2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Volvo XC60

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 iconic upright grille and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinctly Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60 boasted a serene, Scandinavian-inspired cabin with clean lines and authentic materials. 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.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle, with its Ebony Twilight metallic paint and black leather interior, was equipped with various packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain offered a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and numerous storage solutions. However, the quality of materials and execution of details did not fully meet expectations for its price range.

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 increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft with the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, combined a turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the Polestar version reaching 415 hp. The XC60's plug-in hybrid capability allowed for up to 31 kilometres of electric-only driving. Fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped manage the power, but the absence of the previously available 2.0-litre engine reduced towing capacity to 680 kilograms. The Terrain offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control for challenging conditions. Fuel economy was rated at 9.6 L/100 km city and 9.0 L/100 km combined with AWD. While the Terrain's powertrain met expectations for fuel efficiency, it lacked the power and acceleration of its predecessor.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing comfort and functionality, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system well-suited for winter conditions. The cabin offered 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 also capable of towing up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a spacious interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated features, and dual-zone climate control. The AT4 trim included perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching, and the rear seat offered ample legroom and support. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded. The Terrain also featured a fold-flat front passenger seat for longer items.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a tablet-style touchpad interface that divided the screen into function quadrants. While intuitive for some, it required a learning curve. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and OnStar services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy, though the Bose speakers were less impressive.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's safety heritage, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. Volvo also limited the XC60's top speed to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain.