2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Volvo XC60 underwent some subtle style updates. A new front fascia with “air blades” beside the grille imparted a sportier look. The rear bumper was redesigned to hide the tailpipes, and all models received new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to integrate driver-assist system sensors behind a heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC60 shared this with other models like the XC90, S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country.

Inside, the XC60 largely retained its clean design, highlighted by a new digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design trim featured aluminum mesh speaker grilles and intricately textured seats, offering a touch of flair. However, the overall interior felt subdued compared to other Volvo models. The Inscription trim level upped the luxury with Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 adhered closely to its 2019 design for most trims, while the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims showcased distinct two-part faces. The Adventure trim we tested featured a more aggressively styled grille with a repositioned Toyota badge and blacked-out wheels, adding faux skid plates and pronounced black cladding for a rugged yet urban look. Despite these appearances, the Adventure trim lacked off-road competence compared to the TRD Off-Road variant.

Inside, the Adventure trim introduced orange accents, with contrast-stitched seats and orange plastic borders enhancing the basic center console. High-end touches included a frameless rearview mirror, but the interior remained relatively pedestrian. LE and XLE trims came with fabric seats, while XLE Premium upgraded to synthetic leather upholstery. Premium features like heated and ventilated seats were available in higher trims. The RAV4 offered dual-zone climate control on all but the base trim, ensuring comfort across the lineup.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, capable of adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 variant also featured an electric supercharger. The B5 delivered 258 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 produced 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B5 came with standard FWD or optional AWD, whereas the B6 was AWD only.

Performance figures showed the XC60 B5 reaching 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds (6.6 seconds with FWD) and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. While the hybrids reduced pure engine performance compared to 2021, the B6 still felt smooth and sufficiently quick. The XC60 excelled in offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, particularly with the optional air suspension, prioritizing luxury over sporty driving dynamics.

Volvo also offered a plug-in hybrid version, the XC60 Recharge, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged engine, integrated starter generator, and rear electric motor. This powertrain delivered 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The high-performance Polestar Engineered plug-in hybrid variant raised power output to 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft, hitting 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and featuring enhanced handling components like Öhlins adjustable dampers and Akebono brakes.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a single 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly exciting, this setup provided “unobjectionable” performance and a somewhat noisy experience. AWD was standard on Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims and optional for others, adding a Snow Mode.

The Adventure trim featured 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and standard front and rear independent suspensions, while the TRD Off-Road boasted 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension for better off-road capability. Therefore, the RAV4 Adventure offered a rugged look but lacked the off-road performance found in the TRD Off-Road.

The interior dimensions of the 2022 Volvo XC60 remained competitive in its segment. Front-seat headroom was above average, though rear-seat headroom matched the lowest in the class with the Audi Q5. Legroom was average in both rows, ensuring adequate comfort for passengers. The mild-hybrid XC60 models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them down. The plug-in hybrid models slightly reduced cargo capacity to 21.1 and 49.3 cubic feet respectively, making the XC60 less spacious than many rivals. Nonetheless, it provided a commanding driving position and good visibility.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five passengers, offering 37.7 inches of front headroom (with the moonroof) and 39.5 inches of rear headroom. Its front legroom was 41 inches, while the back provided 37.8 inches. Although front legroom was competitive, rear legroom and width fell short compared to the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. However, the RAV4 excelled in front passenger storage with a useful shelf and large door pockets. The side-by-side front cupholders and lever-style gear shifter enhanced convenience.

Cargo-wise, the 2023 RAV4 offered 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with rear seats folded. This placed it mid-pack, outperforming the Mazda CX-5 but trailing the spacious Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 featured a 9-inch touchscreen now running the Android Automotive operating system, alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a head-up display and premium audio systems by Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. Android integration was seamless with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Volvo ensured iPhone compatibility, though the experience skewed towards Android users. The system's graphics were crisp, and the interface used a straightforward swipe-based navigation method.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 received a much-needed infotainment upgrade. The base model featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while higher trims, including the Adventure we tested, got a 10.5-inch touchscreen. The new system supported OTA updates and came with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our Adventure trim also had an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system as part of a $3,490 upgrade package. Additionally, the RAV4 included a 7-inch driver-information display, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim and optionally on the TRD Off-Road.

For the 2022 Volvo XC60, the safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA had not yet been released, but the similar 2021 model achieved the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating and a five-star overall rating. Standard safety technologies included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, driver-attention monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Additionally, Volvo's Pilot Assist system offered semi-autonomous driving assistance through adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, surpassing the previous TSS 2.0. Standard features included lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also included. The RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, demonstrating its strong safety credentials.