2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of the Swedish brand's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of elegance and innovation. Built on Volvo's SPA platform, the XC60 featured a sophisticated two-box design with short overhangs and an agile form. The front grille, adorned with Volvo's iron mark logo, and the Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded a Scandinavian aura with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a nod to Volvo's early adoption of such technology, and the attention to detail in the cabin, from the HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colours, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2021 BMW X5, part of BMW's true SUV range, was unmistakably a BMW with its signature kidney grille and body shape. The X5's exterior featured full adaptive LED headlights and various styling options, including the sporty M Sport package. Inside, the X5's interior was a mix of familiar BMW elements, with switches, dials, and displays from the brand's parts bin. While the interior was not shoddy, the abundance of black plastic and the sameness of design across BMW models were notable. The M Sport models offered unique styling elements, but the overall interior design felt like it could belong to any BMW vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, including the top-of-the-line T8 Polestar Engineered, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, achieving up to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models were plug-in hybrids, offering up to 31 kilometres of electric-only range. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and secure driving experience, with fuel consumption figures ranging from 11.1 L/100 km city to 4.0 Le/100 km in electric-only mode.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a variety of powertrains, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kWh battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 50 kilometres of electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at higher speeds and a Lincoln-like cabin quietness. Fuel consumption varied, with the X5 M being the least efficient at 15.7 L/100 km combined, while the xDrive45e achieved 4.7 Le/100 km when using electricity and gas.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling harsh winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60 was rated to tow up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with cupholders positioned at the front of the centre console and a wireless phone charging pad. The seating was comfortable for short trips, but the front seats felt hard after extended periods. The rear seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and an optional third row was available. The X5's split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button facilitated loading cargo, with ample space in the cargo area. However, moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to narrow door openings.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, a tablet-style touchpad interface with a portrait orientation. The system divided the screen into function quadrants, allowing users to access audio, navigation, vehicle, and communication functions. While intuitive for some, the system required a learning curve. The XC60 offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an exceptional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a digital gauge cluster, and a 10-speaker sound system. Additional features included voice recognition, Bluetooth, USB ports, navigation, and a panoramic sunroof. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless charger, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for certain models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and various driver assistance technologies. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, particularly in bright sunlight or rain. The X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.