2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Volvo XC40 sported a traditional SUV design with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, setting it apart from many other small luxury crossovers. It featured “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, aligning it with the rest of Volvo’s lineup. Gasoline models even had the option of a contrasting white roof for a slightly retro vibe.

The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, “Recharge” badging, and specific alloy wheels (19-inch standard, 20-inch optional). It also boasted a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a slightly different rear bumper (due to no exhaust tips), and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. These subtle differences made the Recharge appealing for those who preferred not to announce their switch to electric driving.

Underneath, the XC40 rode on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, shared with the Polestar 2 electric car. This platform was designed to accommodate both gasoline and electric powertrains, avoiding the pitfalls of retrofitting an electric system into a gasoline-designed vehicle.

Inside, the XC40’s minimalist interior combined high-quality materials like real metal trim on the dashboard and a mixed upholstery of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, providing a genuine premium feel. The cabin design was coherent and integrated, from the portrait-oriented touchscreen to the air vents, a rarity in this segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained a similar look to its gasoline-only variants while adding “Hybrid” badges, blue Honda logos, and a more sophisticated design for the LED fog lights and rear bumper. It was subtle in showcasing its hybrid nature, making it a fit for those who wanted better fuel efficiency without a drastic visual change.

Inside, the CR-V Hybrid featured unique trim, instrumentation specific to hybrid power monitoring, and steering wheel paddles that managed the regenerative braking system. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims—all equipped with standard all-wheel drive—the CR-V Hybrid offered a range of options. Pricing ranged from $30,560 to $36,350, a slight premium over the gasoline model.

Our test vehicle, a Touring trim, wore Platinum White Pearl paint with ivory leather, presenting a stylish two-tone contrast. Though the interior boasted fake wood trim, it still managed to convey a sense of richness.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a versatile powertrain lineup, topped by the electric Recharge model. Gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 version produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 model offered more punch with 248 hp and 258 lb-ft.

The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. Its 78-kWh battery pack (75 kWh usable) powered the motors, divided into modules under the floor and the space where the transmission tunnel would typically be.

Volvo claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds for the Recharge, 6.1 seconds for the T5, and 8.1 seconds for the T4, with a top speed electronically limited to 112 mph.

Despite its performance credentials, the Recharge prioritized luxury, providing quiet and comfortable rides even on winter-ravaged roads with optional 20-inch wheels. Unique to the Recharge was its capability for one-pedal driving, using regenerative braking for deceleration. Remarkably, it also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when equipped properly.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor. Together, they delivered a total system output of 212 hp and 232 lb-ft of immediate torque. The CR-V Hybrid employed three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the optimal one based on driving conditions. Additionally, driver-selectable modes included Econ, Sport, and EV.

The added hybrid components increased the vehicle's weight by 194 pounds, contributing to a lower center of gravity and slightly better weight distribution. The CR-V Hybrid maintained the standard CR-V's 8.2 inches of ground clearance, ensuring that capability wasn't sacrificed for efficiency.

Performance-wise, the CR-V Hybrid was sprightly off the line and maintained ample power for most driving scenarios. However, it returned a lower-than-expected 33.7 mpg on testing, missing the EPA rating of 38 mpg in combined driving and falling short of the 39.7 mpg achieved by the RAV4 Hybrid.

Volvo claimed no difference in space between the gasoline and electric XC40 models. However, the XC40 Recharge wasn’t spacious, offering less legroom and headroom compared to the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E and featuring a smaller cargo area. Its frunk was also minimal, occupied largely by powertrain hardware.

The gasoline XC40 fared better in comparisons with vehicles like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, though the bar for utility in this segment was low.

Volvo’s interior space shortcomings were somewhat offset by clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, extra-large door bins due to repositioned speakers, and a well-shaped storage cubby ahead of the shifter. The optional wireless charging pad and a single USB-C port were nice touches, though second-row passengers lacked phone-charging options.

In comparison, the CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. Front seats were supportive and comfortable for long drives, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and standard heated front seats. The rear seat room was exceptional, offering ample legroom and comfort akin to the Honda Accord sedan. Rear occupants enjoyed air conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, and a flat floor for added convenience.

Though the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger monopolized some center console space, overall interior storage was impressive. Cargo-wise, the CR-V Hybrid held 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, down from the standard CR-V Touring’s 37.6 cubic feet due to the battery pack. Even so, it accommodated four full-sized suitcases beneath the cargo cover. Maximum cargo space measured 68.7 cubic feet, 7.1 cubic feet less than the gasoline model but still significant.

Compared to the XC40 Recharge’s constrained cargo area, the CR-V Hybrid’s 33.2 to 68.7 cubic feet offered far greater utility for everyday and travel needs.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system from the Polestar 2, incorporating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. This setup allowed Android users to sync their accounts for personalized use, although it still supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Standard hardware included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, noted for their high-quality graphics and intuitive layout.

One unique element was the absence of a start button; drivers only needed to carry the key fob to shift out of park. The XC40 Recharge also touted OTA updates, capable of enhancing any vehicle function controlled by software.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s infotainment system, last redesigned in 2017, felt outdated despite a modern-looking surface with a power/volume knob and a 7-inch touchscreen. The lack of a tuning knob hindered usability, though steering wheel controls partially mitigated this.

The system was slow to start, and its voice-recognition struggles meant drivers had to rely on wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for better interaction. The cramped navigation map display and mediocre HondaLink services were additional drawbacks.

However, the CR-V Hybrid’s dual quick-charging ports for the rear seat and the Touring grade's nine-speaker premium audio system were bright spots. Despite its limitations, the system supported text messaging, SiriusXM, and Pandora integration.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 earned the highest IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Though the XC40 Recharge hadn’t been tested, Volvo anticipated strong performance due to a battery safety cage and a redesigned front crash structure.

Standard safety features for the XC40 included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features comprised traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, a driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system for adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering.

The Recharge model added Volvo’s latest sensor suite, including a radar unit in the logo and the ability for future expansion via OTA updates.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was included.

The CR-V Hybrid’s systems worked reliably, though they were less sophisticated compared to rivals. The model lacked automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, or teen driver settings.

It garnered a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, verifying its strong safety credentials.