2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern flair. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing, it presented a more refined appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that enhanced its character. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," with high-quality materials and a restrained design. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its bold design, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, added a sporty touch, while the taillights borrowed elements from Lexus models. The Highlander appeared longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The new XSE trim level introduced a more aggressive front end and sportier suspension tuning, appealing to those seeking a blend of practicality and sportiness. The Limited trim, with chrome roof rails and accents, exuded an upscale vibe, complemented by a well-crafted interior with tan leather seats and dark brown trim. The Highlander prioritized comfort and convenience, making it an ideal choice for families.

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 of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, all models came with all-wheel drive as standard. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds, and the gasoline engine often had to assist. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high-performance driving, the Highlander provided smooth and predictable operation, making it a reliable choice for families. It compared favourably with competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride in terms of power, though it fell short of the Ford Explorer ST's performance. The Highlander's suspension prioritized comfort, resulting in a slightly lumbering feel through corners. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, appealing to those seeking a bit of driving excitement.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with the option of 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. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile created a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow centre console and minimal storage options. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with both the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a pass-through for charging cords. A wireless charging pad was standard on XSE and above trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could move forward and backward to optimize space. The third row was suitable for adults only if the second-row passengers compromised on comfort. The rear-seat climate control vents were positioned on the ceiling, which some might find inconvenient. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and 2,245 litres with both the second and third rows folded, offering ample room for various needs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its simplicity and functionality. It came with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, though the text and typeface could be challenging to read while driving. The wireless charging pad was a welcome addition, but it struggled to accommodate larger phones.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch unit available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Navigation was available from the Limited grade, though it struggled with points of interest. The 12.3-inch screen was visually impressive but limited in functionality, as some apps only used a portion of the display. A JBL audio system was standard from the Limited grade, providing decent sound quality. The inclusion of volume and tuning knobs was appreciated.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. It also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring was standard, and LED headlights were included, with LED fog lights available from the XLE grade. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.