Volvo XC60 (2015) vs Volvo XC90 (2015)

Four-wheel drive is a system where torque is distributed to all four wheels of the vehicle. It is beneficial in some circumstances such as providing increased traction in tricky weather conditions, but is most suited to off-road driving.

The turn radius indicates the smallest circular turn a car can make. With a smaller turn radius it is easier to perform a U-turn in one attempt instead of having to reverse back and forth in order to turn around.

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Front-wheel drive is the most common type of drivetrain and offers several advantages. It is cheaper to manufacture (reducing the cost of the vehicle) and also lighter which helps improve fuel economy. Due to having the weight of the engine over the drive wheels it also benefits from increased traction.

This allows all four wheels to move up and down independently, providing a smoother ride when, for example, going over bumps in the road.

A petrol (gasoline) engine offers several advantages over diesel. For example the engines tend to be lighter and cheaper than their diesel counterparts. Petrol engines also tend to have higher horsepower, and the fuel is more readily available.

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A larger cargo area is more practical as it allows you to transport more things.

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More headroom in the front of the car makes for a more comfortable driving experience, and is especially important for taller people.

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The wheelbase is the distance between the center of the front and rear wheels. A longer wheelbase provides the car with more stability and a smoother ride (although a shorter wheelbase can provide more responsive handling).

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More headroom in the rear of the car makes for a more comfortable passenger experience, and is especially important for taller people. It is also useful if you are transporting cargo in the rear of the vehicle.

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The coefficient of drag is one measurement of how well air travels around a vehicle. A lower value means it is more aerodynamic and the engine doesn't have to work as hard. It can result in faster speeds and lower fuel consumption.

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Fuel economy is a measurement of fuel efficiency, based on how far you can travel with a certain amount of petrol (gasoline). A lower fuel economy means the car will be cheaper to run.

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Torque is a measurement of an engine’s power, closely related to horsepower. More torque indicates a more powerful vehicle and is also a good indication of its acceleration.

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Horsepower is the most common unit for measuring the power of an engine.

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A larger fuel tank means that you have to stop to refill less often.

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A turbocharger compresses the air entering the cylinders, allowing more air (and therefore more fuel) to be added - resulting in a more powerful explosion. This leads to an increase in horsepower without increasing the size and weight of the engine.

Fuel economy is a measurement of fuel efficiency, based on how far you can travel with a certain amount of petrol (gasoline). A higher fuel economy means the car will be cheaper to run.

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Airbags are designed to cushion occupants in the event of an impact. The standard number is around six but some cars now incorporate additional ones, such as knee airbags, side airbags and side curtain airbags.

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An in-car system (e.g., Ford SYNC, Apple CarPlay) offers extra functionalities, such as navigation, taking phone calls (when linked to your smartphone) and controlling music.

A rear-view camera (also known as a back-up camera) provides a view of behind the vehicle, helping to prevent accidents. It is particularly useful in vehicles with large blind spots such as pickup trucks.

Height-adjustable seat belts permit passengers of different sizes to move the seat belt up or down for improved comfort. They are also especially useful for increasing the safety of children.

ISOFIX (also known as LATCH) is a standard system of attachment points for child safety seats, allowing them to be fitted quickly and safely.

Hybrids and electric cars use regenerative braking, which captures the kinetic energy produced by braking and converts it into electricity. This then charges the battery, effectively increasing the car’s fuel efficiency.