2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, and a more aggressive chin spoiler, all complemented by bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were signature elements that made the XC90 instantly recognizable. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint, paired with a beige-leather and aluminum interior, added a touch of sophistication. The interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with options like matte wood trim, wool fabric seats, and leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim. The seats were designed for long-distance comfort, offering power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage features. The cabin was filled with rich leather, padded materials, and finer details like the Swedish flag tag and twist-action ignition knob, emphasizing simplicity and quality.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 aimed to reverse the brand's decline in refinement, with updates that included a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. The exterior featured standard LED lights that highlighted the XT5's beefy proportions and stylish posterior. The Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. The interior design was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials. However, the XT5's interior comfort was a mixed bag, with hard bottom cushions on the front seats detracting from long-distance comfort. The cargo space was reasonable at 30 cubic feet, though it was hampered by wheel bump-outs. The cargo-management system and hands-free programmable height liftgate added convenience, but small-item storage was limited.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's mid-range acceleration was good but not exceptional, and the engine noise was unrefined. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but its added weight negated the speed benefits, and its fuel economy was only slightly better at 27 mpg combined. The XC90's handling was comfortable but lacked sportiness, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 came in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 hp and 237 lb-ft, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunky downshifts, and the Sport mode made shifts jittery. The throttle response was immediate, but the XT5 could benefit from more low-end torque. Fuel economy for the AWD V6 was about 25 mpg, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. The XT5's fuel economy was comparable to rivals like the Infiniti QX50 and Acura RDX. The XT5 handled well on the road, providing a comfortable driving experience.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous models, though it placed all climate controls within the touchscreen. The system was well-organized, but some safety features were buried in menus. The XC90 offered seven seats as standard, with an integrated booster cushion for young children in the second row. The six-seat configuration was available on certain trims, providing generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows. The third row was tight and best suited for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, and sightlines from the driver's seat were good.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared for long trips. Heated front seats were standard, and the climate control system adjusted automatically based on the interior temperature. The XT5 had 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors, but the deep rear cargo area was useful. The cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The four-zone climate control was also standard. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an immersive audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options. Volvo needed to improve the digital screen and show individual tire pressures in the TPMS sensors.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system and center stack with haptic feedback via hidden-button functionality. The tri-zone automatic climate control had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments, though it often ran colder than displayed. The XT5 offered a heated steering wheel, heated outboard rear seats, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The infotainment system had a rotary controller on the center console, which crowded the screen's aesthetics. The XT5 came with an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, USB-A and USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The rear camera mirror was useful at night but distracting during the day. The fully-digital instrument cluster and head-up display provided necessary vehicle information.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system for the front seats.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5's safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. The XT5 also offered Night Vision technology, enhancing nighttime drivability by illuminating large wildlife and hazards. General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.