2021 Nissan Murano vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a near-luxury collection of cars and crossover SUVs. Built on Volvo’s SPA platform, the XC60 shared its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its elegant, tailored design featured short front and rear overhangs, an upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The interior boasted clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura, with a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and elegant HVAC vents.

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a cutting-edge design, had become more mainstream with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its conservative interior and dash design focused on comfort and ease of use, with all controls intuitively placed. The Murano offered trims from S to Platinum, each adding more features, from 18-inch alloy wheels and dual-zone climate control in the base S to a dual-panel panoramic moonroof and premium leather in the Platinum trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured 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, producing 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the T8 Polestar Engineered variant reaching 415 hp. The XC60 offered a smooth, quiet ride, with EPA fuel economy ranging from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe combined for the T8 in electric-only mode.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with a single engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and available in FWD or AWD. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, though the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano excelled in comfort, offering a refined ride that handled corners well and absorbed road bumps. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds, lower than many midsize and compact SUVs.

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 interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The XC60 could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. While not the largest in its class, the Murano compensated with ease of use, featuring a traditional shifter design and a center console with ample storage. The Murano prioritized passenger comfort, providing generous headroom and legroom in both rows, with partially reclining second-row seats.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's Sensus infotainment system featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with a portrait orientation, divided into function quadrants. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was a standout feature. However, the system had a learning curve and could be distracting while driving.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a sensible menu layout and hard buttons for ease of use. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with available upgrades like an 11-speaker Bose stereo system and navigation.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Nissan Murano included standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 features, such as reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional features like a surround-view monitor and adaptive cruise control were available.