2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated into the Volvo family with signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct 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 cabin environment.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, embodying the brand's luxury SUV legacy. Its design echoed the larger Range Rover's profile, scaled into a sporty package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. The Velar's exterior was both blocky and streamlined, with flush door handles and special details like taillight lenses with depth illusions. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. Despite some design missteps, like the lack of a discrete parking brake control, the Velar's interior maintained a luxurious feel, enhanced by the new Pivi Pro infotainment system.

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 boasted a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and the capability for one-pedal driving. The Recharge model also offered a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and up to 10 inches of clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, was available in two states of tune: 340 hp and 354 lb-ft for the base S and R-Dynamic models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft for the R-Dynamic HSE. This powertrain offered high performance while reducing emissions, although the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, but it was not 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 minimal frunk. However, Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and large door bins. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for extra storage space in the doors.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was tighter inside than midsize SUVs and only slightly roomier than compact SUVs. Its stylish exterior reduced headroom and visibility, with limited cargo space—16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design included a controversial parking brake control, integrated with the transmission button, which was criticized for being illogical and potentially dangerous. Despite these issues, the Velar's interior featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, which improved usability and functionality.

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 model also introduced OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The system's interface mirrored Google's smartphone and computer displays, which might not appeal to all users.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It included features like a voice assistant, PM2.5 air filter, heated windshield, and advanced navigation capabilities. The system offered a 360-degree camera view and an off-road mode for enhanced functionality. The instrument panel could display full-width maps and reconfigure gauges, although the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked U.S. crash-test ratings but scored well in the European NCAP. It offered standard driving assists like forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.