2021 INFINITI QX50 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 a blacked-out honeycomb grille, black window surrounds, mirrors, and a more aggressive chin spoiler, complemented by bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, emphasizing the vehicle's elegance and craftsmanship.

Inside, the XC90 offered a luxurious experience with options like matte wood trim and wool fabric seats in the Inscription models, and leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim in the R-Design. The seats were exceptionally comfortable, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage features. The rear seats, available as a bench or captain's chairs, were nearly as comfortable as the front. The cabin was filled with high-quality materials, including rich leather on the dash and doors, and padded materials for added safety and comfort. The attention to detail, such as the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and the twist-action ignition knob, highlighted Volvo's commitment to craftsmanship and simplicity.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and innovative engineering. The large honeycomb grille, curved hood with athletic bulges, and a unique chrome strip aft of the C-pillar gave the QX50 a sporty and characterful appearance. The panoramic moonroof added to the airy feel of the cabin, offering magnificent views of the sky.

Inside, the QX50 featured an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials, aluminum interior trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and cooling, enhancing comfort in various weather conditions. The interior controls were user-friendly, with actual knobs and buttons for radio and climate control settings. The gear shift lever, though somewhat unconventional, was easy to use. The QX50's interior space was generous, with plenty of hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible cargo space.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with 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 further boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined. Fuel economy was also 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 the added weight negated the speed benefits, and the fuel economy was only slightly better at 27 mpg combined.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a single powertrain option: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The engine produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for better efficiency or power as needed. The CVT, while not perfect, provided a smooth and quiet driving experience. The QX50 offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. The drive mode selector allowed for adjustments in engine torque, transmission shift points, and steering effort, with four modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal. Sport mode provided brisk acceleration and increased steering effort, while Eco mode was best suited for long-distance highway driving.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous versions, though it still had some quirks. The system controlled all climate functions, including seat and steering wheel heating, through the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats as standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on the T6 and T8 powertrains but not on the R-Design model. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was best suited for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 felt spacious inside, with plenty of hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The optional Cargo package provided additional storage solutions. The QX50 also featured numerous cupholders, storage bins, and charging options, including USB ports and a 12-volt charging port.

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 Bowers & Wilkins stereo system, with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, provided an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could display the map between the analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured Infiniti's InTouch infotainment system with dual display screens—an 8-inch upper LCD/VGA and a 7-inch lower color unit. The system included voice recognition and Infiniti InTouch Services, offering navigation, entertainment, communications, convenience, and safety features. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system delivered crisp, powerful sound. The QX50 also came with Infiniti's Around View Monitor and ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though the 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 safety systems.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and more. The QX50 received four out of five stars for rollover resistance from the NHTSA, and the structurally similar 2020 model received five-star ratings for overall, front, and side crash protection. The IIHS gave the QX50 Good ratings for moderate overlap front and side crash protection and a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.