2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Honda CR-V

Though no longer purely Swedish, Volvo had long retained its design ethos even under different ownerships—from Ford, to the Chinese Geely Holding Group. The acquisition by Geely allowed Volvo to emerge as a near-luxury car brand, bringing safety and innovation to the forefront. By 2021, their product lineup was known for elegant and tailored designs, prominently showcased in the XC60.

Sitting between the smaller XC40 and the larger XC90, the 2021 Volvo XC60 was built on Volvo’s SPA (Scalable Product Architecture). The SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles, brought a consistent look of athletic, crisp details and short front and rear overhangs across Volvo's crossover lineup.

The XC60's outward elegance was emphasized by its upright grille featuring Volvo’s iron mark logo and the distinctive LED Thor’s hammer headlights. Paint quality, chrome, and trim were meticulously crafted, while the large alloy wheels—up to 21 inches on top trims—were not only functional but stylish.

Inside, the XC60’s cabin was the epitome of Scandinavian design with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, initially controversial, was now widely accepted for its ease of use. Little details, like the sophisticated HVAC vent design, highlighted the XC60’s transition to near-luxury status. Every texture and color choice created a harmonious and rewarding environment, making it a delightful place to spend time.

Contrarily, the 2021 Honda CR-V’s design followed the industry trend of uniformity among compact crossovers. This meant it looked much like its competitors with minimal distinct features. Exceptions included the grille opening and selective use of chrome plastic features.

Offered in eight color options, the CR-V’s palette was rather conservative, dominated by shades of gray, black, and white. The only vibrant hue available was Aegean Blue Metallic, which was rare on dealer lots and mostly limited to higher trims.

Inside, the CR-V presented practical but modern aesthetics, with angular front and rear seats featuring sharp detailing. Depending on the trim, materials ranged from cloth to leather, with wood panels and chrome accents available on higher trims for a more upscale feel. While the CR-V matched its peers in functionality, it faced stiff competition from more distinctively styled rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was equipped with various powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models had the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 variations came with AWD only.

• T5 Models: Featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
• T6 Models: Combined turbocharging and supercharging to deliver 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
• T8 Models: Integrated an 87-horsepower electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The Polestar Engineered T8 variant amped these figures slightly to 415 horsepower.

Test drives of the top-tier XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered revealed impressive performance, especially given its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) nature. This model could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone and manage a range of smart hybrid functions, including energy recuperation and gasoline engine boosting. The XC60’s balanced heft ensured stable, confident handling, and the AWD system with torque vectoring facilitated smooth cornering. The quiet cabin and adaptive suspension made it perfect for long road trips.

Fuel economy varied, with the T5 FWD achieving 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway, and T8 PHEV models managing 27 mpg combined. Notably, the T8 PHEV could achieve 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. Volvo recommended premium gasoline for all XC60 models.

Performance was not the highlight of the 2021 Honda CR-V, as it was tuned for reliability and consistent, everyday driving rather than thrilling acceleration. All nine trims shared a 190-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Real-world tests pegged the CR-V’s 0-60 mph acceleration around 7.8 seconds. While not quick, it was adequate for most driving situations. The CVT provided smooth acceleration, though it lacked the engagement offered by competitors with conventional eight-speed automatic transmissions, such as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

The CR-V was available in front-wheel drive by default, with optional all-wheel drive across all trims. Consistent with class standards, it had a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, ensuring decent ride quality and predictable handling.

The XC60 stood out for its thoughtful design aimed at comfort and functionality. Its seating, particularly in the front row, was highly adjustable and praised for comfort. In harsh winter conditions, the heating system excelled, displaying Swedish expertise in dealing with cold climates. The efficient heating of both the cabin and critical exterior components like glass and mirrors showcased Volvo's attention to detail.

Storage solutions were generous and well-integrated throughout the cabin, offering utility in both the front and rear rows. Rear-seat passengers could enjoy secure storage options and user-friendly controls.

The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, and could tow up to 3,500 pounds—quite substantial for a crossover.

The design of the CR-V emphasized utility and space. With 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, it provided more room than competitors like the Toyota RAV4. Cargo capacity was also impressive, with 39.2 cubic feet available behind the second row and a total of 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Access to the cargo area varied by trim. Base models required manual operation of the tailgate, while the EX-L and Touring trims offered power and hands-free options for ease of use. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim, enhancing the vehicle's versatility for carrying additional cargo externally.

Volvo’s Sensus system spearheaded the XC60’s technology suite. The 9-inch, tablet-style touchpad in portrait orientation might have drawn mixed reactions initially, but its swipe, pinch, and pull gestures were intuitive to iPad users. The screen was divided into function quadrants for easy access to audio, navigation, vehicle, and communications settings. However, mastering its use required a dedicated learning period.

Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo On Call app for remote vehicle functionalities. The optional Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided an exceptional auditory experience.

Base CR-V models offered minimal technology, with a 5-inch color screen limited to Bluetooth connectivity. From the Special Edition trim upwards, a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, along with SMS functions.

Audio systems varied by trim, from a basic 180-watt system in lower trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim. Sirius XM and HD radio were available from the EX trim onwards, while the Touring model exclusively featured satellite navigation with voice recognition.

Higher trims also included multiple USB charging ports and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim, reflecting a practical approach to in-car technology.

Volvo’s dedication to safety shone brightly in the XC60, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings for T5 and T6 AWD models from the NHTSA. The XC60 boasted an extensive suite of standard safety features:

• LED headlights
• Blind-spot monitoring with steering assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking
• Collision avoidance and mitigation at various speeds
• Recognition systems for vehicles, cyclists, and large animals
• Various airbag arrangements including driver-side knee airbags
• Whiplash protection and road hazard alerts

Volvo’s Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system, integrated adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist and could bring the vehicle to a complete stop when necessary. Additionally, the XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The CR-V excelled in safety, achieving five-star overall crash test ratings from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, though it missed the Top Safety Pick+ due to varied headlight performance and updated side crash scores.

The CR-V’s standout feature was the Honda Sensing suite, standard across all trims, encompassing:

• Multi-angle rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Road departure mitigation
• Lane keeping assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Auto high-beam headlamps

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available from the EX trim onwards.