2021 Jeep Renegade 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, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were standard, adding to the vehicle's distinctive look. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint, paired with a beige-leather and aluminum interior, created a stunning visual contrast. The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, with options for 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 Jeep Renegade drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The Renegade's design was refreshed in 2019 and carried over to 2021, with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, putting controls within easy reach. The Renegade came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment. The Sport trim included push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a USB port, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like keyless passive entry, remote start, alloy wheels, and unique badging. The adventure-minded Upland trim came with beefed-up skid plates and a unique front bumper, while the luxury-focused Limited trim offered leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The Trailhawk trim, designed for off-road capability, included skid plates, tow hooks, a lifted suspension, and all-terrain tires.

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 was deemed insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger added to the turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. The T8 plug-in hybrid variant offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles. However, the added weight of the hybrid system negated the speed benefits. The XC90's fuel economy was unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 hybrid achieved 27 mpg combined once the battery depleted. The XC90's handling was comfortable and quiet, but it lacked sporty dynamics, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The turbocharged engine provided better performance due to its higher torque, but the automatic transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. The Renegade offered a solid ride quality, with composed suspension over rough surfaces and impressive maneuverability in tight spaces. The Trailhawk trim featured an off-road suspension, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and a terrain management system with Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock drive modes, making it capable on trails.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which initialized quickly and responded well to inputs. The system housed all 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 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 tight and suitable 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 excellent.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in use. These specs were above average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Renegade's tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space for adults in the rear. The Renegade featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies, trays, and optional equipment tie-down solutions. The front passenger seat could fold completely forward, creating a table for gear or added space for long items.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The system was accurate and smart, especially in lower-speed traffic. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers, 1,400 watts of power, and surround-sound processing. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, with high-resolution graphics and easy-to-use controls. However, onboard apps were slow to load, and the instrument panel offered limited customization compared to competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, with a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on both screens, and a Kenwood premium audio system was available.

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, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were optional. The Renegade received a four-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. Parallel parking assist was also available as an option.