2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while retaining recognizable Volvo elements. Unlike Lexus's radical styling revamp, Volvo kept its traditional boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The XC90 featured softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models, emphasizing its car-based crossover nature. 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 high-end touch to the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, the blacked-out AT4 treatment, and a black leather interior. It was equipped with the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, a Skyscape panoramic sunroof, and a three-year subscription to OnStar services, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. The SLE and SLT trims were more affordable, while the Denali trim added luxury. The Terrain's entry-level status was evident in the quality of materials and execution of details, such as the optional head-up display on a clear plastic panel and pushbutton transmission controls. Despite these shortcomings, the Terrain offered a good ride and decent handling on pavement, with a smooth and quiet cabin.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid (Recharge) combined the T6 engine with electric assist, achieving a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), while all-wheel drive (AWD) was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the impressive power, the small engine struggled to accelerate away from stops on electric power alone. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Most XC90 models had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, which offered better acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, was discontinued. The 1.5-liter engine could tow up to 1,500 pounds. The engine's torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain's competitors were not significantly more powerful, and the turbocharging helped at higher elevations. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD, AWD, Off-Road mode, and Hill Descent Control. Torque steer was an issue in FWD mode but disappeared in AWD. The Terrain AT4 had 7.9 inches of ground clearance, less than some competitors. The Terrain provided a good ride and decent handling on pavement, with a smooth and quiet cabin. However, the AT4 struggled off-road, scraping the front end on rough terrain. The sport-terrain tires lacked grip in curves, and the Terrain's powertrain was underwhelming. The Terrain AT4 met expectations for fuel economy, achieving 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

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 in all three rows 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 extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. The XC90 featured standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. The Inscription trim included 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model 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. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The Terrain AT4 included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air-conditioning vents. The eight-way power driver’s seat and tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position easy. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching and piping. The back seat was spacious, with proper support, plenty of legroom, and a rear USB charging port. The Terrain had various storage slots and spots, including a small shelf in the dashboard, narrow shelves in the door panels, and on the sides of the center console. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat down created 63.3 cubic feet of cargo space, and the front passenger seat could be folded down for longer items.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The XC90 came standard with 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. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, with swipeable menus similar to a tablet. The lack of analog controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports, limiting charging options for newer phones.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems. The SLE trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featured a high-definition 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The larger screen offered connected navigation with natural voice recognition and a Bose premium sound system. Our test vehicle had the larger screen and the Infotainment Package II, which included connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and the Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, accurately responding to various prompts. The head-up display was part of the Tech Package, which also included front and rear park assist sensors and a surround-view camera system. The Terrain's Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting system were practical features.

The 2021 XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. The non-hybrid XC90 models received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and the top “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with a lower “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover testing. The XC90 offered more standard safety features than most competitors, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles.

Every 2022 GMC Terrain came with a GMC Pro Safety Package as standard equipment, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package, available with SLE, SLT, and AT4 trims (standard with Denali), added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. Our Terrain AT4 had all these safety features, which worked effectively and subtly. The IIHS awarded the 2022 Terrain mostly “Good” crash-test scores, with a “Marginal” rating in a new side-impact test. The IIHS had not assessed the Terrain’s LED headlight performance or the effectiveness of the GMC Pro Safety Package. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain’s crashworthiness at the time of this review.