2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling 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 familial styling 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. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. Despite these differences, the XC40 Recharge maintained a subtle appearance, appealing to electric-car drivers who preferred not to stand out.

The interior of the XC40 was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials such as 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. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior design to meet a price point, offering a sophisticated and cohesive cabin experience.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a range of models, including the rugged Timberline and sporty ST-Line trims. Its design was based on a rear-drive platform, resulting in a long, tall hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline, giving it an athletic appearance. The blacked-out roof pillars created a “floating roof” effect, reminiscent of the previous generation. Higher-trim Explorers featured a mix of quality and less impressive materials, but overall, the cabin felt worthy of its price tag, despite occasional reminders of the base trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge 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 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, 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 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The T5 and T4 achieved 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 and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided three powertrains. The XLT, ST-Line, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,400 kilograms. The Explorer Limited offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-litre V6 engine, producing 318 hp and 322 lb-ft, towing up to 2,268 kg. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, standard on the ST and Platinum trims, generated 400 hp and 415 lb-ft, with a towing capacity of 2,540 kg. The Explorer delivered a robust ride, excelling in off-road situations with its Trail setting and ground clearance. It offered an engaging driving experience, especially with the sport-tuned ST model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in Recharge and gasoline models, 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. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against 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 system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. However, the third-row seat was suitable only for children due to the rear-drive platform and low roofline. Fully equipped models featured triple-zone climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row seats were nearly as accommodating, but the third-row seat was difficult for adults to access. Practical storage space was limited, with missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. The King Ranch model had a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 528 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 1,264 litres with the third row folded, and 2,132 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. The Recharge lacked a start button, requiring only a key fob to shift out of park.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The smaller screen was well integrated, while the larger screen appeared as an afterthought. The system included FordPass Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and navigation. Higher trims featured wireless charging, a surround-view camera, and a Bang and Olufsen sound system. The Sync 3 system had limitations in voice recognition, struggling with certain commands. The Platinum trim included a 12.3-inch digital display and Active Park Assist 2.0.

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

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, but the previous year’s model received five-star ratings except for rollover resistance. The Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also had post-collision braking and MyKey programmable functions.