2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of near-luxury and innovative design. Built on the SPA platform, the XC60 shared its architecture with other Volvo models, offering a cohesive design language. Its exterior featured an elegant two-box design with short overhangs and athletic body sides, highlighted by the iconic Thor's hammer LED headlights. Inside, the XC60 exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene cabin atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, complemented by thoughtful details like the elegant HVAC vents and harmonious textures.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, continuing its second generation into its 14th year, maintained a mature design with a modest grille and elegant wheel arches. Its substantial dimensions and ground clearance gave it a commanding presence. However, the interior design felt dated compared to modern SUVs, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. Despite this, the Sequoia's interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and tight seams. The Nightshade Special Edition model added a touch of modernity, showcasing Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant.

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 and supercharged engine with an 87-hp electric motor, delivering up to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models were plug-in hybrids, offering up to 31 kilometres of electric-only range. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided agile handling, and its fuel consumption ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 4.0 Le/100 km in electric-only mode.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia featured a single powertrain option: a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. However, its weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms resulted in higher fuel consumption ratings of 18.5 L/100 km city and 16.4 combined. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities enhanced by the TRD Pro model's Fox shocks.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system adept at handling winter conditions. The cabin featured 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's towing capacity was 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across three rows with ample headroom and legroom. Three-zone climate control and a power moonroof added to the comfort, while the cargo area provided 535 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 3,401 litres with the second and third rows folded. The Sequoia's interior storage was generous, with a large centre console and door pockets.

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 was a highlight.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated with its 7-inch touchscreen, though it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Platinum and TRD Pro models added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. While the Sequoia lacked modern powertrain technology, it featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

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 equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping aid, and Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. Volvo's commitment to safety extended to limiting the XC60's top speed to 180 km/h.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS but offered a robust set of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P suite included pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The STAR safety system provided stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags, ensuring occupant protection.