2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while introducing a more characterful appearance. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its 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 like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain underwent a styling refresh, featuring updated front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level added a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle, with its Ebony Twilight metallic paint and black leather interior, was equipped with numerous packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II. Despite its entry-level status, the Terrain offered a range of features, though the quality of materials and execution left room for improvement. The pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray were notable design choices that impacted functionality.

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 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 variant, with both turbocharging and supercharging, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin and a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the engine within its torque band, though acceleration was delayed. The Terrain's towing capacity was limited to 680 kilograms, a reduction from the previous 2.0-litre engine's capability. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control. While the Terrain provided a smooth ride on various surfaces, its off-road capabilities were limited, and the powertrain lacked excitement. Fuel economy was a strong point, with ratings of 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.3 on the highway.

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. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile enhanced the sense of space. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, though storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain's interior featured numerous storage solutions, though the storage tray was narrow. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded for longer items.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that was easy to use. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the second-row USB-C ports limited front-seat connectivity.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the SLE trim and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and OnStar services. The larger screen added connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package added a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

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 a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly "Good" crash-test scores, though it received a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.