2022 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers in the market. Its design, characterized by a similar "daylight opening" as its competitors, did not stand out significantly. While there were some distinguishing features like the grille and chromed plastic accents, the CR-V was not typically chosen for its exterior aesthetics. The color palette offered limited vibrant options, with most colors being shades of gray, black, or white, and the more interesting hues were reserved for higher trims. Inside, the CR-V provided a modern look with angular seat designs and options for wood panels and chrome accents in higher trims, though it faced stiff competition from more distinctively styled rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates that enhanced its sporty appeal. The new front fascia with "air blades" and a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes contributed to a refreshed look. The XC60's interior maintained its clean design, featuring a new digital instrument cluster and a portrait-oriented touchscreen. While the R-Design trim added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, the overall interior ambiance was more subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, adding a touch of luxury to the cabin.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid versions. It delivered smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 60 mph in approximately 7.8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive, with no significant advantage for rivals in terms of acceleration. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided a consistent engine rev level as speed increased, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option, similar to most competitors except the Subaru Forester, which offered AWD as standard. The CR-V's unitized body structure and suspension setup ensured decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 versions. The B5 offered 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively in AWD. The B6 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, showcasing impressive power delivery and smoothness. The XC60 emphasized a calm and relaxed driving experience, with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet, reaching 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Toyota RAV4 by four cubic feet. It provided slightly more cargo space behind the second row than the RAV4, with a total cargo volume of 75.8 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free power tailgate options. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, unlike Subaru, which offered them on all but the base model.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom, tying with the Audi Q5 for the lowest in its class. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them folded, while plug-in hybrid models offered slightly less. Despite the reduced cargo capacity compared to rivals, the XC60 offered a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim featured a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while other trims boasted a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The Special Edition and EX trims had a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, upgraded to eight speakers in the EX-L. The Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer and satellite navigation. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system integrated Android-specific features like Google Assistant and Google Maps, with over-the-air software updates. While compatible with iPhones, the system's design favored Android users. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions, and the infotainment layout utilized sideways swiping for menu access.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. However, it fell short of the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in headlight evaluation and the updated side crash test. The CR-V's LATCH child safety seat anchoring system received an "Acceptable" rating. Honda's approach to safety was commendable, offering the Honda Sensing system with standard advanced safety features across all trims, except for blind spot monitoring, which was standard from the EX trim onward.

The 2022 Volvo XC60's safety ratings for the model year were not yet available, but the 2021 model received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a five-star NHTSA overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering, was available as an option.