2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, blending traditional elements with modern touches. While maintaining its boxy profile and rectangular grille, the XC90 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 flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 combined elements from the Nissan Armada and Infiniti's design language. The body-on-frame construction and shared body shell with the Armada were evident, but the QX80's front end featured Infiniti's distinctive grille and headlight design, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base Luxe trim and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its presence. Inside, the QX80's design closely mirrored the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery. However, the interior felt more Nissan than Infiniti, with some switchgear and the foot-operated parking brake carried over from the Armada. Despite this, the QX80's interior still felt luxurious, though it lacked the exclusivity some buyers might expect.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on 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 model added a supercharger, increasing 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 assist, 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 power figures, the small engine struggled to provide flexible performance, especially in the T8, where the gasoline engine often had to assist even at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. Most models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, except the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a $3,100 option for four-wheel drive. The V8 provided responsive performance, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction was complemented by independent suspension and a rear auto-leveling feature, providing a comfortable ride. The Sensory trim included Hydraulic Body Motion Control to limit body roll during cornering. Despite this, the QX80 felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll. The speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,500 pounds, and offered decent off-road capability with its 4WD drivetrain and standard skid plate.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom 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 and standard four-zone climate control added to the interior's spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console bin. Cargo space was 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, which was near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was optional. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, both with two-way lumbar support. The Sensory models added heating and cooling for the front seats. The bottom cushions of the front seats lacked thigh support, which could be uncomfortable on long trips. Passenger space was competitive, with enough room for adults in the third row. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain’s chairs folded. The QX80 featured a power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row. The center console could open from both the front and back, but storage space was limited.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which 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. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. However, the amount of text and typeface 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 INFINITI QX80 came with the InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. Optional features included a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were backed by analog controls, but the user interface was confusing and required trial and error to operate. The screens were small and far from the driver, making them difficult to use. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features, enhancing visibility and ease of driving.

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 a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with an "Advanced" rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS did not test the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were standard, unlike many other luxury brands.