2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these distinctions, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to electric-car drivers who preferred not to stand out. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously, offering a premium feel uncommon in this segment.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, stood out with its distinctive grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, and unique 20-inch alloy wheels. It exuded a sense of luxury, drawing attention with its unconventional styling. Opinions on its design varied, but the Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy undeniably appeared more expensive than its price suggested. Inside, the Palisade impressed with quilted and stitched premium Nappa leather and a simulated suede headliner, offering a cabin that felt like a genuine bargain. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with thoughtful details enhancing the overall experience. The Palisade’s design and materials elevated it above many competitors in the midsize three-row SUV class, providing a plush and inviting environment for passengers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a diverse powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant increased output to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 models achieved 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 and 8.5 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 180 km/h. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality even on challenging roads. It also supported one-pedal driving, enhancing the electric driving experience. Notably, the Recharge model had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds).

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a robust 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. Drivers could select from various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, along with a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade achieved a fuel efficiency of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Its suspension tuning provided excellent body-motion control, offering a firmer feel akin to a traditional SUV without compromising comfort. The Palisade excelled in typical driving scenarios, delivering ample power and ease of operation in urban and suburban environments. It also featured a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), with a new seven-pin trailer pre-wiring connector for 2021.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. 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. Despite these limitations, the gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system’s speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, and a single USB-C port was standard, though second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space, seating, and accessibility, making it nearly perfect for a midsize three-row SUV. In the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, it offered a luxurious experience with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and separate climate controls for third-row passengers. The seats provided good support for long drives, and the second-row captain’s chairs offered ample legroom and adjustability. Access to the third-row seat was convenient, with a decent pass-through created by tilting and sliding the captain’s chairs. The Palisade’s third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class. It also provided generous in-cabin storage, with a storage tray under the centre console. Cargo space measured 509 litres behind the third-row seats, expanding to 1,297 litres with the seats folded down, and 2,447 litres with the second-row seats folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience, automatically opening when the key fob was detected.

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 setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with top-notch graphics and menu layouts. The Recharge model supported OTA updates for the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. It also 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 Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with 8-inch and 10.25-inch touchscreen displays. Both allowed pairing of two smartphones to Bluetooth simultaneously, but only the 8-inch setup supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, Blue Link connected services, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Additional technology included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, Quiet Mode, and an available head-up display. A surround-view camera system aided parking and maneuvering.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage around the battery and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems. A rear occupant alert system and Safe Exit Assist were also included. The Palisade’s Highway Driving Assist provided excellent adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. It earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring protection in the event of a collision.