2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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. It featured distinctive “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also sported a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and an 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 pleasing design.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, while inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models, maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that added a fastback flair. The ribbed detailing gave it a muscular profile, combining SUV bulk with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige models added character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. The interior had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector, offering a luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts.

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 model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor per axle for AWD, with a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, suggesting a sportier intent. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced throttle response and transmission behavior, but the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising, though the ride was firm with 21-inch wheels, and it lacked the solidity expected from a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, but 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 door, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port, though rear passengers lacked charging options.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space for the segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing it in the middle ground. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets, but included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were less accessible.

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. The Recharge offered OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions and lacked a start button, using a key fob for activation.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring a tile-based layout and crisp graphics. A glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality enhanced usability. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided remote camera activation and other features, free for three years.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model included a scalable sensor suite for future driver aid enhancements.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, lacking crash-test ratings due to its newness, offered standard safety features such as lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and Highway Driving Assist. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality. The system performed well on highways, though lane-centering struggled with curves.