2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding more character while retaining recognizable Volvo features. Unlike Lexus, which opted for a radical styling revamp, Volvo kept its traditional boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The XC90's softer lines, increased chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights added a modern touch. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the brand.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and unique feel. The Orrefors crystal shifter in the Inscription trim added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The XC90's design focused on simplicity and elegance, avoiding the overwhelming flashiness seen in some other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated the current Ford look with the existing Edge body shell. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner appearance compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium trim featured extra chrome, while the ST trim sported a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance upgrades and higher price tag.

However, the Edge's interior showed its age, with a design that felt less fresh than the exterior. Over the years, it had been awkwardly tweaked to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium trim included leather upholstery, while the ST trim featured sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching. Despite these updates, the interior design struggled to keep up with the evolving exterior.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), while all-wheel drive (AWD) was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the impressive 400 hp, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide the flexibility of six-cylinder or V8 engines found in competitor SUVs. The XC90 Recharge had three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The gasoline engine often had to assist even at relatively low speeds, making it challenging to maximize the all-electric mode. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Most XC90 models had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available with standard FWD or optional AWD. The Edge ST performance model boasted an EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, delivering 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel. The ST came with standard AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and model-specific suspension tuning. An option package added upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires.

The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of that benchmark. However, it offered a sporty driving experience compared to its competitors, which did not emphasize performance. The Edge's turbo-four engine in non-ST models felt sluggish, but the vehicle remained refined despite its aging platform. The Edge's towing capacities were respectable, with the base FWD four-cylinder model rated at 3,958 pounds, the AWD four-cylinder at 4,122 pounds, and the V6-powered Edge ST at 4,525 pounds. However, competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered higher towing capacities.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, depending on whether second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat was chosen. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel of the interior. Standard four-zone climate control could be upgraded with a filtration system to trap fine particulate matter.

The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Forward visibility was limited due to the tall hood, and storage space was constrained by a shallow center console storage bin and limited console storage options. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was near the bottom of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and legroom in both rows second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard. Cargo space was impressive, with 39.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trim levels.

The Edge's rotary shift knob was designed to free up space on the center console, but the narrow console width meant the available space was only average. The raised console allowed for a storage nook below, but it was difficult to reach and easy to forget about items placed there.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. Standard equipment included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available.

The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. The lack of analog backup controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well and complemented the minimalist interior design. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports could be inconvenient for drivers with newer phones.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a 12-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio (with a three-month free trial), and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. The Edge ST trim included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The Edge had four USB ports, with two rear USB ports, including one USB-C, added for 2021. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts made it easy for new users to acclimate. Not all competitors offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving the Edge an advantage in this area.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and the top “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover testing.

The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles. However, it struggled with gentle highway curves and was not meant to replace an attentive human driver.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” scoring top “Good” ratings in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle situations. It received an “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention tech, an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use, and “Acceptable” and “Poor” headlight ratings depending on trim level. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests.

The Edge included a decent amount of standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner, such as automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go and lane centering) and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base Edge SE trim level.