2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its refreshed interior and exterior from 2018. This refresh included the dual-screen center console, a hallmark of recent Land Rover interiors. The 2021 model offered a plug-in hybrid variant and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Trims ranged from the base SE with leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control to the high-end SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and 22-inch alloy wheels. Each trim level added more luxury and performance features, culminating in the Autobiography and SVR models, which boasted supercharged V8 engines and high-end amenities.

The 2022 Volvo XC90, a flagship SUV riding on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, showcased Volvo's evolution from its boxy past to a sleek, upscale present. The XC90's design featured a poised stance, pronounced wheel arches, and the distinctive "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" with natural wood and metal trim, a clear crystal gear selector, and optional Nappa leather or tailored wool blend upholstery. The interior was spacious and airy, enhanced by a panoramic moonroof, making it a comfortable and luxurious family vehicle.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured the P400 powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition upped the ante with 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds (except the SVR, which towed 6,613 pounds).

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains. The T5 models used a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 models featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, achieving 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 had an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range, while the extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven but reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for children but cramped for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious cabin, enhanced by a panoramic moonroof and an effective air-conditioning system.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate and vehicle settings, while the upper screen handled infotainment. The system had a learning curve and was not always intuitive, but it featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The lower screen's dials controlled various functions, and a real volume button was included, though it was somewhat hidden.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen and familiar smartphone gestures. The system was occasionally glitchy but worked better with Apple CarPlay. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display were available. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. It included multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to 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. The 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.