2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and attractive dash design, seamlessly integrating tech features into the overall aesthetic. Every button and dial was easy to find, making the interior user-friendly.

Trim levels for the 2021 Tucson included SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, and more luxurious interior options.

Volvo's 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and a sleek profile, with a body that seemed poised to launch forward. The roofline was long and sleek, containing the large greenhouse without appearing bulky. Pronounced wheel arches emphasized its athleticism, and the snub nose recalled the upright grille of classic Volvo wagons. Superior fit and finish conveyed quality, and the LED "Thor's Hammer" headlights added a nod to its Swedish heritage.

Inside, the XC90's interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim. Exquisite details like the sliding wood tambor cover on the center console and the clear crystal gear selector handle highlighted its luxury status. Volvo offered both Nappa leather and a tailored wool blend upholstery, with the latter being a sustainable option.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson offered a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. The base 2.0-liter engine allowed for a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine increased this to 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options. The T5 model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model had a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 model combined a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque.

T5 models were available with FWD or AWD, while T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 model offered an impressive 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant provided a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and controlled performance, making it fun to drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. Higher trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

Despite its compact layout, the Tucson offered solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats even on long trips. The rear seats were accommodating enough for adults on road trips. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage, making it practical for daily use.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with options for captain's chairs or three-across seating in the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The XC90 could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage space, including door pockets, seat back pockets, console storage, and a large glove compartment. The cabin was airy and spacious, enhanced by a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

Volvo's Sensus infotainment system in the 2022 XC90 featured a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen with tablet-like functionality. While intuitive for tech-savvy users, the system could be glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay worked better, and the system also supported Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy customization and crisp graphics.

The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade for audiophiles. The SUV featured two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.