2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, and a more aggressive chin spoiler, all complemented by bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo elements. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, emphasizing Volvo's commitment to subtlety and craftsmanship.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, while not as dramatic as some of its siblings, still made a statement with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along the side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the Lexus-like taillights added to its appeal. The Highlander XSE trim introduced a sportier look with a restyled front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, and a larger lower air intake. The Limited trim, with chrome roof rails and accents, exuded an upscale feel, especially with its near-flawless interior fit and finish.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for such a heavy vehicle. The T6, with a supercharger added, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, making it more suitable for the XC90's size. The Polestar tune further boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's performance was not without flaws; it lagged in Comfort mode and revved too high in the Polestar Engineered model. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque but had limited electric range and added weight, which negated its speed advantage.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided smooth and predictable operation, making it suitable for family use. While not designed for drag races, the Highlander offered adequate performance for merging onto highways and keeping up with traffic. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained a comfortable and reliable family vehicle. Fuel economy was competitive, and the Highlander Hybrid model provided an alternative for those seeking better efficiency.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous versions, though it relied heavily on the touchscreen for climate controls. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children. The six-seat configuration was available on certain trims, offering generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows. The third row was tight, suitable only for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available with the last two rows folded.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. Shelves ahead of the front seats provided convenient storage for large cell phones, and a wireless charging pad was standard on higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed plenty of legroom, with seats that moved forward and backward to optimize space. The third row could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The four-zone climate control and the Bowers & Wilkins stereo system were highlights, with the latter offering 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-resolution and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could display the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, though the navigation system struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The JBL audio system sounded good but was not overly impressive. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp but limited certain apps to an 8-inch rectangle.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety scores from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and advanced airbag systems.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander upgraded its safety suite to Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. Other standard features were road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.