2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning with Volvo's signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with a contrasting white roof. The electric XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. It also featured a distinct rear bumper and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and premium feel.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner maintained its rugged roots, reminiscent of the 1980s SUV craze, with a design closely related to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper emphasized its off-road capabilities. Inside, the 4Runner's design reflected its last full redesign in 2009, with a dash layout typical of the late 2000s. In Canada, the 4Runner was available in Trail and SR5 models, with various TRD and Limited packages. Standard features included push-button start, remote keyless entry, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Trail model featured 17-inch dark grey alloy wheels, a unique paint scheme, and a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, among other features. The 4Runner's interior was functional but showed its age compared to more modern SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a diverse 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 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and offered one-pedal driving for regenerative braking. The Recharge model had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with low range. While the engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with significant body roll, but it excelled off-road, where its suspension absorbed rough terrain effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, surpassing most car-based crossovers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40's frunk was small, with much of the space occupied by powertrain hardware. Despite limited space, Volvo provided clever storage solutions, such as 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, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 2,540 litres of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model had slightly less space, with 2,514 litres maximum and 1,311 litres behind the second row. The third-row seat was available only on the Limited package, increasing seating capacity to seven. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-operated rear window for easy access. While not a masterclass in cabin packaging, the 4Runner provided ample space for gear, though it could be more efficient.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering 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, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. Recharge models also had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The Recharge lacked a start button, starting automatically when the driver shifted out of park.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. The system was straightforward, with hard buttons and dials for easy use, especially with gloves. While lacking advanced features like a head-up display, the 4Runner's infotainment system covered the basics and relied on tactile controls, appealing to those who appreciated its near-analog driving style.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 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 XC40 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with features like forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The 4Runner earned four stars in frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA, with three stars for rollover testing. It was backed by a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.