2022 Porsche Macan vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated into the Volvo family with signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a modified rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. These subtle distinctions made it an appealing choice for those seeking an electric vehicle without overtly showcasing it.

The interior of the XC40 was minimalist yet luxurious, with high-quality materials such as real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior design to meet a price point, offering a premium feel throughout.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, despite being nearly indistinguishable from its original 2015 model, received a styling refresh with larger standard wheels and a new centre console featuring haptic touch controls. The Macan lineup included the base model, Macan T, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the latter inheriting the high-output powertrain from the discontinued Macan Turbo. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, showcased a Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a taut, athletic look with its sloping clamshell hood and rakish roofline.

Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring an ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, a large tachometer, and a flat, wide dashboard. The cabin, adorned with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, offered an upscale, sporty, and purposeful appearance. The new centre console, while technologically advanced, required drivers to look away from the road to use its touch-sensing controls, which could be a distraction.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featured dual electric motors providing all-wheel drive and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved the same in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, with a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the base and Macan T models, producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the previous Macan Turbo, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Macan S, our test vehicle, was equipped with a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6, producing 375 hp and 383 lb-ft, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans featured a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The Macan S offered a thrilling driving experience, with precise handling and powerful performance, thanks to its twin-turbo V6, dual-clutch transmission, and optional performance upgrades. Despite its sporty nature, the Macan S provided a comfortable ride, with responsive steering and excellent stability on challenging roads.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it was not particularly spacious, with 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 due to 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, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was designed to hold a phone securely, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger, with optional 14-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy, and the seats were comfortable. The Macan featured new steering wheels modeled after the 911 sports car, though the wheel felt thin and uncomfortable after extended driving. The redesigned centre console with haptic touch controls offered more storage space, but the touch-sensing nature required drivers to look away from the road. Cargo space measured 488 litres behind the back seat, expandable to 1,503 litres with the rear seats folded.

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

The 2022 Porsche Macan was equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Porsche Communication Management (PCM), featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with optional upgrades to a Bose or Burmester audio system. The system included touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, offering an intuitive user experience. However, the voice recognition system was less effective compared to competitors, and Android Auto was not available. The Macan provided easy access to frequently adjusted features, reducing the need to interact with the infotainment system while driving.

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 gasoline models. The Recharge model was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. The XC40 came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included standard lane-departure warning and a reversing camera, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Macan offered advanced parking assistance features, including a surround-view camera and Park Assist system. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies compared to competitors. The Macan had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.