2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from its predecessor, the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, characterized by the Parametric Pixel theme, which incorporated numerous LED lights and pixelated elements. The interior, in contrast, was serene and spacious, with a "Living Space" design that emphasized comfort and sustainability, using recycled materials and offering features like a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver's seat.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased Volvo's evolution from boxy designs to a more refined and purposeful aesthetic. Its front end was solid yet understated, with the iconic "Thor’s Hammer" headlights adding a modern touch. The interior was elegant, featuring luxurious materials like Nappa leather and wood inlays, and a minimalist design that emphasized clean lines and high-quality finishes. However, the Scandinavian minimalism sometimes led to practical frustrations, such as limited cubby space and challenging access to the third row.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations. The base SE Standard Range model featured a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range models, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor delivering 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD variants combined a 74-kW front motor and a 165-kW rear motor for a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking. It was quiet and composed, thanks to features that reduced noise, vibration, and harshness.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 engine, featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger, delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency slightly and provided smoother operation. The XC90 offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with good acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Its brakes were solid, and the vehicle handled well despite its size, though it lacked extensive off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximized interior space with a long wheelbase of 118.1 inches. It offered a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with 106.5 cubic feet dedicated to passenger space. The Ioniq 5's interior was comfortable and practical, featuring a moveable center console and supportive leatherette seats. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, it provided ample room for passengers, though cargo space was slightly limited at 27.2 cubic feet.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had some practical limitations. The front seats were comfortable, but storage space for small items was limited. The second row was spacious but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. This was less than some competitors, but the XC90's smaller size contributed to its agile handling.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5 also had a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and easy to read, even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech was centered around a 9-inch touchscreen running Google OS, the first of its kind. It integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. However, many functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, which could be frustrating. The 12.3-inch driver information display also featured Google Maps, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, though official ratings were not yet available.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. It came standard with advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which helped maintain distance and lane position. These features made the XC90 a compelling choice for safety-conscious buyers.