2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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 flair. 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 enhanced its visual appeal. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The matte-finish wood trim and optional 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.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that was unmistakably Range Rover. It successfully scaled down the proportions of the larger Range Rover into a sporty package, featuring a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof. The Velar's design was both blocky and streamlined, with subtle adjustments like the sloping roof and wide shoulder crease. Special details, such as the taillight lenses and air ducts reminiscent of a Bugatti, added to its allure. The R-Dynamic trim introduced bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek and high-quality, even in the base trim. The three screens, including two touchscreens and a reconfigurable instrument panel, offered sharp graphics and sophisticated functionality. However, the Velar's interior was slightly less luxurious compared to previous models, with lower-grade leather and fewer premium materials.

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. 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. The T5 came with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 had standard all-wheel drive. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, although the base FWD T5 was limited to 4,000 pounds.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" experience. The Velar's standard Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but its off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, provided 340 hp and 354 lb-ft in the base S and R-Dynamic models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft in the R-Dynamic HSE. This powertrain, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered high performance while reducing emissions. The Velar's V8 option was discontinued after the 2020 model year.

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. An optional power moonroof and the XC90's upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. 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 the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar offered a tighter interior compared to midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for style, and it made a critical design error by lacking a discrete parking brake control. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, but the Velar's interior design choices, such as the bulky hand grip blocking controls, were frustrating. The Velar's older rotary dial shifter was more intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system was easy to use, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for intuitive navigation. However, the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road information. The instrument panel offered customizable layouts, but the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, 14-way power heated front seats, a proximity key, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

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. It also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, 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 was praised for its smoothness and quick reactions, although it struggled with highway curves.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.