2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Volvo XC90 broke away from Volvo’s traditionally conservative styling with its redesign debut in 2016. It retained many of the brand's hallmarks, such as a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines and more chrome detailing. The LED headlights featuring “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights were a distinctive addition, blending nicely with the rest of the design.

The XC90’s trim levels offered varied aesthetic touches. The Inscription trim, with additional chrome trimmings and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest. The mid-level R-Design aimed for a sportier look and featured a new gloss-black grille surround for 2021, whereas the base Momentum was simpler, leaning on 19-inch wheels (with a new design for 2021). The vehicle's flexible architecture reflected its modern SUV status, sharing Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and smaller "60" series models.

Inside, the XC90 adhered to a theme of “Swedish minimalism” without overwhelming the senses. With matte-finish wood trim and the option for wool upholstery, the interior exuded a natural, refined look. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury. Overall, the interior design was thoughtful, restrained, and functional without compromising sophistication.

The 2021 Honda CR-V’s exterior was more about blending in than standing out. Most compact crossovers had similar styles, and the CR-V was no exception. Its design featured a familiar “daylight opening” shape with few discernible differences from its competitors. Subtle details like the grille opening and chromed plastic features offered some variation, but they were minimal.

Honda’s color offerings for the CR-V were diverse but somewhat deceptive. The palette included three shades of gray, black, white, two blues (one vibrant), and Radiant Red Metallic, with more interesting colors typically reserved for higher trims. The basic LX trim offered only three colors: black, silver, and white.

Inside, the CR-V offered black, gray, and ivory color schemes in either cloth or leather, varying by trim level. The seats featured angular designs with sharp details on the edges and headrests, contributing to a modern look. While models like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson boasted more distinctive styling in mid-tier trims, the CR-V focused on function over flair both inside and out.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available with three different powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 variant upped the ante with both a turbocharger and a supercharger, yielding 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid (also branded as Recharge) combined the T6 engine with an electric motor, achieving a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive was optional. The T6 and T8 models came with AWD as standard. Despite the impressive horsepower of the T8, the reliance on a small 2.0-liter engine meant the XC90 sometimes struggled, particularly during all-electric starts and rapid acceleration.

The XC90's ride quality was exceptional, particularly with the optional air-suspension system, providing a smooth and quiet drive even on 21-inch wheels. However, with a towing capacity peaking at 5,000 pounds for most models (4,000 pounds for the base FWD T5), it lagged behind competitors like the Lincoln Aviator, which could tow up to 6,700 pounds.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, meanwhile, wasn't designed for high-performance thrills. Equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower, it aimed for reliable and smooth acceleration. Reaching 60 mph took around 7.8 seconds, on par with other compact crossovers but not impressive by sports car standards.

All CR-V trims used a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which held engine revs steady as speed increased, offering less driving engagement compared to models with conventional transmissions, like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, or even the Toyota RAV4. The standard drivetrain was front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option, except on the base trim where AWD was standard.

Although Honda did not aim for high performance with the CR-V, it ensured reliable handling and a comfortable ride quality. The unitized body structure, MacPherson strut front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension contributed to steady and predictable performance, without standing out in any particular area.

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 were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows were somewhat hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof helped impart a spacious feel to the interior, and the standard four-zone climate control could be enhanced with a filtration system designed to trap fine particulate pollution.

Front-seat occupants enjoyed 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats with backrest massage (in the Inscription trim with the Lounge Package), although a power-adjustable steering wheel was notably absent. Despite the luxurious appointments, the XC90’s storage options were limited; the center console’s shallow storage bin and the overall console layout offered little room for personal items.

Cargo space measured 11.2 cubic feet with all seats up, 34.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded, making it one of the least spacious in its segment. The hands-free power tailgate helped mitigate some of the storage issues, though the overall storage capacity remained underwhelming compared to competitors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled at maximizing interior space for passengers and cargo. Its 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume surpassed the Toyota RAV4 by four cubic feet. The CR-V’s cargo capacity also impressed, offering 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, enough to accommodate significant amounts of luggage or gear.

Cargo access varied by trim. Lower trims required manual operation of the tailgate, while the EX-L trim added a power tailgate. The Touring trim featured a hands-free power tailgate that could be opened with a wave of the foot, though its reliability varied. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim, while all other trims required an add-on purchase for additional rooftop storage.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard connectivity options included Bluetooth and a built-in WiFi hotspot, supplemented by two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. Optional features like a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display were available to enhance the onboard experience.

The touchscreen’s portrait orientation facilitated tablet-like swiping, seamlessly integrating with the minimalist design of the interior. However, the text-heavy interface and the small fonts made reading menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was also too small for most modern smartphones, and the front USB ports might be inconvenient for occupants of newer device generations requiring USB-C.

For the 2021 Honda CR-V, the base LX trim came with a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. All higher trims were equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio system quality varied by trim, from the six-speaker 180-watt setup on the Special Edition and EX trims to the 300-watt nine-speaker system (with subwoofer) on the Touring trim.

Charging ports were ample across most trims, with a combination of USB and 12-volt outlets front and back. Excluding the LX trim, all other versions featured a variety of charge options, and the Touring trim uniquely offered a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 earned a commendable “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It excelled in crash tests, earning top “Good” scores from the IIHS and five-star ratings in frontal and side crash tests from NHTSA, though rollover testing scored four stars. The XC90’s advanced safety features included lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering, remained one of the best in the industry for its smooth operation and swift reactions.

The 2021 Honda CR-V also shone in safety assessments, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It scored “Good” in most crash tests but missed the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to headlight performance and updated side crash test ratings. Honda's approach to safety packaging was superior to many competitors, offering an extensive suite of advanced safety features as standard across all trims. These included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.