2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Volvo XC60

Volvo made significant yet subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, creating a refined and modern aesthetic. The new front fascia included vertical elements known as “air blades,” which flanked the updated grille, lending the vehicle a slightly sportier appearance. Volvo also introduced a new rear bumper that cleverly concealed the tailpipes and incorporated fresh wheel designs for all models. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for the driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring these technologies remained operational in cold weather conditions. Underpinning the XC60 was Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, shared with models like the XC90, S90, S60, and V90 and V60 Cross Country wagons.

On the inside, the XC60 remained largely unchanged with the introduction of a new digital instrument cluster. The interior design continued to be clean and functional, featuring a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design model sported stylish aluminum mesh speaker grilles and uniquely textured seats, adding a touch of flair to an otherwise subdued interior. Meanwhile, the XC60 Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhancing overall luxury.

When the RAV4 was redesigned in 2019, Toyota introduced a bolder and more angular look. This change marked a departure from its previously softer, traditional crossover styling to a more substantial and blocky design. The trapezoidal grille borrowed from Toyota's truck lineup added visual heft, surrounded by beveled and angled bodywork that framed the headlights. Though most striking immediately after the restyling, this bold design became a common theme as competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 adopted similar approaches.

Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid maintained the angular design language with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise straightforward layout. This interior was characterized by an infotainment touchscreen perched atop the dashboard and an array of physical buttons and knobs for primary control functions.

Material quality in the RAV4 Hybrid was typical for its class and price range, combining hard plastics with lightly padded surfaces. However, entry-level and Woodland trim models compromised with a urethane, rather than leather-wrapped, steering wheel and center armrest, which felt cheap and rubbery to the touch. Thankfully, higher trim levels offered more refined and comfortable materials. Overall, the build quality was strong, with no noticeable creaks or rattles even on rough road surfaces.

For the 2022 model year, the Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. Both models combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter generator, adding a brief burst of 13 horsepower when needed. The B6 also featured an electric supercharger in addition to the turbocharger.

The XC60 B5 produced 258 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the B6 came exclusively with AWD. Although overall output and acceleration times slightly decreased from the previous gasoline-only powertrains, the B6 still achieved 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and the B5 in 6.5 seconds (or 6.6 seconds with FWD).

Behind the wheel, the XC60 B6 R-Design delivered a smooth and composed driving experience. While not the quickest in its class, it excelled in offering a quiet and comfortable ride, further aided by the optional air suspension. The XC60’s performance felt more aimed at providing genuine luxury rather than sporty aggression, a trait not often seen in contemporary luxury crossovers.

Volvo also continued to offer the XC60 plug-in hybrid, boasting a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This variant, augmented by an integrated starter generator and a rear electric motor enabling AWD, delivered 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds according to Volvo. The Polestar Engineered model pushed the output slightly higher, delivering 415 horsepower and 494 pound-feet, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 219 horsepower. This setup, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels, included a second electric motor between the rear axle for AWD functionality. The RAV4 Hybrid accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which was half a second faster than the standard RAV4 but still lagged behind the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, which reached the same speed in an impressive 5.5 seconds.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s braking system operated seamlessly, transitioning between regenerative braking and physical brakes without noticeable shifts. The suspension managed to smooth out moderate road imperfections while providing confident cornering, although it was not designed to offer sporty driving dynamics. Overall, its performance was competent if unremarkable, much like its competitors in the compact hybrid SUV segment.

The 2022 Volvo XC60’s interior dimensions remained unaffected by the latest changes, keeping it competitive in terms of passenger space within its market segment. Front-seat headroom was above average, but rear-seat headroom lagged, tying with the Audi Q5 as the segment’s least spacious for taller passengers. Both front and rear legroom were average for the class.

In terms of cargo capacity, the mild-hybrid models provided 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The plug-in hybrid versions lost a bit of this space, offering 21.1 cubic feet with the seats up and 49.3 cubic feet when folded, making the XC60’s cargo space slightly less than its similarly-sized luxury crossover competitors.

The adequate driver’s seating position in the XC60 provided a commanding view of the road ahead, a key selling point for SUVs. Despite a somewhat tight roofline, rear visibility was maintained, assisted by generous exterior mirrors, reducing reliance on driver-assistance technologies.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample space for front-seat passengers and reasonable comfort for those in the rear. Although it provided slightly more rear headroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, rear legroom was marginally less. The differences were minimal in real-world scenarios, though accommodating a rear-facing infant seat might require adjusting the front seats. Rear seat cushions were somewhat low, potentially compromising thigh support for taller passengers on extended trips.

Cargo capacity was a strong point for the RAV4 Hybrid, boasting up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, just a tenth of a cubic foot less than the non-hybrid RAV4. Unlike some hybrids, the RAV4 did not sacrifice cargo space for its battery pack. By comparison, the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage hybrids offered 39.5 and 39.3 cubic feet, respectively, making the differences marginal. Folding the rear seatbacks yielded a flat cargo floor, though reaching it required some effort for shorter owners.

The RAV4 Hybrid excelled in interior storage solutions, featuring a wide dashboard shelf for the front passenger, a phone tray in front of the center console, and sizable cupholders fit for large beverage containers. The door pockets offered average storage, while the center armrest bin was generously sized.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent a notable tech overhaul, transitioning to an Android Automotive operating system. The interior featured a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, alongside Bluetooth and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Advanced options included a head-up display and premium audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins.

The new operating system integrated Android-specific functionalities such as Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation. Android users could sync their profiles for personalized experiences, and the Google Play Store provided access to third-party apps. The system also supported over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Though compatible with iPhones, the system leaned heavily towards Google applications, which may not be ideal for Apple users. The infotainment redesign allowed sideways swiping for menu access, optimizing screen space. The digital instrument cluster could display maps or switch to a “Calm” mode to reduce distractions.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured an upgraded infotainment system with modernized, sharper touchscreen graphics and logically arranged menus. The screen's placement atop the dashboard minimized distractions while driving. Most trims came with an 8.0-inch display, though higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen. The base model’s small on-screen buttons required precision to use effectively.

Standard across all RAV4 models were wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the wireless charging pad remained optional. The system supported over-the-air updates and offered a Wi-Fi hotspot alongside remote vehicle monitoring and control. Higher trims benefited from a fully digital instrument panel. The base audio system consisted of six speakers, delivering decent clarity and power, while the top Limited trim offered an 11-speaker JBL system for enhanced sound quality.

The IIHS had yet to release crash-test ratings for the 2022 Volvo XC60, but the 2021 model earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating, the organization’s highest. The 2022 model also awaited NHTSA ratings, though the 2021 version received a five-star overall rating, with top marks in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars for rollover protection.

Volvo equipped the XC60 with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including 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 features for 2022 included a Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist, designed to stop the car automatically if the driver became incapacitated.

Pilot Assist, Volvo’s advanced driver-assistance system, bundled adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering into one package. While effective, it was no longer as unique, given that most competitors offered similar technologies.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid boasted stellar safety records, earning five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall and side crash protection, and four stars for frontal and rollover crash tests. The IIHS rated it “Good” in most tests, except for “Acceptable” in moderate overlap frontal and side-impact tests, still awarding it a Top Safety Pick designation.

Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite was standard on all 2023 RAV4 Hybrid models, encompassing forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, while the top Limited trim included front and rear parking proximity sensors and automatic braking when reversing. Optional features included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror, which provided visibility even with a fully loaded cargo area.

In real-world tests, the RAV4’s systems were reliable, with no false alarms. The adaptive cruise control was particularly notable for its smooth operation and gentle stopping capability.