2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Ford Bronco was a long-awaited revival of a classic, drawing inspiration from its 1966 predecessor. Ford's designers embraced "Retrofuturism," blending the Bronco's iconic design with modern technology and materials. The result was a rugged, adventure-ready SUV with a distinctive single-piece grille, round headlights, and bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, the Bronco offered a range of wheel and tire options, including the off-road-focused Sasquatch package. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with contemporary technology, featuring a color touchscreen and a digitized instrument cluster. The interior was designed for durability, with reinforced metal and grippy rubber in high-use areas, making it both stylish and practical for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2021 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, marked a successful design evolution for the brand, maintaining Volvo's traditional styling cues while adding a touch of modernity. The XC90's exterior featured a boxy profile and a rectangular grille, with softer lines and distinctive LED headlights known as "Thor’s Hammer." The Inscription trim level added extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels for a flashier appearance. Inside, the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, offering a clean and elegant interior with matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The cabin was spacious, with a power moonroof and four-zone climate control, providing a comfortable and luxurious experience for passengers.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter was paired with a 10-speed automatic. All models featured standard four-wheel drive, making the Bronco a capable off-road performer. During testing in challenging weather conditions, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road prowess, handling mud, rocks, and trails with ease. The 2.7-liter engine provided ample power for both on-road and off-road driving, while the Sasquatch package's 35-inch tires enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 variant featured a turbocharged engine with 250 horsepower, while the T6 added supercharging for 316 hp. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC90's performance was balanced, with the T8 offering impressive power for its size. However, the small engine struggled with acceleration in all-electric mode, requiring the gasoline engine's assistance. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, with an optional air-suspension system providing a smooth and quiet ride, while maintaining a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Bronco excelled in modularity and practicality, with removable doors and fenders designed for easy storage and replacement. The Bronco's cargo area accommodated door storage bags, and the vehicle featured protective skid plates and removable bumpers for off-road durability. Inside, the Bronco offered thoughtful features like trail sights on the hood for managing roof-mounted cargo and a row of buttons for suspension settings. The interior was designed for off-road functionality, with auxiliary switches for additional equipment and a rugged, durable feel.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 provided a spacious interior with six or seven-seat configurations, depending on the choice of second-row seating. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults. The XC90's interior featured high-quality materials, with options like 10-way power-adjustable front seats and a power moonroof. However, storage space was limited, with a shallow center console and minimal cargo capacity, especially with the third row in use. The XC90 offered a hands-free power tailgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 12-inch display. The system included enhanced voice recognition and a G.O.A.T. system for off-road traction control. The Bronco offered a range of tech upgrades, including a 10-speaker B&O sound system, wireless charging, and a 360-degree camera. The Sasquatch Package added Bilstein shock absorbers for improved off-road performance.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display were available. The touchscreen's portrait orientation made it easy to use, though some text was difficult to read while driving. The XC90 also included USB ports and a wireless charging pad, though the latter had limited compatibility with larger phones.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered a range of safety features, with more advanced options available on higher trims. The Base model included airbags, while the Mid Package added features like pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear-view camera. The High Package included a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-road situations, though crash-test ratings were not yet available from NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings, with the non-hybrid models earning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" designation and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Volvo's Pilot Assist system provided adaptive cruise control and lane centering, though it struggled with highway curves.