2022 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past, maintaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the brand underwent a significant transformation, developing new vehicle platforms from scratch. The 2022 XC90, launched as a 2016 model, was the company's flagship SUV, riding on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. It had a sleek, athletic profile with pronounced wheel arches and a snub nose, reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, with exquisite details like a sliding wood tambor cover and a clear crystal gear selector handle.

Toyota had reintroduced the Venza for the 2021 model year, riding on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, shared with several other Toyota and Lexus models. The 2022 Venza had excellent proportions and a modern exterior design, with a deeply scalloped body side and a prominent tailgate bisected by LED lighting. Inside, the Venza had an elegant, Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and a layered dash. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, while the rear seats could accommodate three adults easily.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with available all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 had an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range, while the extended range variant had a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The Venza balanced electric and gas drive for optimum efficiency and performance, with drivers able to select among Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, while the main charge came from the motor-generator driven by the gas engine. The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, feeling maneuverable like the Camry, with a taller body and higher ground clearance that didn't encourage aggressive cornering. It was a midsize family hauler that delivered the ride and performance it promised.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 could carry up to 15.9 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage space and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even during a heat wave with high humidity.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, adequate for three adults. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim level. The Venza had numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, electric parking brake, sliding sun visors, and a large glove compartment. The cabin had four cupholders and four bottle holders, with each door able to hold a 24-ounce bottle. The Venza's lithium-ion battery pack was located beneath the second-row seats, with little impact on cargo capacity. It could hold up to 28.8 cubic feet of luggage behind the second row and up to 55.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The Venza's cabin was quiet and serene, thanks to extensive sound-blocking and absorbing insulation.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch diagonal, portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was sometimes glitchy and slow to respond. It worked better with Apple CarPlay, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy configuration and customization. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The XC90 had two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app with remote lock/unlock function.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention and eliminated the need for charging infrastructure. The Venza's Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program used the navigation system to analyze drivers' habits and optimize battery charging. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa capability, Bluetooth, and six speakers. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and intelligent touch-capacitive controls. Both multimedia setups included Toyota Connected Services, with Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect. The Advanced Technology Package for the Limited trim included a head-up display, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane with minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Venza included the Toyota Star Safety System with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for every seating position, 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 IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.