2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to the brand's rebirth under Geely Holding Group's ownership. This Swedish crossover, positioned between the XC40 and XC90, was built on Volvo's SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its design was elegant and athletic, with short overhangs and crisp body details. The front grille proudly displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, complemented by Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, and the attention to detail in the HVAC vents and textures elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, introduced in 2007, showed its age despite a facelift in 2018. The Sequoia's massive silhouette and multi-tiered center dash design were reminiscent of the mid-2000s. The standard 7-inch touchscreen appeared small against the expansive dash, and while the front seats were bulky, they offered comfort and support. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, with the new Nightshade Special Edition adding black accents. The TRD Pro trim catered to off-road enthusiasts with features like Fox Racing shocks and a TRD-tuned suspension. Despite its dated design, the Sequoia's spacious cabin and power-retractable rear window were notable features.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models delivered 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available in both FWD and AWD. The T6 models, with a turbocharger and supercharger, produced 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the T8 models, as plug-in hybrids, combined an 87-hp electric motor for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a smooth and agile driving experience, with EPA fuel economy figures ranging from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode for the T8.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, regardless of trim, came with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered stout acceleration despite the Sequoia's hefty weight. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity. The Sequoia's fuel economy was hampered by its older transmission, but its V8 power and truck-like feel appealed to certain buyers.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on safety and functionality. Its front seats were highly adjustable and praised for their comfort, especially in winter conditions. The XC60's heating system, including heated seats and a powerful defroster, excelled in cold weather. The cabin offered smart storage solutions, with intuitive controls and glove-friendly features. The XC60 provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It was rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, including deep door pockets and a massive center console. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was functional and accommodating.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its tablet-style touchpad interface. The system's portrait orientation and familiar gestures appealed to frequent iPad users, though it required a learning curve. The Sensus system divided the screen into function quadrants, allowing easy access to audio, navigation, and other features. Smartphone integration was seamless, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test model was exceptional, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The test model featured a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The older infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was basic but functional, providing essential information without overwhelming the driver. The Sequoia's technology was straightforward and easy to use, appealing to those who preferred simplicity.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for certain models. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety reasons, and the T8 Polestar Engineered model featured distinctive gold safety belts.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. While the Sequoia lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist, it provided a generous array of standard safety features. However, its older platform resulted in a four-star rating in the NHTSA's rollover test, and it had not been rated in other crash tests.