2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Lexus GX

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars 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, a clear crystal gear selector handle, and an option for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, had a commanding visual presence. The front end looked ready to dominate the road, framed by massive headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units in three paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's dimensions seemed to shrink when viewed from the side, with a short wheelbase and minimal overhangs, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The interior, however, was marred by a disappointing amount of plastic, though it still featured luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

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 combining a supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. The T5 models were front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were all-wheel drive only. The T8 had an extended-range variant with 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 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't win many battles on paper, the V8's linear power delivery and satisfying sound were highlights. The GX had a 6,500-pound towing capacity but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but the roll was predictable and controllable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and standard four-wheel drive system made it user-friendly in various driving conditions.

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 offered 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 interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even in high temperatures and humidity.

The 2023 Lexus GX had plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin, a handy space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. The GX retained physical controls, which were a blessing for those put off by touchscreens, though the abundance of hard buttons required some getting used to. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms for adjustable armrests, and the second row was comfortable with good legroom and excellent headroom. The third row was too tight for regular use, even for children. The GX offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. The side-hinged trunk door was not power-operated and required some muscle to open.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, the system was glitchy and slow to respond, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The XC90 had a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a 10.3-inch touchscreen, an improvement over the old system, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integrations. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo, and a CD player. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in competing models. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, a two-speed transfer case, low range, a locking center differential, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). The Off-Road Package added a multi-terrain monitor, transmission cooler, fuel-tank protection, crawl control, and a multi-terrain select system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, with features like 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. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older body structure, the GX's safety features were significantly newer.