2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top and doors added to its rugged persona. Inside, the Wrangler maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, emphasizing utility over luxury. The various trims, from the basic Sport to the off-road king Rubicon, offered a range of features, with the Sahara providing a more upscale experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC60 showcased a sleek, elegant design with short front and rear overhangs and a tailored crossover look. The upright grille with Volvo’s iron mark logo and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60 exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene cabin atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail in the HVAC vents and overall cabin design elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine was also available, delivering 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The new-for-2020 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine provided 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler's on-road performance was less refined, with significant road noise and a rough ride. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine across its T5, T6, and T8 models, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 models offered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushing it to 415 hp. The XC60 provided a smooth, quiet ride with excellent handling, making it a great road-trip car. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 highway/25 combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV and 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, with the latter being more popular. The Wrangler's doors and windshield could be removed, and the roof was available in various configurations, including a soft top, hardtop, and the Sky One-Touch roof. With the rear bench lowered flat, the Wrangler Unlimited offered about 72 cubic feet of cargo space, less than many less-capable SUVs. Despite its limited cargo space and comfort, the Wrangler excelled in off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system that performed well in cold weather. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, making it a pleasant place to spend time. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Each model was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds, adding to its versatility.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available as an option on the Sport S. The Sahara and Rubicon could also be equipped with an 8.4-inch Uconnect system, adding navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system.

The 2021 Volvo XC60's infotainment system was centered around the Sensus system, featuring a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system included Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot with a free three-month trial. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test XC60 was exceptional, providing high-quality sound and an attractive design.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features such as airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were particularly helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 benefited from Volvo's long-standing commitment to safety. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. The XC60 also offered Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, and was governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.