2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored crossover design with short front and rear overhangs, and a distinctive upright grille adorned with Volvo’s iron mark logo. The front headlights boasted an LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor’s hammer, adding a unique Swedish touch. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were meticulously executed, and the large alloy wheels, up to 21 inches on top trims, were both fashionable and attractive. Inside, the XC60’s cabin was defined by clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was user-friendly, and the attention to detail, such as the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, with circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could take on different looks, with options for painted or exposed fenders, soft tops, or hardtops. The Wrangler’s interior was functional, with upright seating, limited legroom, and seats adjusted using ripcords. The Wrangler Sport was the most basic trim, with manual door locks, black plastic fenders, and a 5-inch audio display. The Sport S added power windows and locks, while the Sahara offered dual-zone climate control and a 7-inch touchscreen. The Rubicon was designed for off-roading, with beefed-up suspension and running gear, and the Rubicon 392 featured a powerful Hemi V8 engine and a raised hood with “392” badging.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, also AWD, added an 87-hp electric motor, bringing the combined output to 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased the combined output to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60 T8 models were plug-in hybrids (PHEV), capable of driving up to 19 miles on electric power alone. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, with EPA fuel economy figures 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 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of powertrains, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the 3.6-liter V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler’s 4WD systems included Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for off-roading. The Rubicon 392, with a 6.4-liter V8 engine, produced 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes.

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 heated driver and front-passenger seats warmed quickly, and the rear glass heater and windshield defroster effectively managed ice and snow buildup. The cabin featured smart storage solutions in the center console, dashboard, and door panels, with additional storage in the second row. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Each XC60 model was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered multiple top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color, with optional insulated panels. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, was a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler’s cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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 hands-free and streaming audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial period. The Volvo On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality, such as maintenance reminders and remote locking. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system on the test XC60 was exceptional.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the Sport S and higher trims offered a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available, featuring crisp graphics and easy-to-read layouts. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 benefited from Volvo’s heritage of safety innovations, including the invention of the three-point safety belt. The XC60 received 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 driving system, Pilot Assist, was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60’s top speed was restricted to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, such as forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.