2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling with its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning well with the rest of the Volvo lineup through features like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, along with a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these differences, the Recharge maintained a low profile, appealing to those who preferred a subtle electric vehicle.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover evolved from its rugged origins to a symbol of luxury, with pricing starting at $92,000 and reaching upwards of $250,000 with various upgrades. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured standard paint, wheels, and leather, with options like a wood-and-leather steering wheel and heated and ventilated seats. Its timeless design, with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling, drew from its storied past. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, though its InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was less intuitive than newer models.

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 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, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. 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 XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and the Recharge could tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard 4WD with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control ensured off-road capability. The Range Rover provided a commanding driving experience with smooth power delivery and a quiet cabin. Its adaptive air suspension offered a classic wafting ride, though its steering was slow and the suspension struggled with the vehicle's weight and center of gravity. The EPA rated the Range Rover at 20 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge offered no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin and large door bins, compensated for the lack of space. The center console featured a phone holder, and a wireless charging pad was optional. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers struggled with entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered luxury features like quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated center-console bin. The cargo area provided 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, with a suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. Recharge models lacked a start button, relying on a key fob for operation.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, was manageable for those familiar with smartphones and tablets. The system's dual 10-inch touchscreens posed a distraction while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for digital owner’s manual access.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though these ratings did not apply to the electric Recharge. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, with optional features like traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional packages for additional driver aids. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond. Overall, the safety features were effective and accurate, though the Driver Assist Pack was not assessed.