2023 Subaru Outback vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This gave the Outback a more aggressive appearance, especially with the addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, fog lights in oversized housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, making it a more appealing choice for those who preferred a darker paint color to hide the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition also became more accessible with a new starting price of $33,495 for the non-turbo powertrain, a $5,100 savings compared to the turbocharged Onyx Edition XT.

The Outback's interior, particularly in the Touring trim, was upscale and cohesive. The Java Brown leather upholstery contrasted beautifully with the black interior, and the light gray contrast stitching on the dashboard matched the headliner. Despite the use of hard plastic in some areas, the interior did not feel inexpensive. The flat and textured door sills were practical for using the roof rack. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim on the center console easily collected dust and smudges.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's earlier, boxy designs. The XC90's front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and the grille was assertive yet not too big. The "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern flair, and the overall dimensions and shape leaned toward rectilinear without resembling a toaster. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding drama to the otherwise stoic XC90. The Platinum Gray paint had brown undertones, giving it richness and depth.

Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a gorgeous steering wheel featuring two-tone leather and a three-spoke design. The interior materials were a delightful blend, including metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays across the dash and center console. However, the lack of physical controls and reliance on the touchscreen interface for many functions could be frustrating.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known as boxer types, which helped reduce the vehicle's center of gravity for better handling. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. However, the 3,781-pound test vehicle felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The EPA estimated 28 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing returned 25.6 mpg. The Outback XT models, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, offered 260 hp at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 4,800 rpm, providing better acceleration and responsiveness.

The Outback's suspension tuning was excellent, offering a firm ride at lower speeds and soaking up bumps at higher speeds. The vehicle handled well, with decent steering and capable brakes. The standard Active Torque Split AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced the Outback's off-road capabilities, while the 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.5 inches for the Wilderness trim) made it suitable for challenging terrain. However, the standard engine's lack of power and fuel economy were disappointing, making the turbocharged XT models a more appealing choice.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 engine, with a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the vehicle accelerated quickly with minimal road and wind noise.

The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with good handling and solid brakes. The vehicle's big wheels and thin tires reduced body roll through corners, and the insulation kept the cabin quiet. The XC90 lacked customizable driving dynamics, focusing on simplicity with a manual shift feature and an off-road mode. During testing, the XC90 handled a New Hampshire snowstorm well, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with a manually-adjustable thigh support bolster, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, and heated and ventilated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The rear outboard seats were also heated. The Outback provided ample legroom and comfort for long trips, though wind noise was an issue.

The Outback's cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 75.6 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The flat, textured plastic door sills were useful as steps to reach the roof rack. However, the vehicle could benefit from more practical storage space, as the dashboard shelf and center console tray were limited.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had some space and storage frustrations. The lack of a dedicated space for a cell phone and the small center console bin were notable issues. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The standard seven-passenger seating could be upgraded to six-passenger seating with captain’s chairs for an additional $500 and the B6 engine.

The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These figures were lower than competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX. The XC90 drove like a smaller car, which was a positive aspect given its three-row SUV classification.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, climate control, and defrosters. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered wireless connectivity, a navigation system, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Starlink system was improved for 2023 but still had confusing graphics and poor voice recognition.

The Outback's additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror, a 180-degree front-view camera, and a subscription-based Starlink connected services with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, and a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. The natural-language recognition of Google Assistant enhanced the user experience, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices.

Despite the impressive Google OS, the XC90's reliance on the touchscreen interface for many functions was frustrating. The lack of physical buttons and redundant controls detracted from the minimalist design. However, these issues might fade with long-term ownership and familiarity with the vehicle.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was dedicated to safety, with new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster design. The Outback earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. The Base model included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering.

The Outback's adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous lane-centering assist systems were less impressive, with artificial steering feel and off-center resistance. The rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways, causing jarring stops.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was well-regarded for safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and supported highway driving. These safety features were standard on the XC90.