2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. The 2017 model was the first to include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and for 2021, the Premier trim level was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS trim came with 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added features like heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, and upgraded seats.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, debuting as a 2016 model, successfully reshaped Volvo's image with a blend of traditional and modern design elements. It retained Volvo's boxy profile and blunt front end but added softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim featured extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, while the R-Design had a sportier look with a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary design.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and made considerable noise. The Trax had a firm ride, harsh over potholes, but provided solid maneuverability in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax, making 155 horsepower.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, producing 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T5 came standard with FWD, with AWD optional, while AWD was standard on the T6 and T8. The XC90 excelled in ride quality and old-school luxury, with an optional air-suspension system and a quiet cabin. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds for most models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering for long distances. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items. These cargo figures were mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment, with no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom about average for the segment. The third-row space was tight for adults, and seats in both the third and second rows lacked support. An optional power moonroof and standard four-zone climate control enhanced the interior's spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but no power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Volvo offered a hands-free power tailgate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. It also had two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, but the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not award it a Top Safety Pick. The Trax came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with the LT Convenience Package adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. It lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered more standard safety features than most competitors, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.