2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern flair. The XC90 retained its recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing, it presented a more refined appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a standout feature, adding a distinctive touch to the vehicle's overall design. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged interior. The use of matte-finish wood trim and the option for wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin.

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a redesign, presenting a more planted and sculpted appearance compared to its predecessor. Positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, the Envision offered a premium crossover styling that was more refined than the Cadillac XT4 but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision's three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—each provided distinct looks, with the Avenir trim introducing upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels. Inside, the Avenir featured leather-appointed seating with diamond perforated inserts and a head-up display. The Envision's cabin design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls, angled towards the driver. While stylish, the use of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust, detracting from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard AWD. Despite the impressive 400 hp, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, though the base FWD T5 was limited to 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the previous model's 252 hp and 295 lb-ft. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the Envision's power loss was noticeable. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Envision's fuel efficiency improved, with the FWD model achieving 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision's drivability was comfortable but lacked the sporty dynamics of some competitors. The turbo engine was noisy during acceleration and deceleration, detracting from the premium feel. The Envision's drive mode selector included a Sport mode, but the noise and fuel economy trade-off were not ideal.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom being average for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. An optional power moonroof and the XC90's upright roof profile contributed to a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both rows down. A hands-free power tailgate was standard.

The 2021 Buick Envision, despite a longer wheelbase, offered less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row compared to its predecessor. Rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. Cargo capacity decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded. The Envision's rear cargo space was adequate for daily use, with grocery bag holders and carve-outs for additional space. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls. Small-item storage was typical for the segment. The Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was challenging due to the hood's slope, requiring reliance on parking sensors.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text and typeface could be difficult to read while driving. A wireless charging pad was added for 2021, but it was too small for most phones. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech was straightforward, with a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen. The driver could access station and song information faster on the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, driver massage, HD Radio, a surround-view camera, and wireless charging.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured standard safety equipment such as Buckle to Drive, following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, park assist, lane change alert, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced park assist were available on Avenir models.