2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured a traditional SUV design that was more upright and boxy compared to many other small luxury crossovers. It distinguished itself with a tall flat roof, an upright rear hatch, and familial design elements such as the "Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a sleek oval grille. For those opting for gasoline models, a white contrasting roof offered a touch of retro flair.

The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, stood apart with a blanked-off grille, subtle "Recharge" badging, and distinctive alloy wheels (19 inches standard, with an option for 20 inches). Unique aesthetics for the Recharge included a gloss black roof, mirror caps, a modified rear bumper (lacking exhaust tips), and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The slight design variations were tailored for drivers seeking a modest electric vehicle appearance.

The underpinnings of the XC40’s design lay in Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, shared with the Polestar 2 electric car, designed to handle both gasoline and electric powertrains efficiently. Inside, the XC40 prioritized minimalism with an upscale touch, offering real metal trim on the dashboard and a blend of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive and premium, a rarity in its segment where manufacturers often reduce interior quality to hit price points. Volvo's interior combined elegantly oriented touchscreens with seamless airflow vents, all tied together in a pleasing design.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac XT5 aimed to reclaim Cadillac’s reputation for refinement. Updated heavily in 2020, the XT5 sported a snub-nosed appearance with differentiated trim levels, all backed by 20-inch wheels as standard. The combination of LED lights at both the front and rear added to its sophisticated yet muscular aesthetic.

Inside, the XT5 provided hints of luxury with an upscale interior that was notably more refined than its sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. Premium materials like cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents delivered a level of sophistication expected from Cadillac, rivaled only by the Escalade in this elevated elegance.

The XT5’s interior featured sweeping horizontal designs and straightforward material applications, yielding a clean and thought-out cabin environment. The Premium Luxury trim specifically highlighted these aspects, reinforcing Cadillac’s goal to blend contemporary chic with functional design.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 came with a diverse powertrain lineup. Gasoline models featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 variant produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 variant ramped these figures up to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft.

The XC40 Recharge topped the range with its dual electric motors delivering AWD capability and an impressive combined output of 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. Its 78-kilowatt-hour battery, of which 75 kWh was usable, promised solid performance with a zero to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. Gasoline counterparts clocked in at 6.1 seconds for the T5 and 8.1 seconds for the T4, all topped to a 112 mph max, courtesy of Volvo's speed limit policy.

Performance reviews emphasized the XC40 Recharge’s luxury-oriented ride quality, embodying comfort over sheer speed. Its one-pedal driving system utilized regenerative braking effectively, while an optional normal braking mode provided traditional deceleration. Despite its regular luxury performance positioning, the XC40 Recharge offered a rare towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

Turning towards the 2021 Cadillac XT5, it provided buyers with multiple trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. Base models and Premium Luxury trims were equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. An upgrade to a 3.6-liter V6 was available, hiking power to 310 hp with 237 lb-ft of torque, standard in the Sport trim.

Both XT5 engine options were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Test drives highlighted smooth upshifts but occasional clunkiness during downshifts, notably when Sport mode was activated, increasing shift jitteriness.

Fuel efficiency was a mixed bag. The AWD XT5 achieved an approximate 25 mpg over extensive testing, surpassing the EPA-estimated combined 21 mpg for the V6. However, FWD versions with the base engine were rated at 23 mpg combined, slightly below XT5’s mentioned competitors like the Infiniti QX50 (25 mpg) and Acura RDX (23 mpg).

Both the XC40 and XT5 delivered unique ride experiences, with the XC40 favoring a quieter, comfort-oriented luxury ride, whereas the XT5's performance was somewhat dulled by less effective low-end torque.

Interior space comparison revealed the 2021 Volvo XC40 as somewhat compact. Despite Volvo's claim of equal passenger and cargo space across all variants, the XC40 Recharge fell short in interior legroom both front and rear compared to rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Its headroom and significantly smaller cargo area, paired with a miniature frunk due to powertrain components, limited practicality. However, clever storage solutions like a removable trash bin in the center console, a glovebox bag hook, and expansive door bins improved usability.

The Cadillac XT5 offered more balanced interior space, suitable for four adults comfortably, although a fifth could fit in a pinch. Rear headroom was slightly compromised for taller passengers, but legroom across both rows was adequate. Front seat comfort, notably the hard bottom cushion, left room for improvement over long trips. Standard heated front seats and automatic activation of heated or ventilated seats depending on climate aided in comfort.

For cargo, the XT5 presented a usable 30 cubic feet of rear space, although slightly less than rivals like the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus. Narrowed by wheel bump-outs, its cargo area was deep but constrained in width. The available cargo-management system and hands-free programmable height liftgate added utility.

In contrast, the Volvo XC40 compared favorably to segment competitors like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in gasoline variants, although it was less utilitarian overall.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge integrated the Android Automotive OS, offering distinct Google services such as Google Assistant and Google Maps, alongside standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. A 9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided top-notch graphics. OTA update capability was a pioneering addition, offering remote updates for vehicle functions.

Recharge models showcased keyless entry with no traditional start button requirement. Future updates included the possibility of a Digital Key feature, allowing smartphone integration.

Cadillac’s 2021 XT5 simplified its infotainment experience with sleek piano black plastic housing hidden-button climate controls providing haptic feedback. The system included tri-zone climate control, a basic yet functional 8-inch touchscreen, a rotary controller, and an available 14-speaker Bose system. Standard features spanned Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, one-touch phone pairing, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports.

Cadillac’s console dials drew some critique for cluttering screen aesthetics. The XT5 also supported a rear camera mirror and HUD, enhancing driving information visibility. However, the tech integration often required phones to be out of sight within charging pockets.

Safety ratings in 2021 positioned the gasoline Volvo XC40 at the forefront with IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall NHTSA rating. Standard safety features encompassed lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking amongst others. The XC40 Recharge anticipated strong safety performance via a reinforced structure and a sophisticated sensor suite for future expansions.

Cadillac’s 2021 XT5 incorporated front automatic emergency braking, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert among its key safety features, although not all were standard across trims. The Night Vision technology enhanced nocturnal driving safety, allowing early detection of large obstacles. GM’s Teen Driver software allowed parental control over vehicle functionalities, enhancing safety supervision.