2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of Swedish elegance and modern innovation. Built on the SPA platform, it shared its architecture with other Volvo models, offering a near-luxury experience. The XC60's design featured a sleek, athletic form with short overhangs and crisp details. Its iconic upright grille and Thor’s hammer LED headlights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines and authentic materials, highlighted by a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen. The interior's harmonious textures and elegant details, like the chromed HVAC vents, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover evolved its design while maintaining its iconic presence. The new model featured subtle changes, such as a vertical accent strip and thin LED taillights, emphasizing its size and luxury. The interior was simplified with fewer buttons, a larger touchscreen, and premium materials like leather and wood trim. The Range Rover's cabin offered a refined experience, with a solid feel and excellent materials quality. It provided a more luxurious interior than many competitors, rivaling even higher-end brands like Maybach and Bentley.

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 AWD. The T5 model produced 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 models, including the Polestar Engineered variant, added an electric motor for a combined 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, with the Polestar reaching 415 hp. The XC60's PHEV capability allowed for up to 31 km of electric-only driving. It delivered a smooth, quiet ride with excellent handling, making it ideal for road trips. Fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 4.0 Le/100 km in electric mode.

The 2022 Range Rover offered two powertrains: a P400 turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and a P530 twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The P400 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in about 5.8 seconds, impressive for its size. The Range Rover's handling was surprisingly agile, with rear-wheel steering aiding maneuverability. It excelled off-road with its Terrain Response system, providing a smooth, quiet ride on various terrains.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and practicality, with highly adjustable front seats and an effective heating system 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 seats folded. It could tow up to 1,587 kg, making it versatile for various needs.

The 2022 Range Rover provided ample space in the first two rows, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. Front seats offered massage functions, and storage was plentiful with dual glove boxes and a large centre console. The second row accommodated taller passengers comfortably, while the optional third row was suitable for smaller passengers. Cargo space ranged from 484 litres behind the third row to 2,365 litres with seats folded. The split tailgate and adjustable air suspension facilitated loading and unloading.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a tablet-style interface, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system provided exceptional audio quality. The system required a learning curve but was intuitive once mastered.

The 2022 Range Rover introduced the Pivi Pro system with a 13-inch touchscreen, offering sharper graphics and quicker responses. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Meridian audio system delivering excellent sound. The system's design minimized distraction, with smart climate controls and additional tech features like Amazon Alexa integration and remote parking.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasted a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its design and features.

The 2022 Range Rover came standard with driver assist features like collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. While it lacked some advanced features found in rivals, its safety systems performed reliably, enhancing both on-road and off-road experiences.