2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while introducing a more characterful appearance. The XC90 retained Volvo's signature boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines, increased chrome detailing, and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," with high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined yet understated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered a more athletic and rugged design, with a long and tall hood, short front overhang, and a rakish roofline. The blacked-out roof pillars created a "floating roof" effect, adding to its modern appeal. The Explorer's interior, especially in higher trims, combined quality materials with some less impressive elements, reflecting its diverse model lineup. While the cabin generally matched its price point, occasional reminders of the base trim were evident. The Explorer King Ranch model, not available in Canada, showcased features similar to the top-tier Platinum trim, offering a mix of comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the XC90's power was ample, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90's ride quality was excellent, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and it offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided three powertrain options. The XLT, ST-Line, and Timberline trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid option, available on the Limited trim, combined a 3.3-litre V6 engine with electric assistance, producing 318 hp and 322 lb-ft. The top-tier ST and Platinum trims boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 400 hp and 415 lb-ft. The Explorer's ride was robust, with off-road capabilities enhanced by the Timberline trim. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,540 kilograms, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious due to the optional power sunroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered comfort for families, with the option of a second-row bench seat for occasional five-passenger capacity. The third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited space. Higher trims included features like triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Storage space was somewhat lacking, but the Explorer provided 528 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,132 litres with all rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, emphasizing simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that was easy to navigate. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system included FordPass Connect services, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system. Higher trims featured wireless smartphone charging and a Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the voice recognition system was less effective than newer Sync 4 technology, and the larger touchscreen felt like an afterthought in the dashboard design.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Ford Explorer also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. While the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, the previous year's model received five-star ratings in most categories. The Explorer came equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.