2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while maintaining recognizable Volvo features. Unlike Lexus's radical styling revamp, Volvo kept its traditional boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The XC90's softer lines, increased chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights added a modern touch. The Inscription trim, with extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the brand.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and unique aesthetic. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The XC90's interior design focused on simplicity and elegance, avoiding overwhelming flashiness.

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its looks with Nissan's new signature exterior design. The redesigned grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights modernized the Armada while retaining its traditional beefy and athletic body styling. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades, with the popular Midnight Edition Package offered on the SL trim. The Platinum trim, tested in prototype form, showcased the highest level of luxury and features.

The Armada's exterior changes were most noticeable from the A-pillar forward, with a new grille and updated lighting elements. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its underbite, which aged the model compared to competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. The Midnight Edition Package added dark accents, including black exterior logos, mirrors, roof rails, and skid plates, enhancing the SUV's aggressive look. The new Coulis Red Pearl color option joined a range of other exterior colors, providing buyers with more customization choices.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the impressive 400 hp of the T8, the small engine struggled to provide consistent power, especially when relying on electric assist. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The gasoline engine often had to assist, limiting the efficiency of the all-electric mode. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to the optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Most XC90 models had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Armada came standard with rear-wheel drive, with automatic four-wheel drive available. Despite its weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers, and up to 9.2 inches of ground clearance. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was an impressive 8,500 pounds.

Fuel economy was a weak point for the Armada, with RWD models achieving an EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. The 4WD models fared slightly worse. The Armada's handling improved with each revision, making highway driving more manageable. However, its large turning radius and maneuverability in parking lots remained challenging. The Armada's standard trailer sway control and available Trailer Brake Controller enhanced its towing capabilities.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile gave the interior a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few console storage options. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, required a step up to enter, aided by standard running boards and in-cabin handles. The broad dashboard housed a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were out of reach for the driver. The front seats were 10-way power-adjustable for the driver and six-way for the passenger, with power lumbar support. The SL and Platinum trims offered second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity from eight to seven. Third-row seating was less comfortable for adults due to limited legroom. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for petite adults.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Nissan Armada's tech refresh included a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB Type-A and Type-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, NissanConnect Services, keyless entry with push-button start, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay as standard. Available features included a wireless charging pad, 13-speaker Bose audio system, rearview camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system. The analog tachometer and speedometer, along with a functional but unattractive steering wheel, provided limited control of the driver information screen and infotainment functions.

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 and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The NHTSA awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but received a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear door alert. Advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist were not available.