2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels, along with a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these differences, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to electric-car drivers who preferred not to stand out. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. This design made it unmistakable on the road. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could adopt different looks, with options for painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized function over comfort, with an upright seating position, limited legroom, and seats adjusted by ripcords. The Wrangler Sport was basic, with manual door locks and a 5-inch audio display, while the Sport S added power windows and locks, air conditioning, and optional packages. The Sahara trim offered more street-oriented features, and the Rubicon was tailored for off-road enthusiasts, featuring beefed-up suspension and running gear. The Rubicon 392 stood out with a Hemi V8 engine, raised hood, and a large hood scoop, making it a powerful off-road performer.

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, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 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. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's powertrain lineup included gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler offered three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The Rubicon 392, with a 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse. It featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes. The dual-mode performance exhaust added to its appeal, providing a thrilling auditory experience.

Volvo claimed no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline XC40 models, but the XC40 Recharge was not particularly spacious. It offered less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and its cargo area was smaller. The Recharge's frunk was also limited in size. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated for the lack of space with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom top, a three-piece hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that provided a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, wheel-wells and roll-bars could make it challenging to fit larger items.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Recharge models also had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The Recharge lacked a start button, requiring only a key fob to shift out of park.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the Sport S and higher trims offered a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille. This camera provided a clear view of the trail ahead and had its own washer-sprayer.

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 electric XC40 Recharge had not been rated, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to its safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was standard. The Wrangler also had a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. However, it lacked lane-departure warning and other advanced safety features.