2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler had a rugged, no-nonsense design that was reminiscent of driving a brick. The fourth-generation JL Wrangler featured a boxy aesthetic with minimal curves, available in both two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The doors could be removed for an open-air experience, and the optional Dual-Door Group provided half doors for better visibility. The windshield folded down, and various top options allowed for open-air exploring. The Wrangler's wide fenders, iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches added to its rugged charm. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The limited-edition Reign purple paint color added a unique flair, while the new Earl color offered a subtle gray shade with aquamarine highlights. Inside, the Wrangler featured easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was available in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 model series, each with standard all-wheel drive. The XC90 B5 had a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 added a supercharger for extra performance. The Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid with a 32-mile electric-only range. The XC90 came in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $56,000 to $79,600, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The Recharge T8 Ultimate trim featured massaging front seats, a premium headliner, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch with a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The exterior paint palette was subdued and earthy, with various wheel designs up to 21 inches. The interior design, though dated, was fitted with rich materials like wool-blend upholstery, ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim. Volvo offered extensive customization options for paint, wheels, and upholstery.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance with its solid axles and optional differential lockers. It offered a variety of engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Both engines could be paired with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 provided 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, while the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-liter V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 21 miles of electric-only range. The Rubicon 392, with its 470 horsepower, could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and featured a crawl ratio of 58:1 with the Xtreme Recon package. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less impressive, with vague steering and inadequate braking power. Other Wrangler models had better-suited brakes and more precise steering.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The battery offered 32 miles of electric-only driving, and the SUV averaged 27 mpg in hybrid mode. In Power mode, the XC90 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Recharging took about 12 hours with a standard outlet or less than six hours with a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. During testing, the XC90 provided 28 miles of electric range in Pure mode and 24.5 mpg in hybrid mode. The SUV's electric performance waned as the battery approached its minimum state of charge. The XC90 offered plenty of power and a good-sounding powertrain but lacked thrilling handling. The ride quality was firm, and the cabin allowed more noise and vibration than expected for a luxury SUV.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but heated seats were only available with the 392 or a cold-weather package. Ventilated seats were not offered. The rear seat could fit three in the four-door models, but space was tight, and the rear doors were small. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash, tiny glove box, and center console. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or in two front panels, and the Sunrider option provided a half soft top. The soft top was easy to remove, but the plastic rear window could be cumbersome. The Sky One-Touch power soft top was the easiest option, sliding back in 17 seconds and allowing operation at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler had ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in Core trim, was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system with PM2.5 air purification. A panoramic glass roof with a one-touch swipe control added natural light. Higher trims offered a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, upgraded interior lighting, an integrated booster child seat, and rear door sunshades. The front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, but their winged shape could catch on clothing. The XC90 seated seven or six with second-row captain's chairs. The third-row seat was tight for adults but more accommodating than expected. Interior storage was adequate, and the XC90 offered up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third-row seat folded and 85.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat down.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system, while our tester had the larger 8.4-inch screen. The system had no hard buttons, relying entirely on the touchscreen. Uconnect initially appeared complicated but was intuitive once familiar. The off-road pages provided information on power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The Wrangler had a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories. However, it lacked a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, including Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. These features were free for four years, after which a subscription was required. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The XC90 offered a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with various modes. The 9-inch touchscreen was small but user-friendly, and the cabin included a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The digital voice assistant, Google Assistant, was generally effective but sometimes required different prompts. The XC90 also had a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. Lane-keeping assist was not available. The Wrangler's safety features could be customized, and the IIHS gave it mixed ratings, with some trims receiving a Poor rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover ratings, with no side crash rating.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in all assessments except rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named the XC90 a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. However, the XC90's advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were not as innovative as some rivals. The SUV included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. During testing, Pilot Assist struggled with curves, rural roads, and lane markings but generally worked smoothly. However, it made a significant error when exiting a freeway, shaking confidence in the technology.