2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Volvo XC90

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 developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90. The 2022 XC90, launched as a 2016 model, was Volvo's flagship SUV, featuring a sleek, forward-tilted stance, pronounced wheel arches, and a snub nose reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. The interior boasted "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" themes, with natural wood and metal trim, a crystal gear selector handle, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, redesigned for the 2022 model year, carried over with minimal changes except for the new Rock Creek trim. It featured futuristic headlights, an angular C-pillar, and a modern aesthetic that extended into the cabin with clean lines and a sensible layout. The Pathfinder's interior was practical and easy to live with, offering trims like S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum, each adding more features and luxury. The Rock Creek trim stood out with off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and a rugged interior with water-repellent upholstery and orange accents.

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 optional all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were all-wheel drive only. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 had an EV range of up to 36 miles and a combined rating of 66 MPGe.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, with the Rock Creek trim tuned to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. The Rock Creek trim featured off-road shocks and a slightly taller suspension. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, but the new shifter design was less intuitive. The Pathfinder also had a rotary drive mode dial with various settings, including an All-Terrain mode in the Rock Creek trim, and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds for the Rock Creek and certain SV and SL trims.

The 2022 Volvo 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 children but cramped for adults. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of cargo 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 featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well even in high heat and humidity.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat, 45 cubic feet with the second row in use, and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for adults on shorter trips. The optional second-row captain’s chairs made access to the third row easier. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with plenty of cubbies and compartments. The Rock Creek trim included a useful roof rack capable of holding up to 220 pounds, though it could be tricky to clear snow from.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was intuitive but occasionally glitchy. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display were available. The XC90 came with a standard Harman Kardon sound system, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. It included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 9-inch system. The interface was user-friendly but had dated graphics. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Higher trims added features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and additional USB ports.

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, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving assistance. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder included standard driver assistance features like forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, rear parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added features like ProPilot Assist, front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, traffic-sign recognition, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display. The Rock Creek trim offered front- and side-view cameras for off-road driving.