2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored design with other Volvo models, featuring short overhangs and an agile form. The upright grille with the iconic iron mark logo and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinctly Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60's cabin was a serene space defined by clean lines and authentic materials, with a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen that had become more accepted since its introduction. The attention to detail, from the elegant HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colours, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the corners. Built on VW's MEB platform, the ID.4 was a sensible choice for North America, where crossovers were more popular than hatchbacks. While it didn't quite look like an SUV, the ID.4's interior combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available. Despite its tech-forward design, the ID.4's interior was spacious, with good front headroom and a smooth ride, though rearward visibility was limited.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 model increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft with the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, added an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant further boosted power to 415 hp. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid and secure driving experience, with a serene cabin and smooth suspension. Fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV, with premium gasoline recommended.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was available in two powertrain configurations. The base rear-wheel drive version featured a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive version added a second motor for a total of 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, though it was tuned more for comfort than sportiness. The electric motor delivered instantaneous torque, making acceleration from stoplights enjoyable. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 relied on friction brakes rather than aggressive regenerative braking, offering a more familiar driving experience for those transitioning from gasoline vehicles.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on safety and functionality. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for winter conditions. The heating system effectively handled sub-freezing temperatures, and the rear glass heater and windshield defroster were particularly effective against ice and snow. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, with 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the seats folded. The XC60 was also capable of towing up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It provided 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing several EV rivals but falling short of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a "frunk," but the interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. The unconventional twist-grip gear selector freed up space on the centre console, though storage was limited. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, efficiently maintaining cabin warmth during cold weather.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system's portrait orientation and familiar gestures appealed to frequent iPad users, though it required a learning curve. The screen was divided into function quadrants, allowing users to easily navigate between audio, navigation, and other functions. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an exceptional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system available.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display served as the instrument cluster, with haptic touchpads replacing most switchgear. While visually appealing, the touchpads lacked tactile feedback, making them challenging to use while driving. The ID.4 included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light feature, which communicated information through a light strip. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with easy-to-navigate menus.

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 the T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. It came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA for RWD versions. It offered a range of driver aids, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centring, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.