Volvo XC90 vs Acura MDX Sport Hybrid

When the current-generation XC90 went on sale nearly a decade ago, it marked the Swedish automaker’s pivot from its boxy and boring past to a future defined by design, quality, and technology. Volvo used the XC90’s blueprint throughout its lineup of cars, SUVs, and wagons, building a bridge to its electrified future. Has it overstayed its welcome? Perhaps, and it carries over this year without changes. But having spent a week driving the 2024 XC90 Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid, it remains an appealing choice in the luxury SUV segment.

Verdict: Beautifully styled, inside and out, and offering a range of powertrains that includes a plug-in hybrid variant, the 2024 Volvo XC90 stands out in its field. However, it commands a steep price tag, and its safety tech isn’t as innovative as what you’ll find in some rival SUVs.

When I talk to folks about cars and mention certain hybrids, some become disappointed. That’s a dated way of thinking. Sure, if you are a performance enthusiast, the sight of a Toyota Prius does nothing to stir your passion. But there are a growing number of vehicles with hybrid drivetrains that provide solid performance as well as a few extra MPGs.

The 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid is one such vehicle. It takes a drivetrain inspired by the Acura NSX hybrid supercar and brings it to a large, three-row SUV that also happens to have sporty driving dynamics. What should stand out to any high-power hybrid skeptic is that the Sport Hybrid is the range-topping version of the 2017 MDX.