2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport 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 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 Volvo's commitment to subtlety and craftsmanship.

The interior of the XC90 was a testament to Volvo's attention to detail and quality. The seats, available in leather, aluminum, or carbon-fiber trim, were sculpted for comfort and support, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats were nearly as comfortable as the front, and the cabin was filled with rich leather and padded materials for both quality and safety. The Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and the twist-action ignition knob were examples of the craftsmanship that set the XC90 apart. The vertical touchscreen integrated seamlessly into the dash, maintaining the theme of simplicity and quality.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since its 2005 launch, continued to impress with its refreshed design from 2018. The dual-screen center console became a defining feature of Land Rover interiors, and the availability of a plug-in hybrid variant and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added to its appeal. The Range Rover Sport offered a range of trims, from the base SE to the high-performance SVR Carbon Edition, each with its own set of luxurious features.

The interior of the Range Rover Sport was dominated by the dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen managing the infotainment system. The system, while not always intuitive, featured integrated dials that controlled various functions, from fan speed to off-road settings. The touchscreen layout was simplified, with reasonably sized icons for easy navigation between menus. The Range Rover Sport also offered a real volume button, though it was somewhat inconveniently placed. Overall, the infotainment system had a learning curve but was functional once mastered.

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. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was not refined. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined.

The T8 plug-in hybrid version 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, and the fuel economy was not significantly better than the T6. The Polestar upgrade for the T8 was not available for the latest model. The XC90's handling was comfortable and quiet, but it lacked sporty dynamics, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrain options. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The HST model's P400 powertrain delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The HSE Silver Edition offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid producing 398 hp and 472 lb-ft, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 generating 254 hp and 443 lb-ft.

The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims featured a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition had a more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The Range Rover Sport's air suspension and Terrain Response system provided impressive off-road capabilities and stable on-road performance. Towing capacity was up to 7,716 pounds for most models, with the SVR capable of towing 6,613 pounds.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous models, with all climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The system was well-organized, though some safety features were buried in menus. 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 best suited for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, but with only 10.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, with luxurious appointments, while the third row was tight and best suited for children.

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 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 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by the dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen managing the infotainment system. The system had a learning curve but featured integrated dials for various functions. The touchscreen layout was simplified, with easy navigation between menus and a real volume button. However, the system was not always intuitive and had some bugs in earlier models.

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 safety systems.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were available as options. Other available features included a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist.