2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile compared to the traditional upright Range Rover. The front end was rounded, while the rear tapered slightly, maintaining its SUV identity with a broad front end and short overhangs for better off-road capability. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar boasted high-quality leather upholstery and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, maintaining a boxy profile and blunt front end while adding character through softer lines and chrome accents. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive touch. The XC90 Inscription trim featured extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, while the R-Design trim offered a sportier look. The XC90 was a car-based crossover, sharing its platform with other Volvo models. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged materials and a natural wood trim. The interior offered a wool upholstery option and an Orrefors crystal shifter, adding a touch of luxury to the otherwise restrained design.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a V8 engine for the first time in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Land Rover claimed a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar was not the quickest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering faster acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined feel, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with either 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar also featured off-road tech like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, but its single-speed transfer case limited its off-road capabilities.

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 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the power, the XC90's small engine struggled with acceleration, especially in all-electric mode. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, with an optional air-suspension system providing a smooth experience. It had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was an in-betweener in size, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. It felt bigger on the road but didn't offer more interior space. The Velar had 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. Its avant-garde styling limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel inside. The cockpit-like front seating area was cramped, with limited legroom. The Velar had a towing capacity of 5,511 pounds for the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. An optional power moonroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The XC90 offered 11.2 cubic feet of cargo space 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 had a hands-free power tailgate and standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone, navigation, and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system had high-quality graphics but slow responses. The Velar also had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was user-friendly, with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. It also had two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, but the text was difficult to read while driving. The XC90 offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

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 more standard safety features than most competitors, including lane-keep assist, a 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 combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.