2023 BMW X1 vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms from scratch, leading to today's lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose recalled the classic 245 wagon's upright grille. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered a leather-free option with "tailored wool blend" upholstery, though our test car came with Nappa leather seats, which proved comfortable during a week of high temperatures and humidity.

The 2023 X1 felt like an evolution rather than a revolution from its predecessor. It retained the recognizable X1 look but with a stronger and more refined appearance. The larger, squarer kidney grille signaled the new X1's readiness for more robust air intake. The door handles were flush with the sides, and standard LED headlights and taillights added a modern touch. The 2023 X1 offered a dynamic palette of 13 exterior colors, including five new options. Our tester, painted in Portimao Blue, featured optional 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires, available with the xLine design or the M Sport Package.

Inside, the X1's cabin felt premium, dominated by the large glass panel of the BMW Curved Display and long, narrow vents. Physical controls were clustered at the front of the armrest, creating a clean, uncluttered look. The SensaTec 2.0 seat coverings, available in four colors, felt nice and did not make us miss real leather. Our tester had the M Sport Package, which added sport seats and an M leather steering wheel with paddle shifters. The Premium Package included a panoramic moonroof, enhancing the sense of space in the smaller X1.

The 2022 XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of that engine, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with a combined gasoline and electric powertrain. The T5 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 combined for 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90's fuel economy varied by model: T5 FWD achieved 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, T5 AWD 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined, and T6 AWD 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range, while the extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging the battery took about five hours at 240 volts. The XC90 handled superbly, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 X1 received a power boost with its 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder engine, now producing 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, up 13 hp and 37 lb-ft from the previous model. This allowed the X1 to accelerate from zero to 60 in 6.2 seconds and tow up to 3,500 pounds. The new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) replaced the eight-speed automatic, providing a more engaged driving experience with paddle shifters in the M Sport Package.

BMW upgraded the Adaptive M Suspension and damping systems for better comfort and stability. The X1 exhibited minimal body roll and felt agile, though the ride was a bit stiff. Visibility was good, with a narrow rear window fitting neatly within the rearview mirror's field of vision. The 2023 X1's EPA fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined, with Premium fuel recommended.

The 2022 XC90 offered 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 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 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 featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a spacious cabin enhanced by a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, cooling the cabin rapidly and effectively.

The 2023 X1's larger dimensions resulted in more interior space, with impressive headroom of 42.1 inches in the front row and 39.3 inches in the rear. Front-row legroom was 40.4 inches, while the back row offered 37 inches. Cargo space was 25.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57.2 cubic feet with them folded down. Heated seats were an optional $550 upgrade, which also included a heated steering wheel.

Our tester had the wireless charging pad as part of the Premium Package, which held the phone securely even on twisty roads. The X1's interior felt spacious and well-designed, with thoughtful features like the slim floating center armrest providing additional storage.

The 2022 XC90 featured Volvo's Sensus infotainment system, which offered tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. The nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen was positioned close to the driver's line of sight, minimizing distraction. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided easy customization and crisp graphics. 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 an optional $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade for audiophiles. The vehicle included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app with remote vehicle controls.

The 2023 X1 introduced the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8, integrating a 10.7-inch infotainment screen and a 10.25-inch driver information display. The system was responsive and easy to operate, though cluttered with apps and sub-menus. Voice commands worked well for climate control and the panoramic moonroof, but the navigation system required specific inputs. The touchscreen functioned smoothly, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included.

BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus was standard, with Live Cockpit Professional available in the Premium Package, adding a head-up display and augmented reality navigation. The X1 had four USB-C ports and an optional 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The vehicle was operated using a start/stop button and a new toggle-style gear selector, with automatic parking brake activation on slopes.

The 2022 XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, featuring 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 for highway driving with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2023 X1 included standard active blind-spot detection with exit warning, front-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and brake intervention. The new Active Driving Assistant Professional suite offered speed limit assist, extended traffic-jam assistant, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop & go. A 360-degree camera system was available in the Premium Package, along with Active Park Distance Control and Back-Up Assistant. The updated Parking Assistant Plus used the curb and other vehicles as reference points for parking assistance.