2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, benefited greatly from its acquisition by Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to shed its Ford shackles and innovate with new platforms and engineering. The XC60, built on the SPA platform, showcased an elegant, tailored design with short overhangs and crisp details. The upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60 featured a serene, Scandinavian-inspired cabin with clean lines, authentic materials, and a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, the first vehicle of Hyundai’s new EV sub-brand, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines. Its Parametric Pixel design, reminiscent of 8-bit graphics, was used extensively in the lighting elements. The Ioniq 5’s aerodynamic wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its futuristic look. Inside, the Ioniq 5’s cabin was designed with a “Living Space” theme, offering a mellow and comfortable environment. The interior featured sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials, and a “Relaxation” mode for the driver’s seat, providing a zero-gravity resting position.

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 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 a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further increased the output to 415 hp. The XC60 provided a smooth and quiet ride, with EPA fuel economy figures ranging from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims and two drive configurations. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor, producing 168 hp and offering 220 miles of range. The extended-range models, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a larger 168-kW rear motor, delivering 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD variants featured a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 offered four drive modes, including Sport mode, which added excitement but reduced range. The vehicle also featured paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels.

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 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The vehicle also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. The Ioniq 5 provided 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, with 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space. The interior featured a moveable center console, a modern take on the retro front bench seat, and comfortable leatherette seats. The “Living Space” theme was evident in the soft touch points and useable spaces throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system offered smartphone integration with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality. However, the Sensus system had a learning curve and could be distracting while driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. The Ioniq 5 could support charging infrastructures up to 800 volts and offered ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes. The vehicle also featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, a digital key, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for better visibility.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA. The XC60 came with a host of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo’s semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was also available, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The vehicle was expected to earn high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.