2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat uninspiring, design. Its styling was considered timeless, appealing to those planning to keep their vehicle for many years. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, and LED headlights, all accentuated by a Star White metallic paint. Inside, the Expedition King Ranch featured Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with King Ranch logos throughout. However, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was a downside for a vehicle in this price range.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling, with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch. It shared familial styling cues with other Volvo models, such as the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, was distinguished by a blanked-off grille and model-specific wheels. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen blending seamlessly into the overall aesthetic.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel-drive in Canada. The Expedition had a towing capacity of up to 4,173 kilograms and offered a ground clearance of 24.9 centimetres. Despite its size, the Expedition was agile in urban environments, though the steering was slow. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, but the large wheels sometimes resulted in a busy ride. Fuel consumption was rated at 14.1 L/100 km in the city and 10.6 on the highway.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The base T4 gasoline engine produced 187 horsepower, while the T5 offered 248 hp. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, delivered 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized comfort over speed, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge model also featured one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo, and passenger capacity. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, with comfortable heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults. The standard-length Expedition offered 546 litres of cargo space behind the third row, while the MAX version provided 971 litres. With the third row folded, cargo space increased to 1,672 litres (2,075 with the MAX).

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y. Clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin and large door bins, compensated for the lack of space. The centre console was designed to hold a phone securely, with a wireless charging pad available. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, which was user-friendly but occasionally slow. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Other highlights were FordPass Connect with a WiFi hotspot, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which simplified trailer manoeuvring.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model also offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The absence of a start button meant drivers could simply shift out of park to start the vehicle.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of safety features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. It received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in crash tests. The ADAS technology was smooth and effective, though lane departure warnings could be confused with road vibrations.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.