2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Genesis GV70

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. Its design featured an elegant, tailored crossover look with short overhangs and crisp body details, emphasizing agility. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, complemented by Thor's hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, with fashionable alloy wheels up to 21 inches. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded a Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a notable feature, and the interior's little details, like the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 inherited styling elements from other Genesis models but maintained a unique appearance. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The ribbed detailing added muscle to its profile, combining SUV bulk with car-like elements for a rugged yet sleek appearance. Sport Prestige models had unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The interior had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with minimalistic design elements like a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The GV70 offered a wide array of interior color options, and the Sport Prestige model featured luxurious Nappa leather upholstery with suede seat inserts.

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. T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available in FWD or AWD. T6 models, with a turbocharger and supercharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while T8 models, as plug-in hybrids, combined an 87-hp electric motor for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased output to 415 hp. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid and secure driving experience, with a serene cabin and smooth suspension. 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 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrains: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing a sportier character. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride with 21-inch wheels. The exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant, and the steering lacked precision for spirited driving.

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 excelled in winter conditions, with effective heated seats, glass heater, and windshield defroster. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, intuitive controls, and secure 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. It was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The daring interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The Sport Prestige model featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. However, some controls were buried in touchscreen menus, and the posture assist activated unexpectedly.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a tablet-style touchpad interface. It offered a portrait orientation and segmented the screen into function quadrants for intuitive operation. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Volvo On Call app provided vehicle-specific functionality. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system delivered exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller offered pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services offered remote camera activation and other features free for three years.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's safety heritage, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping aid. 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 2022 Genesis GV70, as a new model, lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. However, it came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The GV70 also featured eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The system impressed with smooth control inputs but struggled with tight curves.