2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation of Honda's compact crossover, had a design that remained familiar yet fun since its introduction in the 2017 model year. Its exterior featured curvy, car-like lines, resembling Honda's sedan lineup, giving it an overall appearance closer to a station wagon than an SUV. This styling was exemplary of modern family transportation, offering a practical demeanor for everyday use.

However, the interior told a different story. With a mix of textures and materials, including upscale wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims, the interior also had low-quality plastics that detracted from its premium feel. This combination reminded drivers that an expensive CR-V was essentially a priced-up version of a more basic vehicle.

The base CR-V LX with front-wheel drive started at just $26,270. Honda simplified the trims into four levels: LX, EX ($28,720), EX-L ($31,270), and Touring ($34,470), each backed by a standard three-year or 36,000-mile warranty. All-wheel drive was available as a $1,500 option across all trims. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels were enhanced with 18-inch wheels for the EX and 19-inch wheels for the Touring. Lower trims had fabric seating, while higher trims offered real leather. Additionally, a retractable moonroof was standard on all but the LX, and roof rails were fitted only to the top-tier Touring model, emphasizing the CR-V's car-like aesthetic.

Conversely, the 2021 Volvo XC60, built on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform since 2018, shared its structure with other 60 and 90 series models. This Swedish-designed crossover had a sophisticated, athletic look with short front and rear overhangs, combined with refined body details. Its upright grille bore Volvo’s iron mark logo, flanked by headlights featuring Thor's hammer LED daytime running lights, encapsulating a distinct Scandinavian design ethos.

The XC60’s paint, chrome, and trim exuded quality, complemented by alloy wheels up to 21 inches on higher trims. Inside, the cabin was a sanctuary of clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The focal point was its 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, which had become more acceptable over the years. Even the HVAC vents showcased thoughtful design, operated by a single, elegant knob, reflecting the attention to detail throughout the XC60's interior.

The 2020 Honda CR-V streamlined its offerings by focusing solely on a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, previously available only in higher trims. This engine produced 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite CVTs often being criticized for sluggish response and high-rev droning, Honda’s CVT offered a credible imitation of a traditional automatic, providing a quick, responsive drive, especially in Sport mode.

The CR-V's handling was car-like with nimble performance and minimal body roll, contributing to an overall weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model. This lightweight design helped both acceleration and fuel economy, with FWD models achieving an EPA rating of 30 mpg combined and AWD models achieving 29 mpg. This put the CR-V at the top of its class, comparable to the Subaru Forester and surpassing the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. Honda also introduced a hybrid variant for 2020, targeting buyers focused on maximum fuel efficiency.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC60 offered several powertrain options, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models delivered 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque with FWD or AWD. The T6 models, equipped with both turbocharging and supercharging, produced 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 models, adding an 87-horsepower electric motor, achieved 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque combined—pushed further to 415 horsepower in the T8 Polestar Engineered variant.

The XC60 T8 models functioned as plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), offering up to 19 miles of electric-only driving. These models seamlessly switched between electric and gasoline modes, optimizing performance and energy recapture efficiently. The XC60's responsive AWD system and torque vectoring facilitated confident cornering and swift handling, complemented by a quiet cabin and a smooth suspension that made it an ideal choice for road trips.

Comparatively, the XC60 presented a more robust performance spectrum, while the CR-V provided a balanced blend of adequate power and superior fuel efficiency.

Honda's knack for intelligent space utilization was evident in the 2020 CR-V. The cabin was roomy, with ample head- and legroom in both the front and rear seats, despite the CR-V being three inches shorter than the Volkswagen Tiguan. The driving position leveraged a low cowl, ensuring excellent visibility and a commanding view of the road.

Cargo space was another highlight, matching the Tiguan with 75.8 cubic feet of space when the rear seats were folded. Innovative storage solutions included a deep center console influenced by the Odyssey minivan, a two-position load floor in the trunk, and expansive door pockets. This thoughtful design made living with the CR-V convenient, allowing for organized storage of personal and family items.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 also excelled in form and function, designed to safely and comfortably transport occupants. Volvo's seats were highly adjustable and supportive, especially beneficial in winter conditions, thanks to rapid-heating front seats and effective climate control systems. Superior defrosting and heating capabilities provided additional comfort during cold weather.

Storage solutions in the XC60 included well-designed compartments in the center console, door panels, and rear seatback pockets. The crossover offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 also boasted a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, highlighting its practical utility in addition to its luxury.

In terms of technology, the 2020 Honda CR-V showed signs of aging. The LX trim featured a basic 5-inch screen with limited functionality, offering Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility. Upgrading to higher trims brought a slightly larger 7-inch touchscreen, which still felt small compared to competitors' offerings. The CR-V’s infotainment system lacked hard buttons, except for a power/volume knob, making navigation cumbersome. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger screen, integration wasn’t seamless.

However, Honda equipped the CR-V with a generous number of USB ports in the EX trim and above, including two high-powered ports in the rear. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger, catering to modern connectivity needs.

Conversely, the 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the advanced Sensus infotainment system. This touchpad interface resembled an iPad, utilizing swipe, pinch, and pull gestures familiar to tablet users. Sensus segmented functions into quadrants, making navigation intuitive once users adapted to the interface. The system offered smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot, complemented by Volvo’s On Call app for remote functionalities.

The XC60's premium audio system options, especially the Bowers & Wilkins system, provided high-quality sound experiences, further enhancing the cabin's luxury feel.

Safety was a strong suit for both vehicles, but the 2021 Volvo XC60 had a slight edge.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. All trims featured automatic high beams, while EX trims and above added blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, although halogen headlights on lower trims scored lower, elevating the importance of the LED headlights on the Touring trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, inheriting Volvo’s rich safety legacy, included numerous advanced safety features. Standard features comprised LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and several innovative mitigations for road incidents. The XC60 also offered Pilot Assist, Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. With a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA for most models, the XC60 was exemplary in safety.