2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 was a testament to the brand's design evolution, showcasing a blend of modern aesthetics and classic Volvo elements. The SUV's exterior featured a striking grille with blacked-out, honeycomb accents on the R-Design trim, complemented by black window surrounds and mirrors. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and curving LED taillights were distinctive, enhancing the vehicle's identity. Inside, the XC90 offered a luxurious experience with options like matte wood trim and wool fabric seats, while the R-Design model boasted leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim. The seats were praised for their comfort and support, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage features. The interior's craftsmanship was evident in details like the Swedish flag tag and the twist-action ignition knob, emphasizing simplicity and quality.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication, drawing from its rich heritage. The SUV's design was timeless, with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. The test model, in Byron Blue with silver 21-inch wheels, looked impressive despite its design nearing a decade old. Inside, the Range Rover offered a high-contrast Ivory-color interior with a mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models, it was manageable with some familiarity. The cabin was luxurious, with features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats, though the second row lacked comfort compared to the front.

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 was deemed insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing adequate power for highway driving. The Polestar tune further boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's performance was not without flaws, as the engine lagged in Comfort mode and revved too high in the Polestar Engineered model. 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 2021 Land Rover Range Rover provided a range of powertrain options, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition. This engine produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The SUV's adaptive air suspension offered a comfortable ride, while the turbo-six engine provided smooth and rapid acceleration. However, the steering was slow and syrupy, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity resulted in side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

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 praised for its organization, 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 and best suited for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension included a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked comfort, with insufficient thigh support and a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. Cargo space was also restricted, with a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet available. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

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 model featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, offering an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easy, though onboard apps were slow to load. The digital instrument panel was limited in customization compared to competitors, and the tire pressure monitoring system lacked individual tire pressure display.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured fully digital instrumentation and infotainment, with three displays offering numerous customization options. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring familiarity to navigate effectively. The dual 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during activities. The iGuide smartphone app served as a digital owner's manual, assisting with InControl functions and feature locations.

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, driver-attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in features like the boron steel roof and curtain airbags, which provided protection during rollovers.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages offered additional driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.