2022 GMC Yukon 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 classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and 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 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 a crystal shifter.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Yukon embraced a bold, chrome-heavy design, particularly evident in the Denali trim with its vast chrome grille and 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels. The Yukon aimed to stand out among large SUVs by emphasizing its commanding presence. The AT4 trim offered a unique off-road look with a dark grille and skid plate. Inside, the Yukon provided a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured exclusive interior designs, such as the Teak/Light Shale colour combo, adding a premium touch with contrasting colours and natural wood details. The AT4 trim had a Jet Black interior with Brandy accents, emphasizing its rugged appeal.

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, boosting output to 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 of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the XC90's power was sufficient, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—but the Pure mode was limited to low speeds. Despite its powertrain limitations, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2022 GMC Yukon provided three engine options, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. The diesel engine, known as the "Baby Duramax," offered impressive torque and fuel efficiency, allowing the Yukon to travel over 1,000 kilometres on a tank. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms with the right configuration. The Denali trim, with its 6.2-litre V8, provided ample power, though the exhaust note lacked the richness of some competitors. The Yukon's independent rear suspension improved ride quality and handling, though some bouncing was noted on rough surfaces. The optional air ride adaptive suspension enhanced comfort and off-road capability.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six- 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 created a 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 behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with all seats down. A hands-free power tailgate was standard.

The 2022 GMC Yukon improved third-row space significantly, with 886 mm of legroom, thanks to a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension. Cargo space behind the third row increased to 722 litres. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easy access to the third row. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console with hidden storage. Power-retractable assist steps and pushbutton transmission controls added convenience, though the latter required some acclimation.

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 minimized the need for physical buttons. However, the text was sometimes difficult to read, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre and a 15-inch head-up display on the Denali trim. The 10.2-inch touchscreen featured Google Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. The Denali Ultimate Package included a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens. The infotainment system was comprehensive, though the Bose audio quality was underwhelming.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 GMC Yukon came with GMC's Pro Safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Denali trim added features like a Safety Alert Seat and rear camera mirror. The Yukon received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results in individual tests.