2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing, it presented a more refined appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that blended seamlessly with the overall design. The interior of the XC90 was a testament to Swedish minimalism, offering high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged cabin. The use of matte-finish wood trim and the option for wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and sophistication, drawing on its rich heritage while embracing modern design elements. The exterior featured hallmark design cues such as blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling lines that tapered toward the rear. Inside, the Range Rover offered a high-contrast design with an Ivory-color interior, creating a mid-century modern ambiance. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained timeless, much like a classic Porsche 911. The cabin was a sensory delight, with quality leather upholstery and a luxurious feel, although the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was not as intuitive as newer systems.

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. The T6 variant 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. While the XC90 provided ample power, the small engine struggled to match the flexibility of larger engines in competitor SUVs. The XC90's ride quality was excellent, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and it offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a wide range of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's four-wheel drive system, combined with Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured its legendary off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the SUV's high driving position offered a commanding view. However, the Range Rover's steering was relatively slow, and its weight and tall center of gravity resulted in noticeable side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated the Range Rover's fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with headroom and legroom in all three rows being average for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats in the second and third rows lacked support. The XC90's interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power moonroof and upright roof profile. The range-topping Inscription model featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was near the bottom of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension offered a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, although shorter passengers still found it challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an unsupported seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered luxury features such as quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. The Range Rover's cargo capacity was also limited, with 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, although the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology was rendered using three digital displays, with the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system offering numerous features and functions. While the system was not entirely intuitive, it was manageable for those familiar with smartphones and tablets. The dual 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for easy access to the owner's manual.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. The XC90 also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It 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 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, which worked well, although the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.