2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, presented a clean and somewhat understated full-size SUV design. While some might have found its styling a bit dull, this simplicity often aged well, making it a practical choice for long-term ownership. 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, although the presence of hard plastics, especially in lower trims, was a point of contention.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully redefined Volvo's image with its design, maintaining traditional styling elements like a boxy profile and rectangular grille while adding softer lines and more chrome. The LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive touch. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged materials, matte-finish wood trim, and unique options like wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin.

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. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided ample power and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition's 4WD system was standard in Canada, offering a towing capacity of up to 4,173 kilograms for the standard model. Despite its size, the Expedition handled urban environments well, thanks to its tight turning radius and adaptive damping suspension, although the ride could be busy on imperfect roads. Fuel consumption was rated at 14.1 L/100 km city, 10.6 highway, and 12.5 combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The T5 produced 250 horsepower, the T6 increased output to 316 hp with turbo- and supercharging, and the T8 plug-in hybrid delivered 400 hp with electric assist. All models featured AWD in Canada. While the T8's power was impressive, the small engine struggled with flexibility, and the XC90 often required the gasoline engine to assist even at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Its towing capacity was 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo, and passenger capacity. The King Ranch's power running boards facilitated easy entry, and the interior offered comfortable seating, especially in the front with heated and ventilated seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space was 546 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,672 litres with the third row folded, and 2,962 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six- or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom. The third row was tight for adults, and seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious due to the power sunroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with both rows down, placing it near the bottom of the segment.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, which, while functional, felt outdated compared to newer systems. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect with a WiFi hotspot. A Bang & Olufsen sound system and rear-seat entertainment were available, along with Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier towing.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though some text was hard to read while driving. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available, but the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2020 Ford Expedition's size contributed to its crash safety, and it came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, including features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assistance. It earned 5-star ratings from the NHTSA in most tests, with a 4-star rollover rating.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" rating for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, living up to Volvo's safety reputation.