2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch, aligning well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured distinctive 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. It also sported a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a modified rear bumper, 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 upscale design.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling reflected its long market presence, retaining the same basic body shell with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce new styling changes but added silver 18-inch wheels as standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX maintained a coherent design, with a massive grille that contributed to its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior didn’t match modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim resembling molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Leather upholstery was standard, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model 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 model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0-60 mph in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. 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 Lexus GX 460 kept it simple with a single 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460 was a throwback to older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. Its 5,130-pound weight affected high-speed performance, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern SUVs. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and Crawl Control. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, but it wasn’t particularly spacious. It had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, with a tiny frunk. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and large door bins. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel was positioned awkwardly, contributing to a bus-like driving feel. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins and cupholders. The GX came standard with three rows, seating seven, but the third row was best for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, less than the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering 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. The Recharge also had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It lacked a start button, using a key fob for ignition. The gasoline models continued with the previous infotainment system.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, with two USB ports for the first two rows. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, including a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. 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. It also featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 hadn’t been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, with features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.