2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and the third-row window's upward kick gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension.

The Highlander came in several trims: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. The base L trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, proximity/remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added features like LED fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power moonroof. The top-tier Limited and Platinum trims offered high-output LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, genuine leather upholstery, and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's older, boxy designs. Its purposeful yet understated front end, assertive grille, and modern "Thor’s Hammer" headlights gave it a contemporary look. The XC90's dimensions and shape remained somewhat rectilinear but far from the toaster-like designs of the past. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth to its appearance.

Inside, the XC90's design was elegant and minimalist, with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The interior featured wood deco inlays and a clean, button-light design, contributing to a serene and sophisticated atmosphere. However, the minimalist approach led to some frustrations with limited cubby space and the reliance on the touchscreen interface for many functions.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The transmission featured a tap-shift function and certain trims included steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Highlander also offered drive modes such as Sport, Normal, and Eco, along with AWD modes like Mud/Sand and Rock.

The V6 engine provided better pickup once the Highlander was moving, with ample power for highway overtakes and a throaty exhaust note. The XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reduced body roll while maintaining a comfortable ride. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds and had a max payload of 1,685 pounds in the FWD L and LE trims.

For 2023, Volvo replaced the older turbocharged 2.0-liter engines in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 engine, with both a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency slightly and provided smoother operation. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the vehicle handled corners with minimal body roll despite its size. The XC90's brakes were solid and confidence-inspiring, and the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable but reserved, with limited customizable driving dynamics.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, there was 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and with all seats deployed, 16 cubic feet behind the third row. The seats were easy to lower and lift, and trims above the base L included a power liftgate, with Limited and Platinum trims featuring a hands-free power liftgate.

The Highlander's interior was practical, with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, deep front door pockets, and various storage compartments. The XSE trim's second-row captain’s chairs provided a center aisle to the third row, which was spacious for adults in the second row but less so in the third row.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but the minimalist design led to limited cubby space. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port for phone charging was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with an option for captain’s chairs at an additional cost.

The third row was difficult to access and offered limited space. With the third seat in position, the XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This cargo space was less than some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system had a straightforward layout with hard buttons for easy use. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument panel screen, and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, with built-in Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. The natural-language recognition of Google Assistant enhanced the user experience, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions led to some frustration, and more physical buttons would have been appreciated.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking monitor, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were very active, sometimes too much so.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and supported lane-keeping from a standstill to highway speeds. These safety features were standard on the XC90.