2022 Ford Explorer vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Ford Explorer came with a variety of trim options, ranging in price from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding the $1,495 destination charge. This broad lineup included the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, as well as the new ST-Line aimed at a sportier aesthetic. Our test model was the swanky King Ranch with a 4WD, Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing the MSRP up to $59,880, destination charge included.

Visually, the King Ranch did sport some unique elements like exclusive emblems, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. However, these touches were not enough to make it stand out drastically from the other trims. The Explorer’s rear-drive platform allowed designers to craft a silhouette with a long and tall hood, short front overhang, and tapering greenhouse, giving it an overall athletic appearance. The blacked-out roof pillars created a “floating roof” effect, which carried over from the previous generation.

Inside, the King Ranch trim featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts. The interior was decorated with King Ranch branding and used a combination of chocolate brown over caramel leather. While the cabin had touches of premium materials befitting its price, it sometimes showcased questionable materials that detracted from its nearly $60,000 price point.

The 2023 Volvo XC90, a far cry from the boxy Volvos of yesteryear, displayed a purposeful yet unassuming aesthetic. The front end appeared solid but not boastful, complemented by an assertive grille that wasn’t overly flashy. The iconic “Thor’s Hammer” headlight design lent a modern flair to the exterior. Despite its mostly rectilinear shape, no one would mistake it for an old-school Volvo.

Our test version, the AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion tires, adding drama to the otherwise stoic XC90. The Platinum Gray paint had intriguing brown undertones that were noticeable in direct sunlight, adding richness and depth to the color. The interior of the XC90 was characterized by its elegance and minimalism. The steering wheel, covered in two-tone leather, looked stunning, and the blend of high-quality materials throughout was delightful. Luxurious touches included Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and Nappa leather upholstery in tasteful “charcoal” or “blond.”

The XC90’s interior also featured wood deco inlays that added a touch of nature and elegance. Despite its beauty, the absence of numerous physical controls gave it a minimalist feel, which some users might need time to get accustomed to.

Ford's 2022 Explorer offered three different powertrains. The base through Timberline trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, putting out 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It could come with RWD or 4WD, achieving up to 24 mpg in combined driving and towing up to 5,300 pounds.

There was also a hybrid drivetrain for the Limited trim, which could reduce the price of the Platinum by $1,400. Featuring a 3.3-liter V6 engine, it produced a combined 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, towed up to 5,000 pounds, and posted a combined driving figure of 27 mpg.

The most powerful option was the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, standard on the ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims. It generated 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with a 10-speed automatic and the choice between RWD or 4WD, allowing it to tow up to 5,600 pounds. Our King Ranch 4WD test vehicle had an official rating of 20 mpg, and our testing loop resulted in an average of 20.6 mpg. The V6 engine delivered plenty of power, satisfying acceleration, and a robust exhaust note, though at the expense of fuel efficiency.

The Explorer King Ranch rode more like a traditional SUV, offering a stable and robust sensation even over rough terrains. With 7.9 inches of ground clearance, it was competent off-road. Models like the Timberline offered even more capability with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. On daily drives, the Explorer felt athletic and engaging, especially when cornering. For those who loved spirited driving, the sport-tuned Explorer ST offered additional performance features.

For 2023, Volvo revamped the XC90’s powertrain lineup, replacing the older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder T5 and its turbocharged-and-supercharged T6 versions with the mild-hybrid B5 and B6 engines. The new setups offered better fuel efficiency and smoother operation, though the gains were modest. Our test vehicle featured the B6 powertrain, which included a supercharger and a turbo with mild-hybrid technology, generating 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Volvo's mild-hybrid technology didn’t involve driving on electricity alone. Instead, a lithium-ion battery powered a 13-volt starter generator, alleviating some engine stress by handling functions like climate control and ignition. This setup enabled the XC90's auto stop-start technology to operate almost imperceptibly.

The 2023 XC90 offered a refined and enjoyable driving experience. Its 21-inch wheels and low-profile tires minimized body roll through corners despite its considerable 70-inch height. It accelerated quickly, and the eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth and reliable. The XC90’s insulation kept road and wind noise at bay, enhancing comfort. Its brakes provided strong, confidence-inspiring performance.

The XC90 didn’t emphasize off-road capabilities. Some retained simplicity, featuring fewer drive modes and technologies than other SUVs. Our test vehicle tackled a New Hampshire snowstorm with competence, though dedicated winter tires would have boosted confidence.

For a family of four, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered ample comfort. Its second-row bench seat could occasionally accommodate five people, though the third-row seat was mainly useful for children due to the rear-drive platform, low roofline, and tapered tail. Our King Ranch model had all the bells and whistles, including triple-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Massaging front seats were also standard.

The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, ideal for long-distance drives, and the second row provided nearly as much comfort. Third-row access was challenging, and its low, flat cushion lacked legroom, making it unsuitable for adults. The cabin offered limited storage space for smaller items, missing opportunities for additional compartments. Practical features included built-in cupholders in the rear doors and shallow tray cupholders between captain’s chairs, though more practical storage solutions were needed.

Cargo capacity in the Explorer was competitive, with 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row down, and a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC90’s interior boasted a pleasant, peaceful ambiance typical of Scandinavian minimalism. However, cubby space for smaller items was lacking. Volvo didn’t provide a dedicated space for cell phones, and the small cubby ahead of the cupholders was not suitably sized for one. The USB port for phone charging resided in the smaller center console bin, posing an inconvenience.

The XC90’s second row was comfortable and spacious, though adjusting the seats was challenging. Standard was a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with the option to replace it with captain’s chairs for $500, requiring an upgrade to the B6 engine. Accessing the third row with a three-seat second row was nearly impossible, and though it provided some space, it wasn’t easy to exit.

With the third-row seats up, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing out at only 65.5 cubic feet with all seats down. This was less than the Explorer, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

Ford’s 2022 Explorer came with the Sync 3 infotainment system in two versions: an 8-inch touchscreen or a 10.1-inch portrait-style one. The smaller display integrated well with the interior design, whereas the larger one appeared tacked on. Our King Ranch test vehicle featured FordPass Connect services, remote engine start, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a navigation system. Additional features included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system. However, the Sync 3 system showed its age, particularly in voice recognition and command operations. Next-generation Sync 4 technology would be a significant improvement.

Volvo’s 2023 XC90 featured a 9-inch vertical touchscreen running Google OS as standard. Integrating aspects of Android Auto, the system included Google Maps, which displayed on the 12.3-inch driver information display, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. Natural-language recognition, courtesy of Google, greatly enhanced the user experience. Owners could issue commands to their car via Google Home devices, adding convenience.

While Google OS was slick and well-integrated, too many functions were relegated to the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. A balance of physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated to manage comfort features like heated steering wheels and seat adjustments.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for every version, though NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022. The previous year, it had received five-star ratings except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Explorer was equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. Additional safety features included a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions. Overall, these systems worked well, offering smooth and accurate operation, though steering wheel sensitivity could be improved.

Volvo’s 2023 XC90, a manufacturer with a history of prioritizing safety, carried a five-star rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS. The 2023 XC90 included a robust list of advanced driver safety features. Adaptive cruise control worked well even in heavy traffic, and lane-keeping assist provided gentle corrections and vibration alerts. Pilot Assist technology combined these features to help maintain distance and follow the vehicle ahead from a standstill to highway speed, and these safety technologies were standard on all XC90 models.