2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the boxy, rugged design that many enthusiasts missed since the 2016 LR4. Its squared-off edges, rising roofline, and roundish headlights evoked a sense of nostalgia while maintaining a purposeful look. The Defender's design included functional elements like step plates and a ladder, though some were more for show than actual use. The interior was basic and industrial, with cloth seats and exposed screws, emphasizing durability over luxury. Despite its high price, the Defender's interior felt more like a commercial vehicle than a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch. It featured Volvo's signature "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille, fitting well within the brand's lineup. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, had subtle differences like a blanked-off grille and model-specific alloy wheels. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was coherent and premium, offering a more luxurious feel compared to the Defender.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender justified its price with impressive performance. It featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, making it a powerful off-roader. The mild-hybrid system improved efficiency and responsiveness, while the eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The Defender excelled off-road, thanks to its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension, allowing it to tackle steep angles and deep water with ease. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft, suitable for the smaller two-door 90 model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model featured dual electric motors, providing 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, making it quicker than some competitors. The XC40 emphasized comfort and quietness, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed for tough conditions, with a retro and minimalist interior focused on durability. The two-door 90 model could seat up to six people with an optional jump seat, while the four-door 110 offered an optional third row for seven seats. Cargo space varied, with the 90 providing 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58 cubic feet with them folded. The 110 had 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 79 cubic feet with them folded. The Defender's ladder and roof carrier were functional, and it could tow up to 8,200 pounds.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had the same passenger and cargo space as the gasoline models, though it was less spacious than some competitors. Clever storage solutions, like a removable trash bin and large door bins, helped maximize utility. The center console had a well-designed storage cubby, and a wireless charging pad was optional. The XC40's interior space was competitive within its segment, but it fell short compared to larger electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Jaguar Land Rover systems. It had two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates, affecting up to 16 computer modules. The interface was more user-friendly, though some elements were still small and hard to read. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by front cameras showing the ground underneath the hood and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlights, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge also had over-the-air update capability, allowing for future software improvements. The lack of a start button and the introduction of a Digital Key feature were notable changes. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by any U.S. crash testing agency. It came with six airbags, forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, and 360-degree cameras. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and alerts upon exiting the vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 Recharge had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system.