2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks with painted or exposed fenders, soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches. Despite these variations, the core elements that made a Wrangler unmistakable on the road remained intact. Inside, the Wrangler was not designed for comfort but rather for a rugged driving experience. The upright seating position, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments were seen as charming quirks by enthusiasts.

The 2022 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, showcased a sleek and modern design, moving away from the boxy shapes of its predecessors. The XC90's body appeared poised to launch forward, with a long and sleek roofline and pronounced wheel arches that emphasized its athleticism. The interior was described in terms of "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler also introduced a plug-in hybrid variant, the 4xe, with 275 hp and up to 22 miles of electric range.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. The T8 also featured an extended-range variant with up to 36 miles of electric range. The XC90 engines used Premium gasoline, with the T5 FWD models achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T8 extended range variant getting 26 mpg combined gasoline rating and 66 MPGe.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, a classic-looking tan soft top, and the Freedom top, a three-piece hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third 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, 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, comfortable seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and a clever off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was found to be glitchy and slow to respond. The XC90 also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound could be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including 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 highway driving. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.