2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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 introduced softer lines, more chrome, 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. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism with high-quality materials and thoughtful design, featuring options like wool upholstery and a crystal shifter, which added a touch of luxury to the otherwise restrained interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 adopted a rugged exterior design, reminiscent of traditional SUVs, with boxy fender flares and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and other compact crossovers. Despite its bold appearance, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models. The RAV4 Trail model added a retro touch with an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road package enhanced its off-road capabilities with matte black wheels and all-terrain tires. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs and SofTex upholstery, but lacked the option for real leather, even on the top trims.

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 combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the XC90's power was impressive, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90's drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—offered varying levels of efficiency and power, but the Pure mode was limited to low speeds. Despite these challenges, the XC90 excelled in luxury, with a smooth ride and quiet cabin, and a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a single 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine boasted 40% thermal efficiency and a high rev range, the transmission struggled to keep up, leading to a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4 offered a "Sport" mode, but it only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime provided more power and refinement, making them attractive alternatives. On the highway, the RAV4's cabin was quiet, and the suspension handled road imperfections well. Off-road, the RAV4 Trail and TRD Off-Road models featured torque-vectoring AWD and 21.7 centimetres of ground clearance, but lacked the capabilities of traditional off-roaders.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six- or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. A power sunroof and upright roof profile enhanced the sense of space, while standard four-zone climate control and an optional air filtration system added comfort. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable 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 a convenient feature.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered competitive headroom and good visibility, but legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats were flat and hard. The RAV4 featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but it didn't slide like some competitors. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,977 litres with them folded. The RAV4's interior included oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but lacked large cupholders and storage options.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The touchscreen was easy to use, but the text was difficult to read while driving. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were available.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch or 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons for key functions. However, it lacked the flashiness of competitors and didn't offer a head-up display on gasoline models. The RAV4 provided up to five USB ports and an optional JBL audio system.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "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 rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. The RAV4 included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and road-sign recognition. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.