2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford-imposed limitations and emerge as a near-luxury brand with a focus on safety and innovation. The XC60, positioned between the XC40 and XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, sharing its elegant, tailored design with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 featured a distinctive upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights, embodying a quintessentially Swedish aesthetic. The interior was equally impressive, with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere, highlighted by a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and meticulously designed HVAC vents.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, captured a modern retro feel reminiscent of Land Rover designs. Its short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and tucked-in body sides were tailored for trail driving. The Bronco Sport’s exterior featured bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with a unique HVAC vent design, multiple storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and various trim options, from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, added to its appeal.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth, secure driving experience, with EPA fuel economy ranging from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims came with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims were equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD, with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, though the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60’s interior featured smart storage solutions in the center console, dashboard, and door panels, with additional storage in the second row. The cargo space offered 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold included a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find outward visibility challenging.

The 2021 Volvo XC60’s infotainment system, Sensus, featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The portrait-oriented screen was divided into function quadrants, making it intuitive for frequent iPad users. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen connected to SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system had six speakers, with a Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The terrain management system’s G.O.A.T. modes adjusted settings for various conditions, and trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Higher trims included features like a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo’s commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60’s top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, which included pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes. Trailer sway control was available with the tow package.