2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The various trims, from the basic Sport to the off-road king Rubicon, offered a range of features, from manual windows and locks to advanced infotainment systems and heated seats.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its blend of traditional and modern design elements. It retained Volvo's boxy profile and rectangular grille but added softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The Inscription trim featured luxurious touches like a crystal shifter and wool upholstery, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic aesthetics, respectively.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine came with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, delivering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, producing 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, provided excellent low-speed performance and fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler's on-road performance was less refined, with significant road noise and a rough ride.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 engine added supercharging, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the XC90 offered a smooth and quiet ride, its small engine struggled with acceleration, especially in all-electric mode. The XC90's towing capacity was respectable at 5,000 pounds for most models, but the base FWD T5 was limited to 4,000 pounds.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door Unlimited, which was more popular, offered features like removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a retractable or removable roof. The base soft top could be partially or fully retracted, while the hardtop provided more protection from the elements. With the rear bench lowered, the Wrangler Unlimited offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than many less-capable SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90's upright roof profile and optional power moonroof gave the interior a spacious feel. Cargo space was limited, with 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. The XC90 also featured a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available as an option on the Sport S. The Sahara and Rubicon could also be equipped with an 8.4-inch Uconnect system, adding navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system.

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. The system was user-friendly, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for easy navigation. However, the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came standard with airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive list of 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 provided smooth adaptive cruise control and lane centering but struggled with highway curves.