2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and unique LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials and a restrained design. The interior offered options like matte-finish wood trim and wool upholstery, with luxurious touches such as an Orrefors crystal shifter, although some elements like the crystal shifter seemed slightly out of place in the otherwise understated cabin.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 adopted a rugged exterior design, reminiscent of traditional SUVs, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and other compact crossovers, enhancing its appeal as more than just an ordinary vehicle. Despite its bold exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models, which provided a solid foundation but didn't match the off-road prowess suggested by its styling. The RAV4 offered various trims, including the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which added unique features like an Ice Edge roof, orange interior accents, and matte black wheels. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs and door handles, with SofTex upholstery in the TRD Off-Road model, although material quality didn't improve significantly with higher trims.

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 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive standard. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines, and the plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin, but its towing capacity was lower than some rivals, with most models rated at 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a single engine option for the gasoline model: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, a level typically seen in racing engines, and delivered power at high RPMs. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, and the steering lacked feedback, resulting in a less engaging driving experience. The RAV4 offered a Sport mode, but it only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid provided more power and refinement, with the Prime model delivering 302 horsepower. On the highway, the RAV4 was quiet and comfortable, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections well. Off-road capability was a focus for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which featured a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and all-terrain tires, but lacked the advanced off-road features of traditional SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with 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. An optional power moonroof and the XC90's upright roof profile created a spacious feel. The Inscription trim offered luxurious features like 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but the steering wheel wasn't power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a tall, upright roof, providing good headroom and visibility, but legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats in the TRD Off-Road model were comfortable, but the rear seats were flat and hard. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat was standard, but it didn't slide like some rivals. Cargo space was 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, above average but less than the Honda CR-V. The RAV4's interior included oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, a large center-console storage bin, and a space for smartphones, but lacked large cupholders and other storage options.

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, but the text was difficult to read while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen on Limited models and a 9-inch screen on the RAV4 Prime. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL audio system was optional. The infotainment system was easy to use, with shortcut buttons for key functions, but it lacked the flashiness of some competitors and didn't offer a head-up display on gasoline models.

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 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 Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention, but mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.