2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, adding character to its traditionally conservative styling. While maintaining its recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The interior was thoughtfully arranged, with an Orrefors crystal shifter adding a touch of luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner stayed true to its rugged roots, maintaining its connection to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. This SUV was designed for adventure, with a high ride height, boxy proportions, and a sharply angled front bumper for tackling obstacles. Inside, the 4Runner's design was functional but dated, reflecting its last full redesign in 2009. The dash layout was reminiscent of the late 2000s, and while it wasn't the most spacious, it offered ample storage for gear. The 4Runner's trims ranged from the basic SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro, each offering unique features like the Trail Special Edition's Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket and the TRD Sport's road-oriented touches.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the XC90's power was impressive, the small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90's ride quality was excellent, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and it offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single 4.0-liter V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, was reliable but felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome on paved roads, with noticeable body roll. However, off-road, the 4Runner excelled, with its suspension effortlessly absorbing rough terrain. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which was competitive for its class.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a three-row configuration with either six or seven seats, depending on the choice of second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power moonroof and the XC90's upright roof profile. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was a convenient feature.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row. The three-row model provided slightly less space, with 88.8 cubic feet maximum and 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row. The third row was optional on select trims, increasing seating capacity to seven. While the 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate, it featured a power-open/close rear window for easy access. The cabin wasn't the most spacious, but it offered plenty of storage for gear.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system was easy to use, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that allowed for intuitive swiping. However, the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, surrounded by hard buttons and dials for easy operation. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. While the system wasn't the most advanced, it covered the basics and relied on tactile controls, which were helpful for off-road driving. Navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available as upgrades.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in crash tests and "Superior" ratings for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The 4Runner earned four stars in NHTSA frontal and side-impact testing and three stars in rollover testing.