2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, especially in its Premier trim, presented a clean and appealing design without relying heavily on typical SUV styling cues. It featured a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive, and a panoramic sunroof, with a price tag of $40,040, including destination charges. However, Chevrolet often included rebates and incentives, reducing the cost significantly. The Equinox Premier stood out with its 19-inch wheels, gray contrast cladding, roof rails, and chrome detailing, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the high-contrast cabin with Jet Black and Brandy leather, along with metallic accents, looked upscale, though the presence of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 embraced traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's design language through features like "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights. The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific wheels. It offered a minimalist interior with high-quality materials, including Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, and a coherent design that integrated elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen seamlessly. The XC40's interior design did not compromise on quality, maintaining a premium feel throughout.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It provided adequate performance for most drivers, though it fell short of the EPA's fuel economy ratings. The optional 2.0-liter turbo engine, with 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, offered better performance and a 9-speed automatic transmission, though it also underperformed in fuel economy compared to EPA estimates. Both versions had firm ride qualities and suffered from road and wind noise, but the Premier's larger wheels provided a more athletic driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base T4 model had a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 187 horsepower, while the T5 offered 248 horsepower. The electric Recharge model, with dual electric motors, produced 402 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized comfort and quietness, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for electric car enthusiasts.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox provided a comfortable interior with options for cloth or leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heated features. The sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space, offering generous legroom in its rearmost position. Cargo volume measured 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The cabin featured ample storage, including a large center console bin and various cubbies.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while not particularly spacious, offered clever storage solutions. It had less legroom and headroom compared to some competitors, but the center console included a removable trash bin, and the glovebox had a built-in bag hook. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was designed to hold a phone securely, with optional wireless charging. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreens, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, and a Bose premium sound system. The technology was intuitive and easy to use, with options for wireless smartphone charging and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with built-in Google features. The Recharge also offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation, and future updates might include a Digital Key feature.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. It also featured a reversing camera, rear-seat reminder, and Teen Driver technology. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and high-definition cameras. The Equinox earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe choice.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for its gasoline models. The electric Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model also had a scalable sensor suite for future driver aid enhancements.