2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Volvo XC60

When considering the 2023 Volvo XC60, buyers in 2023 faced a choice between three powertrains. The base model, XC60 B5, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Alternatively, the XC60 B6 came with a turbocharged and supercharged mild-hybrid engine. Both of these options included standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

The highlight was the XC60 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with a turbocharged powertrain. It combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to power the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an 18.8-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack powering a rear electric motor. This setup offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range before switching to hybrid mode.

In 2023, XC60 prices ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, including the destination charge. Trim levels consisted of Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered, available with Bright or Dark exterior themes.

Our test model was a XC60 Recharge in Ultimate trim and Dark exterior theme. Volvo added extras like Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package with heated steering wheel and rear seats, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, bringing the MSRP to $74,690, including destination charge. Sitting on 20-inch wheels with its striking paint and blacked-out trim, the XC60 Recharge looked impressive. Volvo's style and design have aged gracefully, maintaining elegance both externally and internally.

Inside, classic Scandinavian minimalism dominated. Though it required some acclimatization, the controls became intuitive over time. The black leather seats, wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, and Ultimate package’s Orrefors crystal gear selector knob enhanced the cabin's opulence.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, shoppers found six trim levels from the base RAV4 LE to the feature-rich RAV4 Limited, including Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims with design cues from the 2019 model year. Our Adventure trim test model showcased an aggressive grille with a centrally placed Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, faux skid plates, and prominent black cladding around the wheel arches, contributing to a rugged aesthetic.

Inside, the Adventure trim featured orange accents, with seat stripes, contrast stitching, and highlighted plastic borders on a simple center console. A notable frameless rearview mirror added a touch of premium feel in an otherwise basic interior. For those seeking more luxury, the Toyota Venza was an alternative with a more car-like experience.

Front seat options varied by trim, from fabric in LE and XLE to synthetic SofTex in XLE Premium. Higher trims offered heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Dual-zone climate control was standard on all but the base trim.

The Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels with an electric motor powering the rear wheels, all managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup, juiced by a battery pack, provided an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range and produced a total of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful XC60 in Volvo’s history. It had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

Driving modes, accessible via the 9-inch touchscreen, included Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD. Additional settings like Auto, Hold, and Charge modes allowed customization of battery usage. In Pure mode, the XC60 offered electric-only driving, ideal for maximizing efficiency, while Power mode provided spirited acceleration, claimed to reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.

During evaluation, starting with Pure mode and 36 miles of electric range, the XC60 achieved 38.3 miles on electricity alone. The transition to gasoline was seamless, though the car performed best in Power mode, tightening the steering and suspension for a sporty feel. Despite some surging from a standstill with one-pedal driving, overall fuel economy averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile route.

In Charge mode, the gasoline engine recharged the battery but at the cost of fuel efficiency, averaging only 19.7 mpg over a 50.8-mile trip.

For the 2023 Toyota RAV4, the standard engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 203 horsepower and 184-pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All trims except Adventure and TRD Off-Road came with front-wheel drive (FWD), although buyers could opt for AWD, which added a Snow Mode. The RAV4 Hybrid and Prime models offered AWD exclusively.

The RAV4 Adventure, while visually ready for off-roading, fell short of the TRD Off-Road’s capabilities, featuring the same MacPherson independent front and multi-link rear suspension as other trims. In contrast, the TRD Off-Road had a TRD-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires, and unique shocks and bumpers.

Despite its attempt at ruggedness, the Adventure’s performance was more practical than exciting. The engine was adequate but noisy under acceleration. However, it was more refined than the Subaru Forester’s boxer engine and provided reasonable off-road competence for light to moderate trails.

The Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort, ideally seating four people despite being able to accommodate five. Front seats were outstanding, especially in Ultimate trim with luxuriously soft Nappa leather, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The rear seats, although tight on legroom for taller passengers, were comfortable and supported.

Storage spots in the XC60 included small console bins, practical center console trays, door panel bins, and glovebox. Cargo space with the rear seats up was 25.8 cubic feet, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet when folded. A useful netted area for charging cords and buttons for lowering the air suspension aided convenience.

The 2023 RAV4, on the other hand, accommodated five passengers but offered less front-row headroom at 37.7 inches with the moonroof compared to its competitors. It had more rear headroom at 39.5 inches. Legroom was 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the rear, making it competitive but narrower than rivals. Front occupants enjoyed convenient storage options, including a shelf, generous door pockets, and side-by-side center cupholders.

In terms of cargo space, the RAV4 provided 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, or 69.8 cubic feet when folded, placing it ahead of the Mazda CX-5 but below the Honda CR-V.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel controlled through steering wheel controls, though some functions were buried within the 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system. This system included free access to Google services for four years, support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Wi-Fi access. The portrait-style touchscreen, while smaller, was user-friendly with excellent graphics.

Voice recognition was effective, albeit with occasional quirks such as misinterpreting “find” commands. Nevertheless, Google Assistant managed navigation and music requests seamlessly. Our test vehicle had a top-notch Bowers & Wilkins sound system, though a Harman Kardon system in the Ultimate package might suffice for most.

Toyota upgraded its RAV4 for 2023 with a new infotainment system, featuring an 8.0-inch standard touchscreen and a 10.5-inch screen for higher trims like Limited and TRD Off-Road. It supported OTA updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice command. Our Adventure trim had a multimedia upgrade with a 10.5-inch screen, 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, and a 7-inch driver-information display, with the Limited trim offering a larger 12.3-inch display.

Volvo’s robust safety reputation remained evident in the 2023 XC60. The Ultimate trim came with Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. During testing, Pilot Assist performed smoothly on freeways but wasn’t tested on challenging roads due to traffic. Additional safety features included Oncoming Lane Mitigation.

While the NHTSA had not rated the PHEV model, the mild-hybrids earned top marks. The IIHS awarded the 2023 XC60 B5 and B6 with a Top Safety Pick+ rating for the 2022 calendar year, potentially carrying forward for 2023.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available from the XLE trim onwards.

The RAV4’s solid safety features translated to high marks in IIHS crash-testing, earning a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award.