2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of the Swedish brand now under Chinese ownership by Geely Holding Group, showcased a refined and elegant design. Built on Volvo’s SPA platform, the XC60 featured a tailored two-box design with short overhangs and crisp body details. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo’s iron mark logo, complemented by Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. Inside, the XC60 boasted a serene, Scandinavian-inspired cabin with clean lines, authentic materials, and a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen. The attention to detail, such as the elegant HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued its modern and sporty design, especially after its 2020 facelift. Available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, the RX featured aggressive styling with razor-sharp character lines and angular features. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented elements like 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and a unique front fascia. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, soft-touch surfaces, and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt dated, and the F Sport seats lacked comfort, making it challenging to find an ideal driving position.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring 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 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 variant further increased the power to 415 hp. The XC60 provided a smooth and quiet ride, with excellent handling and a solid feel on the road. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with a V6 engine that sounded more like a turbocharged four-cylinder. The RX offered various drive modes, but the differences between Normal, Sport, and Sport+ were minimal. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel economy for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and an effective heating system for cold weather. 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 interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row version, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a dedicated smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holders. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height made cargo access challenging.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system, Sensus, featured a tablet-style touchpad interface with a portrait orientation. It offered smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreen's positioning created access issues, and the touchpad was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App added personalization options like remote engine start and vehicle settings.

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

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS but missed the "plus" designation due to its headlights. It received four stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.