2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

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 detailing, giving it a more modern and distinctive appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights added a unique touch, enhancing the vehicle's character while maintaining its Volvo identity. 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 SUVs, providing a natural and understated elegance.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent subtle styling changes, including a new grille, LED headlights, and updated rear fascia. The design aimed for a sleeker look, with trim pieces bisecting the headlights and a more upright grille flanked by large fake air intakes. The Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a central touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit and finish for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, giving it a bit more personality, though the interior remained subdued.

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 standard. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid 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 respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox simplified its powertrain options to a single 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. While the Equinox had more torque than some rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving, but at higher speeds, it felt coarse and unresponsive. The Equinox's handling was not sporty, and it lacked the refinement of some competitors, though it remained comfortable on rough roads.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a three-row configuration with seating for six or seven, depending on the choice 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 interior felt spacious, aided by an optional power moonroof and upright roof profile. The XC90's 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 all seats down. Storage options were also limited, but a hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front-seat legroom was less generous, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked some of the flexible storage solutions found in competitors.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text could be difficult to read while driving. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were optional. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox included a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The MyLink system was easy to use, with large menu icons and good graphics. The addition of wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, though the center-console slot for phones was too small. The system covered the basics well, but tech-savvy buyers might desire more features.

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 and "Superior" front-crash prevention ratings. 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, and Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane centering.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox earned "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but received a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It achieved a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.