2021 Volvo XC40 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 added a blacked-out, honeycomb grille, 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, enhancing its distinctive look. 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 quality.

The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's craftsmanship, featuring rich leather on the dash and doors, padded materials for safety and quality, and finely detailed elements like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat. The seats, available in leather, wool, or carbon-fiber trim, were designed for long-distance comfort, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The cabin layout was simple yet luxurious, with a vertical touchscreen seamlessly integrated into the dash, showcasing Volvo's dedication to simplicity and quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well within the current Volvo lineup. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, featured a blanked-off grille, subtle "Recharge" badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The charging port was located where the fuel filler would normally be, making it a discreet option for electric-car drivers.

The XC40's interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials like real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Despite its smaller size compared to some competitors, the XC40 made up for it with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and extra-large door bins due to the relocated Harman Kardon speakers.

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 these numbers 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 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, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles. Despite the high power figures, the added weight of the hybrid system negated the speed advantage, and the fuel economy was only slightly better at 27 mpg combined. The XC90's handling was comfortable but not sporty, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD T5 offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor per axle for a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kWh battery pack.

The Recharge model could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, making it quicker than some competitors like the Tesla Model Y Long Range and Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium. However, it was not as fast as performance-focused models like the Model Y Performance. The XC40 Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort over speed, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving using regenerative braking and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous versions, with all climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The system was well-organized, but some safety features were buried in menus. The XC90 offered seven seats as standard, with an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on higher trims, providing generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows. The third row was tight, suitable only for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom than some competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 made up for this with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped to hold a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad. However, second-row occupants did not have phone-charging options.

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 digital instrument panel could display the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with built-in Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model also had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It lacked a start button, with the car starting automatically when the driver shifted out of park.

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 features like the boron steel roof and curtain airbags that remained inflated during rollovers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 Recharge had not been tested, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to its safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist system.