2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. This model retained the brand's signature boxy profile and rectangular grille but introduced softer lines and more chrome accents, giving it a more modern and distinctive appearance. The LED headlights, known as "Thor’s Hammer," added a unique touch that blended seamlessly with the overall design. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged cabin. The use of matte-finish wood trim and the option for wool upholstery set it apart from other luxury vehicles, providing a refined yet understated atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sportage featured a design that some might describe as "frog-like" due to its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage's styling as "Euro-focused." The compact crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban environments. Inside, the Sportage offered an 8-inch touchscreen display as the focal point, surrounded by air vents and physical controls for ease of use. While not as tech-forward as some of its competitors, the Sportage's interior was comfortable and functional, providing a pleasant driving experience.

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, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The T6 variant added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with AWD as standard. 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 of torque. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Kia Sportage came in LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims, with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All models used a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sportage's fuel economy varied, with the FWD 2.4-liter engine achieving 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, while the AWD turbo model managed 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, and the SX Turbo trim offered a sporty driving experience, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with the option of second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90 featured a power moonroof and four-zone climate control, enhancing the spacious feel of the interior. However, storage space was limited, with a shallow center console and minimal storage options. 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 Kia Sportage, being a smaller compact crossover, offered good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited to 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which was less competitive compared to other compact crossovers.

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. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. The touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text could be difficult to read while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2021 Kia Sportage's 8-inch touchscreen managed the infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims included Kia’s UVO Link connected services, while the SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Sportage's technology was straightforward and user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls, though it lacked cutting-edge features.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "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 a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 Kia Sportage boasted a strong safety package, with standard features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim included adaptive cruise control and earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS. All trims performed well in NHTSA crash tests.