2021 INFINITI QX50 vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a showcase of Swedish automotive design reborn under the stewardship of Geely Holding Group. Over the years, Volvo had transitioned from sharing platforms and engineering with Ford after 1999, to becoming a near-luxury brand under Geely’s wings since 2010. This revival allowed Volvo to craft cars with fresh platforms and innovative goals.

Positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger mid-size XC90, the XC60 sat on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, shared with the other 60-series and 90-series models. The XC60 exhibited an elegant, two-box design with short front and rear overhangs, defining a refined and agile form. The body’s streamlined sides and crisp details further emphasized its dynamic stance. At the front, the upright grille bore Volvo’s iconic iron mark logo, flanked by headlights featuring the distinct LED “Thor’s hammer” accents.

The exterior boasted superb paint quality, chrome trimming, and stylish alloy wheels that could measure up to 21 inches. Inside, the cabin’s Scandinavian influence was unmistakable, blending clean lines with authentic materials, creating a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, which had initially drawn mixed reactions in 2018, was seamlessly integrated and user-friendly in 2021.

Attention to detail elevated the XC60’s interior, with elements like the elegantly designed HVAC vents and a harmoniously textured and colored cabin that made the driving experience exceptionally pleasant.

In contrast, the 2021 INFINITI QX50 aimed to set itself apart in the crowded luxury compact crossover segment with a distinctive design and innovative engineering. The first noticeable feature was its large honeycomb grille, complemented by a curved hood with athletic bulges, imparting a sporty look. This sporty impression continued from the driver's perspective, with a low-slung hood and prominent fenders enhancing the sense of driving a sports car.

The QX50’s rear-end design included a unique crooked chrome strip resembling a lightning bolt, adding character and aligning with INFINITI’s design language. A panoramic moonroof stretched from the front row to the cargo area, brightening the cabin and offering spectacular sky views.

Despite some visibility issues due to thick B-pillars and a short rear window, the QX50’s exterior was well-received. The Sensory AWD variant featured attractive 20-inch silver-painted alloy wheels and run-flat tires that enhanced its visual appeal.

Inside, the QX50’s cabin featured high-quality soft-touch materials, aluminum accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats were both heated and cooled, providing comfort in varying weather conditions. The interior controls were user-friendly, with traditional knobs and buttons for the radio and climate settings, which many users appreciated over more modern, buttonless designs.

Overall, the QX50’s interior design was aimed at blending practicality with premium touches to create an inviting and functional space.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a choice of three distinctive powertrains, each mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model came with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model, only available with AWD, combined a supercharger with the turbocharger to generate 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, as plug-in hybrids (PHEV), added an 87-hp electric motor, bringing the total output to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed this further to 415 hp.

Tested in its T8 Polestar Engineered form, the XC60 demonstrated a robust performance, with the ability to travel up to 19 miles on electric power alone. This variant managed smartly when to use electric or gasoline power, delivering a mix of efficiency and vigorous performance. The XC60 felt solid and secure, easily maneuvering around corners thanks to its AWD system and torque vectoring. On top of that, it offered a serene and quiet cabin, making it an excellent choice for long road trips.

EPA ratings for the XC60 varied, with the T5 FWD achieving 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T8 PHEV managing 27 mpg combined with 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was recommended for all models.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with a singular powertrain across its lineup: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The centerpiece of the QX50’s engineering was its VC-Turbo engine, which adjusted the compression ratio to balance power and efficiency, providing a unique mix of performance characteristics.

Despite its innovative engine, the QX50’s performance specs weren’t particularly exciting. However, the engine operation was smooth and quiet, aided by the CVT, which had simulated shift points for a more familiar driving experience. This setup might not appeal to purists but had the desired effect of eliminating the typical drone associated with CVTs.

Front-wheel drive was standard, while AWD was available as an option. During testing, the AWD system proved beneficial on a long, rainy interstate drive, ensuring the QX50 remained composed. The drive mode selector offered four modes—Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal—each adjusting engine, transmission, and steering characteristics. Sport mode provided brisk acceleration and increased steering effort, while Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency at the expense of acceleration.

The XC60 was designed with an emphasis on safety, comfort, and functionality. The front seats offered extensive adjustability and warmth, ideal for harsh winter conditions, while the heated rear glass and windshield prevented ice buildup effectively. Inside, practical storage solutions were integrated into the center console, dashboard, and door panels. The second row included secure storage options and intuitive, glove-friendly controls dotted around the cabin.

Cargo space in the XC60 was substantial, with 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 also boasted a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, making it versatile beyond just passenger transportation.

The QX50, classified as a compact vehicle, offered surprising interior spaciousness. With ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, it accommodated passengers comfortably, regardless of whether the panoramic moonroof was in place. Rear-seat legroom was especially generous, measuring 38.7 inches, sufficient for even tall passengers.

The QX50’s cargo area was equally impressive, providing 31.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, and 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Without the moonroof, these figures slightly increased. The optional Cargo package added practical features like a reversible cargo area protector, blocks, and nets, making it easier to organize and transport diverse items.

Both vehicles catered to passenger and cargo needs efficiently, but the QX50 had an edge in cargo capacity, especially when considering space with seats folded down and minor variations with the moonroof.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system was a hallmark of the brand, resembling a tablet with its portrait-oriented touchscreen. It used familiar swipe, pinch, and pull gestures, and divided the screen into functional quadrants for ease of access. The system was intuitive for those accustomed to tablets but required a learning curve for new users. Key features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo On Call app that provided remote vehicle functions.

The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test model stood out, delivering exceptional sound quality and aesthetics.

INFINITI’s InTouch infotainment system came with dual display screens—an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower unit. It featured voice recognition, smartphone integration, and INFINITI InTouch Services for connected navigation, entertainment, and safety. Pairing smartphones was seamless, and Apple CarPlay integration was glitch-free.

The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system provided rich sound quality. ProPilot Assist was a notable safety feature, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering to reduce driver effort on long trips.

Volvo’s commitment to safety was evident in the XC60, which earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for its T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, collision mitigation, driver alert control, lane-keeping assistance, and a comprehensive airbag system.

The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system integrated adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technologies, enhancing driver safety and comfort, while the vehicle’s top speed was restricted to 112 mph for added security.

The QX50 excelled in standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Easy-fill tire alert and additional features on higher trims like lane-departure prevention and traffic sign recognition added to its safety suite.

The IIHS rated the QX50 highly for crash protection, and while the NHTSA didn’t conduct a full crash test, its structurally similar predecessor scored top marks in crash protection.