2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was based on the same vehicle introduced in 2015, with design updates from 2017 carrying over. In 2020, the infotainment system was updated, and the Premier trim was dropped for 2021, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 showcased a sleek, modern design with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo committed to going leather-free by 2030, but the XC90 could still be fitted with Nappa leather for ventilated front seats. The non-leather option was a "tailored wool blend" upholstery. The XC90's interior was praised for its authentic feel and exquisite details.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). While the engine sufficed for city driving, it struggled at highway speeds and during passing maneuvers. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius provided solid maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains. The T5 model used a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 model combined a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The T5 models were FWD with available AWD, while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 model had an 18-mile EV range, with the extended range variant offering up to 36 miles. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering for long distances. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. It provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items. However, there was no option for a power liftgate or hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious cabin, enhanced by a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, with easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, it was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. The system worked better with Apple CarPlay, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. The touchscreen interface was a nine-inch diagonal, portrait-oriented unit, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. It featured two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Trax came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors available in the LT Convenience Package. However, it lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane and at a set speed or following distance with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.