2023 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Volvo XC60

Volvo introduced subtle styling changes for the 2022 XC60 model, focusing on enhancing its sportiness. The new front fascia incorporated "air blades," vertical elements on either side of the grille, providing a slightly sportier appearance. The updated rear bumper hid the tailpipes, and all models received new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for the driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo to ensure functionality even in cold weather.

The XC60 was designed on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, shared with the XC90 and several sedan and wagon models like the S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country.

The interior of the 2022 XC60 remained largely unchanged, retaining its clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and elaborately textured seats, adding a touch of flair. However, some found the interior a bit subdued compared to other Volvo models. Notably, the XC60 Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, adding a touch of luxury.

The 2023 Honda CR-V boasted a new sixth-generation design, featuring a blunt nose, longer hood, and stretched wheelbase for a cleaner and slightly meaner look. It leaned towards a more conservative styling, which was projected to age well compared to its predecessor.

The CR-V EX and EX-L trims came with 18-inch alloy wheels in a multi-spoke design and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, providing a uniform appearance from the outside. Opening the door revealed the differences: the EX-L offered leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob, while the EX had standard cloth upholstery. The dashboard design, modeled after the latest Civic, included metal mesh trim that integrated the air vents and created a line of demarcation between the upper and lower sections of the dashboard.

The interior exuded quality and simplicity, with a digital instrumentation display available in both trims. The EX-L trim stood out with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, additional features, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power rear liftgate. Front and rear parking sensors were also exclusive to the EX-L.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter generator capable of adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 version also featured an electric supercharger in addition to the turbo.

Volvo quoted total-system outputs of 258 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque for the XC60 B5, whereas the B6 version offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B5 was available with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the B6 was AWD only.

While the output was slightly reduced from the 2021 gasoline-only powertrains, the XC60’s acceleration was still commendable. Volvo claimed the XC60 B5 could achieve zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD), while the B6 managed it in 5.9 seconds. The B6 XC60 R-Design felt smooth and responsive, thanks to the mild-hybrid system’s power delivery.

The XC60 excelled in offering a calm, relaxed driving experience. Although it was decently quick and handled corners well, its standout features were its quiet cabin and comfortable ride, which was further enhanced by the optional air suspension. Unlike most luxury automakers, Volvo focused more on true luxury rather than sportiness.

Additionally, Volvo offered an XC60 plug-in hybrid alongside the mild-hybrid powertrains. The XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter engine, an integrated starter generator, and a rear electric motor for AWD, delivering 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, aided by features like Öhlins adjustable dampers, Akebono brakes, and a front strut bar.

The 2023 CR-V EX and EX-L trims retained the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine from the previous generation, producing 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. This engine provided ample power for a compact SUV.

However, the turbo-four engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which tended to draw attention when accelerating hard, such as merging onto freeways, passing slower vehicles, or climbing steep grades. The CVT’s droning sound detracted from the otherwise enjoyable driving experience.

Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling. Honda refined the suspension, steering, and brakes to near perfection, ensuring a smooth and satisfying driving experience. The suspension handled speed bumps and uneven pavement effortlessly, and the CR-V felt agile on highway ramps and mountain curves. Honda's focus on comfort and control was evident, but the CVT noise sometimes undermined the driving pleasure.

Nevertheless, the CVT contributed to the CR-V’s impressive fuel economy. According to the EPA, our test vehicle achieved 29 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 29.1 mpg on our evaluation route.

The 2022 XC60 retained its competitive stance in passenger space, despite the model year changes. Front-seat headroom was above average, although the rear-seat headroom was tied with the Audi Q5 for the lowest in its segment. Legroom in both rows was about average for the segment.

Models with mild-hybrid powertrains offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo space: 21.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with the seats down. Comparatively, the XC60 offered less cargo space than many similarly sized luxury crossovers.

The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with excellent forward visibility. Despite the somewhat pinched roofline, rear visibility remained good, aided by large exterior mirrors, reducing reliance on driver aids.

