2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Ford Explorer showcased a revamped persona, shedding excess body fat to unveil a sleek, athletic 3-row SUV. Drawing inspiration from its predecessors, the new look was more refined, replacing any disproportions with a streamlined design. Widened headlights, a bold grille, and the iconic italic "Explorer" embossed on the hood spotlighted its imposing presence. The ST version, adorned with blacked-out trim, 21-inch rims, red brake calipers, and quad exhaust pipes, epitomized a sporty allure, especially in its rich Rapid Red paint which made the vehicle strikingly attractive on the road.

However, the interior proved less impressive. Despite a price tag that soared well into luxury territory, the use of low-grade vinyl posing as leather and an overload of coarse plastic were major letdowns. Elements like fake carbon-fiber trim and rough-grained plastic dominated the surfaces. Some relief came from the padded dashboard top and aluminum speaker covers, but they were insufficient to create a luxury feel. While the switchgear was solid, overall, the cabin couldn’t compete with refined interiors at similar price points.

Conversely, the 2020 Volvo XC90 shone with classic elegance, blending heritage with Modern Swedish design. The R-Design trim, with its blacked-out grille bars, honeycomb treatments, and aggressive spoilers, provided a harmonious contrast with 22-inch rims and Thor’s hammer LED headlights. The rear showcased tall, thin curvy LED taillights marking the vehicle as unmistakably a Volvo, while the tasteful shoulder crease borrowed from older models exuded stability and grace. Thunder Grey Metallic paint highlighted the XC90's sophisticated lines, while the beige-leather and aluminum interior added a complementary wow factor.

The cabin of the XC90 spoke volumes of luxury. Offering wool fabric seats in Inscription trim and carbon-fiber or aluminum trims in R-Design, Volvo curated a masterclass in comfort. Richly sculpted seats with power-adjustable thigh extensions, optional massage, and generous rear bench seats contributed to a luxurious and supportive experience. The combination of premium leather, finely padded materials, and crafty detailing like the Swedish flag tag and leather-draped console exemplified the thoughtfulness and high-quality ethos imbued in the XC90's design.

The powertrain options were noteworthy. The ST housed a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engaging driving experience, bolstered by seamless power delivery, left little competition at its price point. The Platinum trim offered a slightly toned-down version with 365 hp and 380 lb-ft. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft provided a solid option within the lineup. A hybrid option with a 3.3-liter V6 enhanced by an electric motor delivered 318 hp but was less compelling given its minor fuel economy improvements. The Explorer featured significant towing capabilities, varying from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds depending on the engine.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model generated 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. However, its performance was inadequate for the XC90’s heft. The T6, with AWD and added supercharger, improved power levels to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, essential for keeping up with traffic. Polestar tuning further increased these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft, yet the driving feel wasn't significantly improved. Fuel economy remained mediocre, with the T6 AWD averaging 20 mpg over extended highway trips.

The standout was the T8 plug-in hybrid model, boasting 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, but did not substantially enhance speed due to the added weight from the hybrid system. Driving experience was serene, yet the limited electric range and cost inefficiency did not justify the premium price.

The XC90's dynamics, even with features like the adaptive air suspension, were not tailored for engaging sporty driving. The wide tires offered ample grip, but the steering lacked accuracy and feedback, catering more to those seeking quiet comfort than thrill-seekers.

Interior spaciousness and cargo functionality set the 2020 Ford Explorer apart. The new design expanded passenger comfort, with an airy feel in all three rows. In the third row, six-foot adults could manage short trips without feeling cramped. The wide rear-door openings and captain’s chair's easy-exit mechanism enhanced passenger ease. Cargo space stood out, reaching up to 88 cubic feet with all seats folded, larger than its predecessor and among the largest in its class.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 catered well to families with a seven-seat standard configuration. The second-row booster cushion was a unique family-friendly feature. Though options existed for six-seat arrangements, the third row remained cramped, only suitable for small children. The XC90's cargo capacity peaked at 85.7 cubic feet, slightly less than the Explorer. The overall layout was practical, but not designed to maximize cargo space the way the Explorer managed.

Ford’s 2020 Explorer ensured robust tech features right from the base model. An 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Sync 3 infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, was standard. Additional tech perks included 4G WiFi, keyless entry, remote start, and a user-friendly keyless entry keypad. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, though some digital features felt underutilized and could benefit from software updates.

Volvo's 2020 XC90 excelled with its Pilot Assist, an outstanding semi-automated driving system. The four-zone climate control and Bowers & Wilkins stereo system made the XC90's cabin feel incredibly luxurious. The portrait-oriented touchscreen, though slow to load apps, displayed high-resolution maps and facilitated tablet-like interactions. Yet, the digital instrument panel lacked configurability, limiting user customization options available in competitor models.

The 2020 Ford Explorer's safety suite, part of the Co-Pilot 360 standard package, included essential features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. While additional features in the Assist+ option like adaptive cruise control added value, certain systems like reverse braking showed unexpected glitches. Partial crash-test ratings from the IIHS placed the Explorer in an Acceptable category for the driver's side small overlap test.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 boasted impeccable safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test impacted its top safety pick "+" designation. Volvo’s longstanding commitment to safety shone through with features like forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and a unique whiplash protection system. The XC90's use of high-strength materials and innovative protectors cemented its credibility in maintaining passenger safety.