2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

Volvo, a Swedish car brand, had not been purely Swedish for a long time. After being purchased by Ford in 1999 and later sold to Geely Holding Group in 2010, Volvo experienced a rebirth. Freed from Ford's constraints, Volvo emerged with a near-luxury lineup of cars and crossover SUVs, known for their safety and innovation. The 2021 XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and mid-size XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored design with short overhangs, an upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights. The interior boasted clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura, with a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and elegant HVAC vents.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, a redesigned grille, and a fresh rear liftgate. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda’s premium brand aspirations. Inside, the Signature trim offered luxurious Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The 2022 model introduced new seats, improving comfort and driving position. The CX-5 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo trims offered different performance levels, with the Turbo providing more power. The test vehicle, a 2.5 Turbo, included optional features like Soul Red paint, a navigation system, and roof rails, totaling $39,445.

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, achieving 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant offered 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60 provided a smooth, quiet ride, with EPA fuel economy ranging from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV and 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with a revised six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg combined. The 2.5 Turbo, running on premium gas, delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The Turbo also featured the revised transmission and AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined. The CX-5’s driving dynamics improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, offering a quieter, smoother, and sportier ride. The Mi-Drive system provided Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort and functionality. The front seats offered excellent adjustability, and the heating system performed well in sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60 provided smart storage solutions throughout the cabin, with intuitive controls for passengers. Cargo space measured 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and front seats. The new seats offered better support and a sportier driving position. The test vehicle included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug but featured heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout, while initially frustrating, became manageable with time. Storage space was adequate, with small bins and wireless smartphone charging. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC60’s Sensus infotainment system featured a tablet-style touchpad interface, with familiar swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. The portrait-oriented screen displayed function quadrants, making it intuitive once users acclimated. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The On Call app provided vehicle-specific functionality. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system offered exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, operated via center console and steering wheel controls. The system lacked touch-sensing and natural voice recognition, requiring smartphone integration for intuitive assistance. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system integrated adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60’s top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured the i-Activsense package, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The CX-5 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.