2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly fit into the Volvo lineup with familial styling cues like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, with a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive color—Sage Green Metallic. The charging port was located where the fuel filler would normally be. These minor differences made the XC40 Recharge appealing to electric-car drivers who preferred a subtle look.

Underneath, the XC40 used Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, also found in the Polestar 2 electric car. This platform was designed to accommodate both gasoline and electric powertrains. The interior was minimalist yet premium, featuring real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior quality to meet a price point.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, featuring blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an optional package for an additional $2,000 that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover. The blacked-out treatment gave the Ascent a sporty appearance.

Inside, the Ascent Onyx Edition featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery in a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching. Metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels added to the aesthetic. However, the StarTex material tended to trap sweat, making it uncomfortable on hot days. Ventilated seats were only available on the Ascent Touring trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The AWD T5 increased these figures to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor per axle for AWD, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. The Recharge 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 T5 and T4 models achieved this in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The XC40 Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The Ascent achieved an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, though testing showed an average of 20.5 mpg. The engine’s flat-four layout provided a lower center of gravity for improved handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, enhancing the driving experience. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and featured Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable in urban settings, though sudden braking could be overly responsive. On highways, the lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel unstable, but turning them off improved the driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had the same passenger and cargo space as the gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 had less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also small due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. 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. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The driver’s seat offered a comfortable and commanding position, and the Onyx Edition was equipped for winter weather with water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy due to wide rear doors. Captain’s chairs were available, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the second row. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a dashboard shelf and large door cupholders. The cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. Models with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models had OTA update capability for the infotainment system and other software-controlled functions. The XC40 Recharge lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent’s base trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system included volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons. The voice recognition technology needed improvement, as it required specific commands. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality. The Touring trim offered a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been rated, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, a driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent also received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including advanced adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight’s performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available from the Premium trim level, and reverse automatic braking was optional. The Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan included automatic collision notification and SOS emergency assistance.