2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

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 lineup with 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. 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 cohesive and upscale cabin environment.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover underwent an evolutionary redesign, maintaining its broad, rounded face and large expanses of unadorned sheet metal. The most notable change was at the rear, where thin LED strips replaced the old square taillights. The Range Rover emphasized its size, especially in the long-wheelbase version, which added eight inches in length. Inside, the cabin was simplified with fewer buttons and a larger tablet-like touchscreen, offering a modern look. Premium leather and rich wood trim elements adorned the interior, providing a luxurious feel. The Range Rover delivered a refined experience, surpassing competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, and Cadillac Escalade in terms of interior quality.

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 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 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 2022 Land Rover Range Rover offered two powertrains: the base P400 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The P530 featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The P400 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds, impressive for its nearly 6,000-pound weight. The Range Rover provided a calm and composed driving experience, with well-managed body roll and agile handling. It featured standard rear-wheel steering for maneuverability and maintained its off-road capability with the Terrain Response system, offering a smooth and quiet ride.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, 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 limited 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, including a removable trash bin, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins. The center console had a well-shaped storage cubby, and a wireless charging pad was optional, though second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover provided ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats were cushioned for comfort, with available massage functions. Storage options included two glove boxes, a wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin. The second row offered power recline and sliding adjustments, with climate controls and USB-C ports. The optional third row had limited headroom for adults but was suitable for smaller passengers, with USB-C ports available. Cargo space behind the third row was 17.1 cubic feet, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 93 cubic feet with the second row down. The split tailgate and air suspension height adjustment facilitated loading.

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 supported OTA updates for software-controlled functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover boasted a 13-inch touchscreen with the new Pivi Pro system, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless charging pad. The screen's placement required more touchscreen use, but basic climate controls were designed for minimal distraction. The Meridian audio system provided excellent sound quality, with an optional 35-speaker upgrade. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa integration, remote automated parking, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone app control.

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 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 system. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with a scalable sensor suite for future driver aids.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover lacked crash test results from the NHTSA and IIHS, which was typical for luxury SUVs. It came standard with features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The surround-view cameras were particularly useful for off-roading. While adequately equipped, some rivals offered additional features like advanced high beams and emergency stop functions, which might be added in future models.