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls seemed out of place for a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a successful design evolution for Volvo, maintaining its traditional styling while adding character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end but introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring natural-looking matte-finish wood trim and unique upholstery options like wool. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end touch, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a lively driving character, thanks to its fat band of torque available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts, though it hesitated to downshift in Tour mode, a problem somewhat mitigated in Sport mode. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The oversized 20-inch wheels provided impressive grip, and the brakes performed well, making the XT4 fun to drive on smooth pavement. However, the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, and the cabin was not well isolated from engine and road noise.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the T8 provided ample power, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. However, the XC90's gasoline engine often had to assist even at low speeds, limiting the effectiveness of its all-electric Pure mode. The XC90 also offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was notably effective, quickly cooling the interior during a heatwave. The interior featured a clean, minimalistic design with ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space was also limited, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was easier to use than previous iterations. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and Bluetooth pairing. The 8-inch touchscreen was a bit small for a luxury vehicle, and the climate system was not integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. However, the test car lacked some features like a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, though the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the second-row USB-C ports limited charging options for newer phones. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 included forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat system as standard. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package offered additional features like automatic high-beam headlights and lane-keeping assistance. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not completed all testing.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. It also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.