2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis' first SUV, was a fresh design that managed to balance innovation with the brand's emerging signature style. It featured a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh and the Genesis flying "G" badge. The SUV's design was further accentuated by the "Quad Lamp" LED headlight array and large wheel arches that housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. The rear design mirrored the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, technology-laden dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a minimalist yet luxurious layout.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, successfully modernized Volvo's conservative styling while retaining its recognizable features. It maintained a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing. The LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights added a distinctive touch. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, offering thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials like matte-finish wood and optional wool upholstery. The Inscription trim featured luxurious touches like an Orrefors crystal shifter, although some elements felt out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V6 models came standard with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional AWD. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's suspension system included an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview on the 3.5T models, enhancing ride comfort. The 2.5T models had EPA fuel economy estimates of 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway with RWD, while the 3.5T AWD was rated at 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The T5 was turbocharged, delivering 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 added supercharging for 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came with front-wheel drive, with AWD optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard AWD. Despite the T8's power, the small engine struggled with flexibility, and the XC90's acceleration relied heavily on the gasoline engine. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a 5,000-pound towing capacity for most models.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The second row was spacious for two adults, with power seats and window shades available. A third row was standard only on the 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, offering a power-fold function and a 50/50 split.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious due to a power moonroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's infotainment system featured a 14.5-inch HD screen with split-screen displays, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered cloud-connected profiles and over-the-air updates. Android users could use a digital key function, while Genesis Connected Services provided features like remote start and vehicle health reports. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims. The audio system ranged from a standard 12-speaker setup to a 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was praised for its simplicity, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were optional. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though some menu text was hard to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. It came with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of safety features like blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. Adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist were also included, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. Pilot Assist was noted for its smoothness and quick reactions, though it struggled with highway curves.