2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level, adding $4,505 to its price, with $1,875 covering the standard four-wheel-drive system. The remaining $2,630 bought retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. Available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior, the 40 ASE had a strong SoCal vibe, reminiscent of 1970s aesthetics. The fifth-generation 4Runner maintained a truck-based SUV look, with a solid and quality-feeling interior, despite the extensive use of plastic.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, though not new, remained distinctive with its flat-roofed profile and clean exterior design. For 2023, Volvo updated the XC40’s styling with new pixelated “Thor’s Hammer” headlights, a more angular front bumper, and new wheel designs. The XC40 shared the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with the Volvo C40 Recharge and Polestar 2, making it the only CMA-based model in the U.S. with a combustion engine. The interior retained its minimalist design, featuring thin air vents, scalloped door elements, and optional leather or vegan leather upholstery. The XC40 Ultimate test vehicle included a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, though the all-black interior felt somewhat utilitarian.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD and a full-time 4WD available on the Limited trim. The 4Runner had a minimum ground clearance of nine inches and various off-roading technologies, including Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. Despite its off-road prowess, the 4Runner’s on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. The base B4 powertrain combined this system with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 197 hp and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the B5 model offered 247 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B4 being FWD-only and the B5 AWD-only. The B5 model could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors, produced 402 hp and 486 pound-feet of torque, achieving a zero to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and an EPA-rated 223-mile range. The XC40’s chassis tuning provided a refined and composed ride, though it lacked a sport driving mode.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down back window, providing excellent flow-through ventilation. The interior offered comfortable seats, with the 40 ASE model featuring SofTex artificial leather and heated front cushions. Storage was ample, though some compartments lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating was spacious, with good legroom and headroom, while the optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC40, while compact, offered reasonable space for its class. It provided ample rear-seat headroom and shoulder room, though legroom was average. Cargo space was 20 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded. The XC40 featured a power tailgate and keyless entry on higher trims. Interior storage was well-designed, with scalloped door panels and a large center console storage bin.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner’s technology was straightforward, featuring traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 adopted an Android-based infotainment system, using Google apps for navigation and voice recognition. It featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen. The B5 Ultimate test vehicle included a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and multiple USB-C ports. The lack of analog controls meant most functions were accessed via the touchscreen, which could be cumbersome for some users.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 included standard safety features such as lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trims added front and side parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Pilot Assist. The IIHS awarded the XC40 top “Good” ratings in most crash tests, though it received an “Acceptable” rating in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA gave the gasoline XC40 a five-star overall rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and a four-star rollover rating.