2022 Porsche Macan vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform. This platform was shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles, contributing to a cohesive design language across the lineup. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored crossover design with short front and rear overhangs, and crisp details that emphasized an agile form. The upright grille proudly displayed Volvo’s iron mark logo, and the front headlights included an LED daytime running light in the shape of Thor’s hammer, adding a distinct Swedish touch. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were beautifully executed, and the large alloy wheels, up to 21 inches on top trims, were both fashionable and attractive. Inside, the XC60’s cabin was defined by clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene aura, embodying Scandinavian style. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail in elements like the HVAC vents elevated the interior to near-luxury status.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced for the 2015 model year, maintained its original design ethos while receiving regular updates. The 2022 model featured a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. The Macan S test vehicle, priced at $87,670 with options, looked striking in Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels. The Macan’s design conveyed a taut, athletic look with its sloping clamshell hood, swollen haunches, and rakish roofline. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, with an ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, a large tachometer centered within the gauge cluster, and a flat, wide dashboard. The red leather, gloss black interior trim, and silver metallic accents added to the upscale, sporty, and purposeful appearance of the cabin.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids (PHEV), 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 pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60 T8 PHEV could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone and offered a combined fuel economy of 27 mpg, with 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid and secure driving experience, with a smooth suspension and a quiet cabin, making it an excellent road-trip car.

The 2022 Porsche Macan lineup included the base model with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the old Macan Turbo, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Macan S, our test vehicle, featured a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 with 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans had a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The 2022 Macan S also came with larger 20-inch standard wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S offered a thrilling driving experience with responsive steering, unyielding grip, and fantastic brake performance, though it required a firm brake pedal push to initiate a stop. The as-tested fuel economy was 18.1 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed to provide comfort, style, and safety. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for cold weather. The heating system, rear glass heater, windshield defroster, washer, and wipers performed exceptionally well in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin featured smart storage solutions in the center console, dashboard, and door panels, with additional 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 Porsche Macan, despite its sporty nature, provided comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger. The test vehicle had 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, though the optional Adaptive Sports Seats Plus were recommended for spirited driving. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy, and the seats were comfortable. The new steering wheel, modeled after the 911, felt thin and uncomfortable after extended use. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls looked advanced but required the driver to look away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system used swipe, pinch, and pull gestures, similar to an iPad, and segmented the screen into function quadrants for easy navigation. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial. The Volvo On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test vehicle was exceptional.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. The standard 10-speaker sound system could be upgraded to a Bose or Burmester audio system. The PCM system featured touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, making it intuitive for smartphone users. However, the voice recognition system was less reliable than those in competitors. The Macan had separate controls for stereo volume, tuning, and climate control, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 benefited from Volvo’s long-standing commitment to safety. It received 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 safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional, with blind-spot monitoring included in the test vehicle’s Premium Package. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies found in other vehicles. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.