2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. This model retained the brand's signature boxy profile and rectangular grille but introduced softer lines and more chrome detailing, giving it a more modern and distinctive appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights added a unique touch, enhancing the vehicle's character while maintaining its Volvo identity. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged cabin. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and luxurious feel, complemented by an Orrefors crystal shifter, which added a touch of elegance to the otherwise restrained interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender maintained its iconic boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood, paying homage to its predecessors. While the exterior design remained largely unchanged, the Defender's modern touches, such as rounded corners and recessed LED headlights, gave it a distinct personality. The interior was designed to reflect the Defender's rugged character, with exposed metal and screws, along with a mix of leather and suede upholstery. This approach emphasized functionality and durability, making it suitable for off-road adventures. The Defender's design successfully blended classic elements with modern features, creating a vehicle that was both nostalgic and contemporary.

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, increasing 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 assistance, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide the flexibility of larger engines found in competitor SUVs. The XC90's ride quality was commendable, with an optional air-suspension system ensuring a smooth experience, although it wasn't tuned for sporty handling. The vehicle's towing capacity was a respectable 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender introduced a new V8 engine alongside its existing powertrains. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender provided a comfortable on-road experience, with its suspension effectively absorbing bumps. The Defender's towing capacity was an impressive 3,500 kilograms, surpassing many luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, offering average headroom and legroom for the segment. The third-row space was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious due to the optional power sunroof and upright roof profile. The XC90's 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 vehicle featured a hands-free power tailgate for added convenience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing surprising comfort in the Defender 90 model. Accessing the rear seats was challenging in the two-door version, but the four-door Defender 110 model offered more flexibility with two-row and three-row configurations. The Defender 110 provided 160 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, 743 litres with the third-row seat folded, and 1,826 litres with the second row folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its simplicity and functionality. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, although the text and typeface made reading menus challenging while driving. The wireless charging pad was a welcome addition, but its size limited compatibility with larger phones.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The system's graphics and menu layouts were well-designed, although the screen required a firm touch to respond. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features including a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. The vehicle also earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing and an "Advanced" rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. The NHTSA awarded the XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the Defender, which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles. While some non-luxury SUVs offered more standard features, the Defender's safety equipment was in line with other luxury brands.