2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch, aligning well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured distinctive design elements like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge was differentiated by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a unique rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials, real metal trim, and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor, offering an upright layout for a commanding road view. Inside, it featured a modern and attractive dash design with tech features seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic. The Tucson was available in several trims: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim included 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, and more advanced tech and comfort options, culminating in the Ultimate trim with an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims featured a 2.4-liter engine with 181 hp and 175 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with standard FWD and optional AWD. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine offered a livelier performance around town. The Tucson provided a comfortable and refined ride, balancing softness and athleticism. It had a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds with the base engine and 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it was not particularly spacious, with less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, with a single USB-C port standard.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While on the lower side for the segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. Higher trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The Tucson provided solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats for long trips. The rear seats were less spacious but accommodating for adults. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments, with helpful trays for the driver’s essentials.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model supported OTA updates for the infotainment system and other software-controlled functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present. The Polestar 2’s Digital Key feature was expected in a future update, but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim featured an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, optional on other trims. The system was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and hard buttons for convenience. Available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been rated, but Volvo expected strong performance due to 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 more. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered standard driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Upper trims added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and a 360-degree parking monitor. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.