2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It aligned well with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing familial styling cues like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials, 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.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder took styling cues from Nissan’s new era of SUV design, featuring a new take on the V-motion grille, LED headlights, and slim LED daytime running lights. The design paid homage to the original Pathfinder with a bulky, slated C-pillar and a three-slot grille. The Pathfinder was available in 11 paint jobs and colour combinations, with a black roof option. The SUV had a beefier look than its predecessor, with sleek taillights and bold badging. It was 15 mm wider, 7 mm higher, and 23 mm shorter than the previous generation, offering more legroom. The design changes aimed to position the vehicle as more capable and rugged. The Pathfinder came in four trim levels, with features like body-colour door handles, chrome badging, and privacy glass. The interior offered eight-passenger seating, with options for semi-aniline leather-appointed seats and a panoramic moonroof.

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 had 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor for each axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission, replacing the old CVT. The transmission, sourced from ZF, offered smooth gear transitions. The Pathfinder came with standard AWD in Canada, featuring hill descent control and seven drive and terrain modes. The SUV had a stable ride, absorbing road imperfections well. Its steering was reasonably connected, and it had a tight turning radius, making it easy to park and steer. The Pathfinder had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, with a Class II tow hitch and trailer harness available. It featured standard stabilizing trailer sway control technology, ensuring stable towing.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size. 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, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for extra-large door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, with a single USB-C port standard, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder focused on interior comfort, with reduced road noise thanks to improved insulation and acoustic laminated glass. The design prioritized flexibility, with features like wide-opening doors, optional second-row captain’s chairs, and the ability to fit three car seats across the second-row bench. The EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology allowed easy third-row access. The second-row centre console was removable, providing additional storage space. The front centre console offered 13.4 litres of storage, more than double the traditional amount. The Pathfinder had 470 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,274 litres with the second row up and the third row folded flat, and 2,421 litres with both rows folded. The SUV could accommodate three adults across the rear seat, with comfortable front and second-row seats. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated seats available on the Platinum trim. Tri-zone automatic climate control and up to 16 cup and bottle holders were included.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge offered OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It lacked a start button, with the car starting when the driver shifted out of park.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a wealth of technology, with most features available without opting for the Platinum trim. Standard features included a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and hands-free text messaging. The Pathfinder Platinum offered a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel and a head-up display. A 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system was available on higher trims. Upper trim levels also included a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay, and additional USB ports.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for the gasoline model. It came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. It also included a driver alertness monitor, rear door alert, and forward-collision warning. A rearview camera was standard, with a surround-view monitor available on upper trims. The Pathfinder had ten airbags, with the Platinum trim offering 11. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2022 Pathfinder.