2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored design with other Volvo models, featuring short overhangs and crisp body details. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, complemented by Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail, such as the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved from its rugged origins to a symbol of luxury. Starting at $92,000, the Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, with the long-wheelbase version reaching up to $250,000. The HSE Westminster special edition, priced at $106,715, featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained timeless, with hallmark cues like blacked-out pillars and clean styling. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, though comprehensive, was not as intuitive as newer systems.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 models delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, combined an 87-hp electric motor with the gasoline engine, resulting in a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant further increased output to 415 hp. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided excellent handling, and the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode for the T8.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6 and supercharged V8 engines, as well as mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured off-road capability. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, but the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system that excelled in cold weather. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, and the controls were intuitive and glove-friendly. 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. It was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension included a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable and wrapped in quality leather, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. The Range Rover offered 25 cubic feet of luggage space, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. While it could be intuitive for frequent iPad users, there was a learning curve. The system offered smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was exceptional.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology included three digital displays for instrumentation and infotainment. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, though comprehensive, was not entirely intuitive. The Range Rover also featured a head-up display, touch-sensing steering wheel controls, and voice control commands. The waterproof Activity Key wristband and iGuide smartphone app were notable features.

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. It came with a host of standard safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.