2022 Toyota Venza vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Toyota Venza made a comeback after its previous iteration faded away in 2015. Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, the Venza shared its foundation with several other successful Toyota and Lexus models. Measuring 186.6 inches in length, 73.0 inches in width, and 65.9 inches in height, the Venza was on the smaller side of the midsize crossover SUV segment. Its design featured a modern exterior with a deeply scalloped body side and a prominent nose, making it more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials, a layered dash, and a well-placed touchscreen display. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, while the rear seats could easily accommodate three adults.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased how far Volvo had come from its boxy designs of the past. The XC90 had a purposeful yet understated front end, with an assertive grille and the recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding a touch of richness. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design included wood deco inlays and a clean look with few physical controls, creating a serene and sophisticated cabin environment.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance. Drivers could choose from electric-only (EV) mode for short distances or select Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, while the main charge came from the gas engine. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, making it a suitable midsize family hauler with a comfortable ride.

For the 2023 model year, Volvo introduced the B5 and B6 engines in the XC90, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. Both new powertrains were anchored by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine, which included a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness but did not provide electric-only propulsion. The XC90 offered a refined driving experience with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent insulation from road and wind noise. The brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel, and the XC90 handled well despite its bulky dimensions.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with comfortable bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat. Both rows provided good headroom and legroom, with the second row offering 45.2 inches of hip room. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Toyota also focused on making the cabin quiet with extensive sound-blocking and absorbing materials.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, but the minimalist design led to some storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for phone charging was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable 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 the third row in place, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. While the XC90 drove like a smaller car, it fell short in cargo space compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention from drivers. The Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program used navigation data to optimize battery charging. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, while the Limited added a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Both setups included Toyota Connected Services, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa capability. An Advanced Technology Package for the Limited trim included a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display ran on Google OS, integrating Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. The system offered natural-language recognition and could be controlled via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to some frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, which could be inconvenient for adjusting certain features. Despite this, the Google OS provided a smart and intuitive user experience.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, and LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) group of driver aids included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The XC90 featured adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and provided gentle steering assistance. These safety features were standard on the 2023 XC90, making it a compelling choice for safety-conscious buyers.