2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but 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. The XC90 was built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, shared with other models in the "90" and "60" series, and its interior embodied Swedish minimalism with high-quality materials and thoughtful design, including options like wool upholstery and an Orrefors crystal shifter.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe maintained the iconic Wrangler design, with its exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and seven-slot grille. The plug-in hybrid version was subtly differentiated by blue decals, badging, and a charger port. The interior quality was consistent across the lineup, with three grades available: Unlimited Sahara, Unlimited Sahara High Altitude, and Unlimited Rubicon. The Rubicon featured unheated cloth seats as standard, with optional leather seats and a Cold Weather Group package. The Wrangler 4xe's interior combined Dark Saddle brown leather seats, black leather inserts, and a prominent front passenger grab handle, while retaining the rugged, utilitarian feel expected from a Wrangler.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on 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, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. All models came with all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines, and the gasoline engine often assisted even at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in luxury, with an optional air-suspension system providing excellent ride quality and a quiet cabin. It also had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission ensured a smooth drive without the droning of a CVT. The Wrangler 4xe retained its trail-rated capabilities, with features like a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and impressive ground clearance and water fording capabilities. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with hybrid, electric, and e-save modes for battery management. The Wrangler 4xe provided a burst of energy from a stop, and the electric operation was quiet, though it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. An optional power sunroof and standard four-zone climate control enhanced the interior's spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was standard.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate a battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss. Headroom for the Sahara grades was 1,023 mm, with slightly reduced legroom at 970 mm. The Rubicon's soft-top roof offered more headroom. Cargo capacity was 784 litres with the second-row seats upright and 1,908 litres with them folded, slightly less than gas-only Wranglers. The Wrangler's width of 1,875 mm made it manageable in urban settings. A home charging cable was included, and the Rubicon test unit featured an optional power-retracting roof. The Wrangler's quirks included centre stack power window controls, a typical Jeep feature.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. It included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though some menus were difficult 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 Jeep Wrangler 4xe used Uconnect 4C with navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Uconnect was intuitive, with hard buttons and dials for HVAC and audio functions. The Wrangler included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster had a traditional tachometer and a gauge for electric power, with a 7-inch colour information display. Four USB ports were included, but there was no wireless phone charging pad.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in crash tests and "Superior" front-crash prevention ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared the Wrangler's IIHS ratings, with "Good" scores in most tests but "Marginal" ratings for the driver’s side small overlap front test and rear passenger head protection. The NHTSA noted a recall for a clutch pressure plate. Safety features were limited, with optional packages for blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.