2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Volvo XC90

In 2023, the Toyota RAV4 was offered in an array of six trim levels, ranging from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE at just below $30,000 to the luxurious RAV4 Limited, which boasted features like ventilated seats. Particularly notable were the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, with a design that evolved since its 2019 inception, featuring a distinctive two-part face. The Adventure trim, which we tested, moved the Toyota badge closer to the center of a more aggressive grille, blacked out the wheels, and added a faux skid plate and prominent black cladding around the wheel arches. Despite its rugged appearance, the Adventure trim was more of a style statement than a true off-road beast. The interior featured orange accents, with seats that showcased a central stripe and contrasting stitching, while orange plastic borders livened up the otherwise utilitarian center console. A frameless rearview mirror imparted a touch of sophistication to an otherwise straightforward interior. Consumers in search of a more premium cabin might have gravitated towards the Toyota Venza, which, sharing the same platform, offered a smoother, more car-like ride compared to the RAV4’s robust, truck-like demeanor. Each trim came with varying upholstery options, from fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims to synthetic leather in the XLE Premium. The Limited trim offered the highest level of luxury with heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, replete with two-position memory for the driver. Dual-zone climate control was standard across all trims except for the base trim. Compared to the Toyota RAV4, the 2024 Volvo XC90 oozed sophistication and practicality in equal measures. Offered in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims, the price spectrum ranged from $56,000 to just under $80,000, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. Our test model, the Recharge T8 in Ultimate trim, came with a myriad of luxurious features, including a Lounge Package, massaging front seats, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch with a 5,000-pound towing capacity, bringing its MSRP to $89,145. The 2024 XC90’s design prioritized a grounded color palette and practical elegance. Its wheel designs, available up to 21 inches, contrasted brightly against the vehicle’s chrome and polished metal accents, standing apart from the prevailing trend of blacked-out aesthetics. Inside, the aged yet luxurious interior featured a blend of wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, performance began with a standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which came with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The vehicle housed a singular gasoline engine—a 2.5-liter four-cylinder—producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, favoring it over rivals equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the vehicle’s acceleration was adequate, it did not deliver an exhilarating drive but performed competently within its capacity. The RAV4 Adventure's 19-inch wheels, clad in all-season tires, shared the same suspension system with the rest of the lineup: a MacPherson independent front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. In contrast, the TRD Off-Road trim featured 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires, TRD-tuned suspension, and specific shocks and jounce bumpers for enhanced off-roading capabilities. For the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, Volvo significantly ramped up performance. Combining an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6 model’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the SUV churned out 455 horsepower and a whopping 523 lb-ft of torque, all handled by an eight-speed automatic transmission and delivered to all four wheels. The XC90 offered impressive electric-only capabilities, managing a 32-mile range on a full charge in Pure mode. In hybrid mode, it aimed for a combined fuel efficiency of 27 mpg. Performance-oriented drivers could switch to Power mode for a 0-60 mph sprint in just five seconds. Charging options were versatile, with household outlets taking around 12 hours, while a 240-volt outlet reduced this time dramatically. Special driving modes, including Charge, Hold, Auto, and Pure, offered enhanced control over the vehicle’s power utilization. Despite its robust powertrain, the XC90 revealed its luxury SUV nature during spirited drives. The suspension allowed noticeable body roll, pitch, and dive, while the steering lacked sharpness and communicative feedback. Furthermore, the ride felt overly firm on rough surfaces, and cabin insulation was not as hushed as expected for a near-$90,000 vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five and, with a moonroof, offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear. It provided 41 inches of legroom in the front, which was on par with competitors like the Honda CR-V, but its 37.8 inches of rear legroom lagged behind both the CR-V and Subaru Forester. The RAV4’s narrower backseat also fell short of its rivals in terms of width. Storage solutions in the RAV4 were practical, with a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generously-sized door pockets. Center cupholders were conveniently placed, and a lever-style gear shifter added to the rugged aesthetic of the vehicle. Cargo capacity stood at 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded—respectable figures that put it ahead of models like the Mazda CX-5 but behind the CR-V. In comparison, the 2024 Volvo XC90 came standard with luxurious features such as power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. A panoramic glass roof added to the airy cabin feel, augmented by a clever one-touch swipe control for the sunshade. Higher trims offered ventilated front seats with massage functions, an integrated booster child seat, rear door sunshades, and improved interior lighting. On the test day, the XC90’s climate control system struggled to cool the cabin effectively in Pure mode, succeeding only after the gas engine kicked in. The third-row seats were accessible but tight for adults, although surprisingly more accommodating than expected. The XC90’s storage capabilities were somewhat limited, with less cargo space than the RAV4 when the third-row seats were in use. Total cargo space was 65.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 made a significant technological leap with a new infotainment system that supported over-the-air updates. It featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.5-inch touchscreen available on Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The software now supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with voice command functionality. Our Adventure trim test vehicle included the upgraded multimedia system, boasting an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio setup and a 7-inch driver-information display. In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 sported a 9-inch touchscreen interface featuring Google Built-in technology, which provided Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant for voice recognition. This system was intuitive and user-friendly, making the modest-sized touchscreen less of an issue. Volvo also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, though its controls and displays sometimes lacked intuitive clarity. Audiophiles had options between a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. Notably, the XC90 was equipped with a surround-view camera and parking sensors, enhancing user experience and convenience.

In 2023, the Toyota RAV4 came fully equipped with an array of standard safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on base models and standard starting from the XLE trim. The RAV4 also hosted the updated Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, which enhanced its adaptive cruise control capabilities. The RAV4’s excellent performance in crash tests earned it an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023. The 2024 Volvo XC90 stayed true to its brand’s commitment to safety. It boasted a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was recognized as a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS. Although the XC90 featured standard adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist through its Pilot Assist system, its lack of hands-free driving capabilities and innovative advanced driver-assistance systems left it behind some of its rivals. Pilot Assist demonstrated competence during most scenarios but faltered in challenging situations, undermining confidence in the system.