2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, successfully adding character to its traditionally conservative styling. While maintaining its recognizable Volvo identity with a boxy profile and blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, the XC90 shared its platform with other Volvo models, emphasizing its crossover nature. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged interior. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a luxurious, albeit slightly out-of-place, element.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, captured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of Land Rover designs. Its short front overhang and well-designed rear overhang enhanced its off-road capabilities, while the tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides minimized potential trail obstructions. The Bronco Sport's exterior featured bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a subtle Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and the Badlands model featuring all-terrain tires. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet uncluttered design, with unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim improved with each model, transitioning from cloth to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and offering practical features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. All models in Canada came with standard all-wheel drive. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 options. The plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds, with the gasoline engine frequently stepping in. The XC90 excelled in luxury, offering a smooth ride with its optional air-suspension system and maintaining a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured two engine options, linked to its trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims housed a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model boasted a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, complemented by a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport impressed off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance, providing a smooth trail experience. On-road, the 2.0-litre engine suited the Bronco Sport's character better, while the 1.5-litre engine felt strained under pressure.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or 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. An optional power sunroof enhanced the spacious feel, and the standard four-zone climate control could be upgraded with a filtration system. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, though the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage was limited, with a shallow centre console and few storage options. Cargo space was 317 litres with all seats up, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded, placing it near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to fit two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow 997 kilograms, while the 1.5-litre engine towed 907 kilograms. The cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin provided ample storage with large door pockets and multiple cubbies. Visibility issues arose for taller drivers, both on-road and off-road, due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, emphasizing simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Standard USB ports were available, with a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display as options. The touchscreen's portrait orientation made navigation intuitive, though the text was sometimes hard to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with the latest SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered multiple G.O.A.T. modes, with additional off-road capabilities in the Badlands model. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all but the Base model, and higher trims included a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Volvo's extensive safety features included lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, offering pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. AWD and a terrain management system enhanced safety. The Bronco Sport earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.