2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

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 (SPA) platform, the XC60 shared its foundation with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles, showcasing a cohesive design language. The XC60's exterior featured a sophisticated two-box design with short overhangs, athletic body sides, and crisp details, all crowned by the iconic Volvo iron mark logo on the grille. The Thor’s hammer LED daytime running lights added a distinctly Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60's cabin was a sanctuary of Scandinavian design, 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 large displays, and the attention to detail in elements like the HVAC vents elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy when it debuted as a 2016 model. While maintaining Volvo's traditional boxy profile and blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with Thor’s Hammer daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Built on the same SPA platform as the XC60, the XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism with thoughtfully arranged materials and a natural matte-finish wood trim. Unique features like wool upholstery and an Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, although the latter seemed slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model, with its turbocharged engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, including the top-of-the-line T8 Polestar Engineered, incorporated an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the Polestar version slightly increasing horsepower to 415. The T8 models were plug-in hybrids, offering up to 31 kilometres of electric-only driving. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring ensured agile handling, while the cabin remained quiet and the suspension smoothed out road imperfections. Fuel consumption figures 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 Volvo XC90 also featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine across its powertrains, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model, with its turbocharged engine, produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 variant, with both turbo and supercharging, increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, branded as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, achieving a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the XC90 offered ample power, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90's drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—allowed for varying levels of efficiency and performance, but the Pure mode was limited to low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. It also boasted a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed to provide comfort and style while ensuring safety. The front seats were highly adjustable, and the heating system excelled in winter conditions, quickly warming the driver and front-passenger seats. The XC60's HVAC vents were both elegant and functional, and the cabin offered smart storage solutions throughout. The XC60 provided 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. It was rated to tow up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat and seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile created a spacious feel. The XC90's front seats were 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, with backrest massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. The XC90 featured a hands-free power tailgate.

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, but it required a learning curve. The Sensus system divided the screen into function quadrants, allowing users to access audio, navigation, vehicle, and communication functions. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system was exceptional.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system's portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, but the text and typeface made reading menus challenging while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the XC90 only had second-row USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available.

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 featured a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. 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 Volvo XC90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered an extensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.