2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep design elements, including round headlights, a 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It offered a range of trim levels, from the base Sport to the off-road-ready Trailhawk, with special editions like the Jeepster and High Altitude. The High Altitude trim, priced at $36,515, featured extras like dark gray 19-inch wheels and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, giving it a more mature appearance. Despite these upscale touches, the interior was dominated by hard plastics, which detracted from its overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 boasted a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch. It shared familial design cues with other Volvo models, such as the "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, had unique features like a blanked-off grille and model-specific alloy wheels. Inside, the XC40 offered a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like a portrait-oriented touchscreen and real metal trim, providing a premium feel.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder producing 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The latter, tested in the High Altitude trim, provided energetic performance with peak torque at 1,750 rpm. However, it suffered from turbo lag and a nine-speed automatic transmission that prioritized fuel economy over responsiveness. The Renegade's driving dynamics were marred by a flinty ride, sloppy steering, and a noisy cabin, making highway driving less enjoyable. The Trailhawk trim was the best choice for off-roading enthusiasts, offering enhanced capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. Gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower in the FWD T4 and 248 horsepower in the AWD T5. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, delivered 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge model offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's interior felt spacious due to its boxy design and panoramic glass roof, but it was not as roomy as it appeared. The front seats were comfortable with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, but rear-seat space was cramped. The Renegade lacked practical interior storage and had limited cargo space, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.8 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in gasoline and Recharge variants, offered clever storage solutions despite limited passenger and cargo space. It had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, features like a removable trash bin, large door bins, and a well-designed storage cubby added practicality. The XC40's interior was more competitive against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, with thoughtful design elements enhancing its utility.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade impressed with its technology offerings, including the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. It featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Kenwood premium audio system provided good sound quality, and the Renegade offered a comprehensive driver information center and parking assist system.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model also offered OTA update capability, enhancing its functionality over time. The lack of a start button and the potential for a Digital Key feature added to its modern appeal.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, some features lacked refinement, and the Renegade received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection. The IIHS scores were commendable, but it did not retain its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.