2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch, aligning with the rest of the Volvo lineup through features like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, along with a gloss black roof and mirror caps. It featured a unique rear bumper due to the absence of exhaust tips 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 design that stood out in its segment.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, drew inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The 2019 refresh carried over into 2021, with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims and special editions, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring an electric motor on each axle for AWD, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The T5 and T4 achieved 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, with a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine produced 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or 4WD. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option offered more refined performance. The Renegade provided a solid ride quality, with a composed suspension over rough surfaces and impressive maneuverability in tight spaces. It featured a terrain management system with various drive modes, and the Trailhawk trim, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and off-road suspension, was "Trail Rated" for off-road capability.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, though it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox, and large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, with a single USB-C port standard, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, above average for its segment. Its tall, boxy design offered ample headroom, with great front legroom and adequate rear space for adults. The Renegade featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, integrating Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models offered OTA update capability, though Volvo was vague on future plans. The system lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

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. The XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist, except for the Trailhawk trim. Adaptive cruise control and parking sensors were optional. The NHTSA awarded the Renegade four out of five stars in crash tests. Parallel parking assist was also available as an option.