2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, “Recharge” badging, model-specific alloy wheels, a gloss black roof, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum greeted passengers with power-deploying running boards and a plush, roomy interior. Despite its luxurious Platinum trim, the Expedition struggled to accommodate six passengers and their luggage, highlighting the utility of minivans. The Platinum trim featured a chrome grille, 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and brightwork, giving it a bold presence. The extended-length MAX version would have resolved the cargo issue, offering ample space for passengers and luggage. The interior, while comfortable and well-equipped, included hard plastic elements, reminding occupants of its origins.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 increased to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model boasted 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, the T5 in 6.1 seconds, and the T4 in 8.1 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and RWD or 4WD. The engine produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim boosting to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. The Expedition impressed with its acceleration, even when fully loaded, and the transmission performed seamlessly. The Platinum’s 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, but the adaptive damping suspension and independent rear suspension maintained stability. The FX4 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, but the test vehicle averaged 17.1 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had the same passenger and cargo space as the gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins. The center console had a well-shaped storage cubby, and a wireless charging pad was optional. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage was plentiful. Cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and the maximum volume was 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the cargo floor’s high liftover height was a consideration.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability and lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2021 Ford Expedition used the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Despite its age, Sync 3 offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and wireless smartphone charging. An available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system provided additional entertainment options.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with Volvo expecting it to perform well in crash tests.

The 2021 Ford Expedition earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover-resistance rating for RWD and four stars for 4WD. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assistance, and a 360-degree camera system.