2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored a classic Land Rover look over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail that defined its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel mounted on the hatch, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering unmatched versatility in seating configurations, from five to eight passengers. However, its interior, while functional and durable, lacked the opulence of its Range Rover counterparts, with a focus on practicality over luxury.

In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 exuded a sense of understated luxury with its subdued and earthy exterior paint palette, aligning with its focus on practicality, safety, and sustainability. The XC90 was available in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 model series, with the Recharge T8 offering the most performance and efficiency. The interior, though dated, was fitted with rich materials, especially in the Ultimate trim, featuring wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim. Volvo's attention to detail in color and materials allowed for a personalized touch, with options to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery. The XC90's interior design, while not as modern as some rivals, provided a comfortable and commanding driving position with good sightlines, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a beast off-road, with its incredible grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any terrain, though most owners likely didn't push it to its limits. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with noticeable body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. The V8 engine, with 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, provided thrilling acceleration, but the Defender's top-heavy design made it feel unwieldy. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, delivering a balance of performance and efficiency. However, the four-cylinder engine, with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft, felt underpowered for highway driving. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning a poor 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder offered a more reasonable 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed for 32 miles of electric-only driving and an estimated 27 mpg in hybrid mode. The XC90's performance was lively, with a five-second sprint to 60 mph in Power mode, but it was not a performance SUV. The ride quality was firm, and the handling was not particularly thrilling, though the grip from the Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires was impressive. The XC90's adaptive air suspension provided up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance in Off-Road mode, but the ride felt overly firm on irregular pavement. The SUV's aging architecture allowed more cabin noise than expected, and the steering lacked sharpness and communication.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in versatility, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 offered optional third rows for up to eight passengers. The 130's third row was particularly accommodating, with a separate moonroof, air vents, and USB ports. Cargo space varied, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 provided 58 and 79 cubic feet, respectively. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility, and a range of accessories, from roof racks to winches, catered to adventurous buyers.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-equipped interior, even in the base Core trim, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90 seated seven, or six with captain's chairs, and provided up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded. However, the climate control struggled on hot days, and access to the third row was tight for adults.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch screen. Both screens were quick and easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated power seats and a Meridian stereo, while higher trims offered features like air suspension, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2024 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system used Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with optional Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio systems. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP testing. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning five-star ratings from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. However, its advanced driving assistance systems were not as innovative as some rivals. The XC90 included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, but it struggled with certain road conditions and made a significant error during testing.