2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Mazda CX-5

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 sat comfortably between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90. Its design featured a tailored two-box crossover style with short overhangs and athletic body sides, highlighted by the iconic Thor's hammer LED headlights. Inside, the XC60 offered a serene cabin with Scandinavian design elements, including a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and meticulously crafted details like the HVAC vents, which contributed to its near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 presented subtle exterior updates, including new LED headlights and taillights, revised bumpers, and a redesigned grille. The Signature trim featured body-colour lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with Nappa leather upholstery and real wood trim. The new seats provided improved comfort and support, while the driving position became sportier. However, the control layout and infotainment system remained a source of frustration, lacking a touchscreen display and natural voice recognition.

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 delivered 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 plug-in hybrid variant combined a turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with the Polestar Engineered model boosting output to 415 hp. The XC60's fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured a Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, with a revised 6-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The turbocharged engine option offered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium gas, with a combined fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100 km. The CX-5's driving dynamics improved with increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning, providing a quieter and smoother ride. The new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) offered Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort and practicality, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling harsh winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, while the cargo space offered 613 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60's towing capacity was rated at 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and seating with new furnishings that provided better support and a sportier driving position. The back seat remained snug, but heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents improved passenger comfort. Storage space was limited, with a small centre armrest bin and door panel bins. The CX-5 offered 871 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded, which was competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a tablet-style touchpad interface, offering smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's portrait orientation and function quadrants provided an intuitive experience for tech-savvy users, though it required a learning curve. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system delivered exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, operated via centre console and steering wheel controls. The lack of a touchscreen and natural voice recognition made the system less user-friendly. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system on higher trims, providing satisfactory audio performance.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. Standard safety equipment included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 offered a robust i-Activsense package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, matching the safety credentials of luxury rivals.