2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity, however, contributed to its timeless appeal, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and body-colored C-pillar were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious touches, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's conservative image with its 2016 redesign, adding character while retaining recognizable Volvo elements. The XC90's design featured a boxy profile, a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome trim 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 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, contributing to its modern crossover appeal. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery to the rear wheels, with an optional four-wheel-drive (4WD) system available. The Expedition offered 9.8 inches of ground clearance (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities: 9,300 pounds with rear-drive, 9,200 pounds with 4WD, and 9,000 pounds for MAX versions. The Expedition's driving experience was mostly pleasing, with ample power and a surprisingly tight turning radius. However, the steering was slow, and the ride could be busy on imperfect pavement due to the oversized 22-inch wheels. The independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, as well as interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added supercharging, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid (Recharge) combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with front-wheel drive (FWD), while all-wheel drive (AWD) was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the power, the small engine struggled with flexibility, and the XC90 Recharge had difficulty accelerating on electric power alone. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to the optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. Towing capacity was respectable at 5,000 pounds (4,000 pounds for the base FWD T5), though less than some competitors.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch's power running boards made entry easy, and all seats were comfortable, especially the heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row bench was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard-length Expedition, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row down. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average, with the third row being tight for adults. 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 backrest massage, though the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console bin and few console storage options. Cargo space was 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, placing it near the bottom of the segment.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was easy to use but occasionally slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were also available, the latter providing a knob to control the trailer's direction while the SUV's steering autonomously adjusted.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system featured a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A and two rear USB-C ports. An optional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text and typeface could be difficult to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ADAS performed well, though the lane departure warning vibration could be confused with road surface vibrations. The Expedition received 5-star ratings in all NHTSA crash tests except for a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition.

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 and "Superior" ratings for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The NHTSA awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist was smooth and quick to react but struggled with highway curves.