2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe presented a diverse lineup with six distinct versions, each offering unique styling elements. The base LS and popular LT models featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires on 20-inch wheels, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The upscale Premier adopted the RST’s grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country showcased a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe’s design was dominated by its grille, complemented by standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the LS to $81,448 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim tested at $80,293, including various option packages.

Inside, the Tahoe offered a mix of cloth and leather seating, with the LT trim introducing leather options. The Premier and High Country trims added perforated leather in various colours. The interior was centred around a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, which improved storage but compromised control layout. The absence of a front bench seat limited seating to eight passengers. The Z71 trim met quality expectations, featuring exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, with its traditional SUV styling, featured a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo’s lineup through elements like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, offering a subtle electric-car option. Built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture, the XC40 accommodated both gasoline and electric powertrains. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo maintained a high standard of interior design, avoiding the typical cost-cutting measures seen in this segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard 5.3-litre V8, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country featured an exclusive 6.2-litre V8, producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The diesel engine promised improved fuel efficiency, with a 3.5-litre per 100 kilometres improvement in combined driving. A 10-speed automatic transmission powered the Tahoe, with rear-wheel drive standard on base trims and four-wheel drive optional or standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and off-road enhancements. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle an 831-kilogram payload. The major engineering change was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride, handling, and interior comfort. The Z71 impressed with its ride quality, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-litre V8 and 10-speed transmission provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The engine’s Dynamic Fuel Management technology improved fuel efficiency, with a combined driving estimate of 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Handling was commendable, with suspension upgrades controlling body roll and motion.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the T5 offered 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor per axle for all-wheel drive, delivering 402 horsepower and 486 lb-ft. A 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided electricity, with 75 kWh of usable capacity. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, the T5 in 6.4 seconds, and the T4 in 8.5 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 emphasized luxury, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge offered one-pedal driving, using regenerative braking for deceleration. The Recharge could tow up to 900 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a highlight, offering a large storage tray and locking drawer. The second row offered a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter providing comfort and easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres. These figures surpassed most competitors, except for longer-wheelbase models.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge offered no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models. However, it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Recharge’s frunk was small, with much of the space occupied by powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated for the lack of space with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system’s speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, with a single USB-C port standard, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform offering enhanced computing power, over-the-air updates, and cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose premium audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use due to their recessed position. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to natural prompts. Bluetooth pairing was fast, and wireless Apple CarPlay worked effectively. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, offering versatility, though it was not fully tested. The Tahoe also offered a 15-inch head-up display, which was not included in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, introduced on the Polestar 2, while gasoline models retained the previous system. Android Automotive OS included Google apps, such as Google Assistant and Google Maps, with Android phone users able to sync their accounts for customization. The system also included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Graphics and menu layouts were high-quality, though drivers unfamiliar with Google’s interface might find it challenging. The Recharge was the first XC40 variant with OTA update capability, covering the infotainment system and any software-controlled vehicle function. Recharge models lacked a start button, with the car starting when the driver shifted out of park. A Digital Key feature was planned for the Polestar 2, but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. An OnStar Safety & Security subscription plan was available, offering collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and more. Higher trims or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert Seat, and an upgraded blind-spot warning system. The Tahoe’s driving-assistance features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA for gasoline models. These ratings did not apply to the electric Recharge, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. The XC40 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, traffic-sign recognition, and reverse automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a 360-degree camera and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system, combining adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids and capable of cloud data integration.