2020 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

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, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive, while the Thunder Grey Metallic paint contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior. The cabin's simplicity and quality, with features like wool fabric seats and a twist-action ignition knob, highlighted Volvo's craftsmanship.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse relied on styling details to differentiate its trim levels, giving it a more generic SUV appearance. The RS model had blacked-out trim, while the High Country model featured chrome accents. The Traverse's exterior was clean and handsome, though it lacked the personality of competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. Inside, the Traverse offered a restrained design with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials in the RS trim were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 price tag, a common issue among midsize three-row crossovers.

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, with a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, making it more suitable for fast-flowing traffic. The Polestar tune boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's performance was not linear, 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 but had limited electric range and added weight, making it less appealing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, it lacked agility on twisty roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which was faster and more responsive than previous versions. The system integrated climate controls within the touchscreen, with physical buttons for defrosters, volume, and seek controls. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The XC90 offered generous legroom in the first and second rows, though the third row was tight. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, interior storage options were limited, typical of midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-resolution and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The Traverse retained analog controls for audio and climate, which were user-friendly. The rearview camera mirror and HD surround-view camera system enhanced visibility and maneuverability. Chevy provided two USB ports for each row, with wireless phone charging standard on higher trims.

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 and advanced airbag systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse also received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though its headlight ratings varied by trim. Chevy offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with adaptive cruise control only available on the top trim. Optional safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.