2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Ford Escape

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 boxy profile and blunt front end, but introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. 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. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Escape presented a more car-like appearance, with a curved snout and sleek roofline that gave it a less truck-like look compared to some competitors. The Escape offered new appearance packages for 2021, enhancing its visual appeal with options like 19-inch alloy wheels and upgraded upholstery. However, the interior design lacked cohesion, with some odd choices and lower-quality materials. Despite this, the Escape provided ample headroom and legroom, especially with its sliding rear seat, which allowed for flexible cargo and passenger space configurations.

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 delivered 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 variant, with both turbocharging and supercharging, increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC90's powertrains provided a balance of efficiency and power, though the small engine struggled with acceleration at times. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Escape featured a range of powertrains, including a base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-liter turbo-four increased output to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft. The Escape also offered hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, both using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist for a total of 200 hp. The plug-in hybrid's larger battery allowed for significant electric-only driving. While the three-cylinder engine was adequate, the Escape's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with sloppy suspension and steering. The Escape's maximum towing capacity was 3,500 pounds with the 2.0-liter engine.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, available in six or seven-seat configurations, offered average headroom and legroom across its three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. An optional power moonroof and standard four-zone climate control enhanced the interior's spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Ford Escape, despite its car-like styling, provided competitive interior space. It boasted near-top segment headroom and legroom, with a sliding rear seat for flexible space management. Gasoline models offered 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 65.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models had slightly reduced space due to battery placement. While the Escape's cargo capacity was less than some competitors, it remained practical for most needs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a WiFi hotspot. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. The touchscreen's portrait orientation made it user-friendly, though some menu text was difficult to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was a tight fit for most phones.

The 2021 Ford Escape used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with base models getting a 4.2-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot were standard. Upgrading to the SE trim added an 8-inch touchscreen and SiriusXM radio, while the Titanium trim included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Sync 3 was user-friendly, but the Escape lacked some standard tech features found in competitors, and missed out on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid, known for its smooth operation but limited capabilities.

The 2021 Ford Escape earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features.