2021 Subaru Forester 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, adding a touch of elegance to its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive, instantly identifying the vehicle as a Volvo. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint, contrasted with a beige-leather and aluminum interior, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The interior boasted luxurious materials, including leather and optional wool fabric seats, with heavenly sculpted seats offering power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The cabin was filled with rich leather, padded materials, and finer details like the Swedish flag tag and twist-action ignition knob, showcasing Volvo's craftsmanship.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite being redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a styling that looked older due to its carryover design from the previous generation. The boxy, upright shape appealed to SUV shoppers, and the distinctive cross-shaped taillights were the most notable change. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl. The interior was a no-nonsense mix of materials designed to withstand years of use, with the Sport trim adding orange trim and cross-stitching. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims offered leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

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 model, with a supercharger added, 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 unrefined for its price range. 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, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles, but the added weight negated the speed benefits. The Polestar upgrade improved transmission, throttle, and steering response, but the XC90 lacked sporty dynamics, excelling more in comfort and quietness.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. The Forester had a 1,500-pound towing capacity and standard Trailer Stability Assist. While power was adequate for most situations, the engine struggled during highway merges and overtakes, and wind noise was noticeable at high speeds. The suspension was softly sprung, absorbing bumps but resulting in poor body control and significant body roll in corners. The Forester's AWD system, with standard X-Mode and Dual X-Mode on Sport models, offered better handling on different surfaces. The vehicle had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on mud and dirt, but it was not as off-road capable as the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized faster and responded more quickly than previous models, which was crucial since all climate controls were within the touchscreen. The system was well-organized, but some safety features were buried in menus. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on 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 good.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. The roofline also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling, though it let in a lot of sunlight. Cargo space was 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats down, more than a Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson but less than a Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue. The Forester lacked a sliding second-row bench but offered a power liftgate on Sport, Limited, and Touring trims. The cupholders were decently sized, and the center console was reasonably spacious, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available. A power-adjustable driver's seat was standard only on the Premium trim and above.

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 made navigation easier, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could show the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options. Volvo needed to improve the digital screen and show individual tire pressures in the TPMS sensors.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, but the screen was slow to boot up. Subaru also included a secondary screen in the center of the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure. The setup was overly complex, with redundant information on both screens.

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, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system for the front seats.

The 2021 Subaru Forester earned the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Subaru also offered a driver-monitoring system, DriverFocus, to check for signs of distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.