2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the same design as the previous year, featuring "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. It had sophisticated LED fog lights and a unique rear bumper. Inside, it showcased different trim and unique instrumentation to display battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Touring trim, which was tested, included features like larger 19-inch wheels, navigation, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The test vehicle, priced at $37,920, had a luxurious interior with ivory leather and a two-tone contrast, though the fake wood trim was a downside.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 had a sleek and athletic design, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. The LED headlights, known as "Thor's Hammer," added a touch of Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 featured a "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" design with natural wood and metal trim. The test vehicle had leather seats, which were comfortable during a week of high temperatures and humidity. The XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. The interior was spacious, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during the test drive, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It had three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—and three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid had a slightly better weight distribution and retained the standard CR-V AWD model's 8.2 inches of ground clearance. It offered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, though it fell short of its EPA rating of 38 mpg, achieving only 33.7 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options. The T5 model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the engine, producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 model combined a supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The T8 had an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined and a 66 MPGe rating with a 36-mile EV range. The XC90 provided a superb driving experience, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered comfortable and supportive front seats with 12-way power adjustment and heated front seats. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, with good leg support and air conditioning vents. The CR-V Hybrid had impressive interior storage, though the wireless smartphone charger took up significant space on the center console. It had 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and a maximum of 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the standard CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for children but lacked legroom for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The XC90 had ample interior storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious cabin with a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during the test drive, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a seven-inch touchscreen with a power/volume knob. It lacked a tuning knob and had slow startup times. The voice-recognition technology was limited, and the navigation map display was cluttered. The CR-V Hybrid offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual 2.5-amp quick-charging ports for the rear seat, and a nine-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trim included wireless smartphone charging, though it took up significant space on the center console.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally slow to respond. The XC90 had a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with the $1,650 Advanced package. The package also included a 360-degree surround view camera system and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. It had two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app with remote vehicle controls.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 had a long list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.