Honda claimed that the 2023 CR-V was the roomiest version yet, although it didn’t feel that way from the standard 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The seating position was relatively low, giving the CR-V a car-like feel rather than a high-riding SUV. However, outward visibility was excellent, and the redesigned seats provided ample comfort. Heated front seats were standard, but ventilated front or heated rear seats were unavailable.

The second row felt roomier than the first, with a high seating position, thigh support, and ample rear legroom. Taller passengers might find the headroom slightly restricted, but recline adjustments mitigated this issue. The EX-L test vehicle featured air conditioning vents for rear passengers, although USB charging ports were an extra-cost accessory.

The CR-V excelled in storage solutions, with a generous bin under the center armrest, small trays in each door armrest, storage bins in the door panels, and a tray with an available wireless charging pad forward of the shifter. However, most storage areas were lined with hard plastic, potentially causing unwanted noise from stored items.

The CR-V EX-L's cargo area, accessed via the power liftgate, offered 39.3 cubic feet of space with the rear load floor panel in its lowest position. Storage trays on either side of the load floor and grocery bag hooks further enhanced the cargo area’s functionality. Folding the rear seat down expanded the cargo space to 76.5 cubic feet, significantly more than the XC60’s capacity.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent a tech overhaul, retaining a 9-inch touchscreen but switching to the Android Automotive operating system. It featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Optional features included a head-up display and upgraded audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins.

The new Android-based system integrated Google-specific features, with voice control by Google Assistant and navigation by Google Maps. Android users could sync their profiles with the car, and the system supported third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air (OTA) software updates were also enabled.

iPhone users could still use the system, but without the additional functionality of Google profile syncing. The new layout featured sideways swiping to access individual menus, making efficient use of the screen space. The digital instrument cluster displayed a map between the speedometer and tachometer, with a “Calm” setting to minimize distractions.

Every 2023 CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel, complementing the SUV’s straightforward layout and controls. The EX trim paired this with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which included large volume and tuning knobs, clearly marked main function buttons, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The CR-V EX-L offered a larger 9-inch touchscreen with additional features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. For premium features like a Bose sound system, HondaLink subscription services, and a real-time traffic navigation system, buyers needed to opt for the top-of-the-line CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid.

In practice, the EX-L’s technology suite sufficed for most users, with Bluetooth pairing, streaming music, and using favorite navigation apps proving adequate. However, the EX-L’s larger display replaced the tuning knob with less intuitive buttons.

Overall, the new CR-V’s technology represented a significant improvement over the previous generation, but many competitors offered similarly robust features at more accessible prices. Honda’s tech enhancements brought the CR-V up to par but didn’t surpass rivals meaningfully.

While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn’t released crash-test ratings for the 2022 XC60, the 2021 model received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn’t published safety ratings for the 2022 model either, but the 2021 version achieved a five-star overall rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests.

Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New for 2022 were a Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist, which could stop the car if the driver was incapacitated.

Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system, combining adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering, was available as an option. Although effective, the system no longer stood out as other automakers had developed similar technologies.

The 2023 Honda CR-V saw substantial improvements in driver-assist systems under the Honda Sensing umbrella. This package included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard, with new features like seatbelt reminders, rear-seat reminders, a driver monitoring system, and traffic sign recognition.

Enhanced camera and radar units contributed to more accurate and refined operation. The new Traffic Jam Assist system combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist for low-speed driving assistance.

While effective, the new tech exhibited occasional uncertainties, particularly on exit ramps or when highways changed lane configurations. Moreover, the lane-centering assist added an artificial feel to the CR-V’s steering, somewhat reducing the driving enjoyment.

Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure aimed to deflect collision energy away from the passenger compartment, complemented by new front airbag designs to enhance crash protection. Although the 2023 CR-V’s crashworthiness awaited testing by NHTSA and IIHS, Honda anticipated excellent results based on its design.