2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

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 classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille, 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 visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials and thoughtful design, with options like wool upholstery and a crystal shifter adding unique touches.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes, giving it a sleeker look. The grille's upright stance and large fake air intakes contributed to a chunkier appearance. Unlike some competitors, the Equinox didn't attempt rugged styling, instead offering a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia for a balanced look. Inside, the dashboard's creative design featured a touchscreen and large air vents, with decent materials and fit and finish for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the subdued interior didn't appeal to everyone.

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, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total 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' larger engines, and the plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox simplified its powertrain options to a single 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The Equinox's torque was advantageous in city driving, but the engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds, and the transmission's shifts were rough. While not designed for sporty handling, the Equinox offered decent comfort on rough roads, though it lacked the refinement of some competitors.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across its three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. An optional power sunroof and the XC90's upright roof profile enhanced the sense of space. 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.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was less than some competitors, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox's tall seating position provided good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. Cargo space was 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with the rear seats folded, near the bottom of the segment. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat.

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 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text was difficult to read while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons. The addition of wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

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. The XC90 offered extensive standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.