2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Volvo XC90

Stylistically, Volvo had evolved significantly from its days of producing boxy cars like the 240dl and the 700 series. The 2023 XC90 showcased a purposeful yet understated design. Its front end appeared stout and solid without being overly aggressive, and the grille was assertive without being flashy. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch that was absent in older Volvo models. The XC90's dimensions and shape still leaned toward rectilinear, but it no longer resembled a toaster.

The XC90 test vehicle featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding a bit of drama to its otherwise stoic appearance. The Platinum Gray paint had brown undertones, giving it richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays and a clean look with few physical controls.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E initially shocked enthusiasts with its Mustang styling cues on a five-door crossover SUV, but it proved to be a smart move. The Mach-E's long, narrow, and tall dimensions wore the galloping horse emblems, scowling headlights, bold rear fender haunches, and tri-bar taillights well. Ford had built over 150,000 Mustang Mach-E’s since its debut, shipping them worldwide. The Mach-E came in various trims, with prices ranging from $45,995 to $63,995, plus a destination charge.

Our test vehicle, a GT spec with Cyber Orange paint, had an MSRP of $66,590. The GT trim featured revised bumpers, unique 20-inch wheels, and a dark front panel resembling a traditional grille, giving it a more aggressive look. Inside, the Mach-E GT felt like a luxury car with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, copper stitching, and a high-end look. The cabin featured metallic and gloss-black trim, two rectangular display screens, and a sporty, upscale ambiance. The Mach-E GT blended past, present, and future in an appealing vehicle.

For the 2023 model year, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) with the new B5 and B6 engines, featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine used a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to produce 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, like the T6, used a supercharger and a turbo with mild-hybrid tech, generating 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation, though the benefits were minimal. The electric motors powered a 13-volt starter generator, handling tasks like climate control and ignition. The XC90's fuel-saving auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible. The XC90 delivered an enjoyable driving experience with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. It handled well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered various configurations, including standard-range and extended-range battery packs, and single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems. Power ranged from 266 to 480 horsepower, with torque spanning from 317 to 634 pound-feet. The Mach-E GT had an extended-range battery and AWD, producing 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds and a 270-mile range.

The GT Performance Edition package increased torque to 634 lb-ft, reduced the range to 260 miles, and improved acceleration to 3.5 seconds. The Mach-E GT featured Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled driving modes, with an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for racetrack use. One-pedal driving was available, allowing operation with just the accelerator. The Mach-E GT was fast, with impressive driving dynamics, good brakes, and a firm suspension. The Performance Edition package added adaptive damping suspension, larger front brakes, and summer performance tires.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and no dedicated space for a cell phone. The USB port for phone charging was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but removing the middle seat for captain’s chairs cost $500 and required upgrading to the B6 engine.

Accessing the third row was difficult with three seats in place, and space in the back row was limited. With the third seat in position, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded down, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This fell short of competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX. The XC90 drove like a smaller car than typical three-row SUVs, which was a plus.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its crossover SUV configuration, offered seating for up to five people and 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a sizable front trunk (frunk). The Mach-E GT had eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather with black Miko synthetic suede inserts. The Performance Edition package added performance seats with gray ActiveX and Miko upholstery.

The tiered center console provided a mix of covered and open storage areas, with a lower storage tray beneath the bridge connecting the console to the dashboard. The rear seat was snug but supportive, with enough space for three kids or two additional adults. The standard panoramic glass roof added an airy feel. The Mach-E offered 29.7 cubic feet of cargo space under a large liftgate, expanding to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The frunk added another 4.7 cubic feet of cargo space, designed to get dirty and include a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system of its kind. Google OS integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. Natural-language recognition was a highlight, making day-to-day use easier. Owners could also issue commands to their XC90 via Google Home devices.

However, many key functions were filed away within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The XC90 lacked physical buttons and redundant controls, making it cumbersome to adjust features like the heated steering wheel or driver’s seat position. While these issues might fade with daily use, they were noticeable during a test drive.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford’s Sync 4A infotainment platform, staying current through over-the-air software updates. The screen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect services, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Sync 4A learned user habits and suggested destinations and recently used apps.

The touchscreen provided access to the dual-zone automatic climate control system, vehicle settings, and a comprehensive trip computer. Ford simplified the user experience, though a radio tuning knob and a driving mode button would have been helpful. Sync 4A supported natural voice recognition, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The Bang & Olufsen premium sound system was excellent, and the 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display presented essential data. The Mach-E also featured Phone As A Key technology, transforming a smartphone into the vehicle’s key.

Volvo's reputation for safety was well-deserved, with the XC90 carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, all standard on the 2023 model.

Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 technology was standard on all Mach-E models, along with the latest BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change function, predictive speed assist, and lane repositioning. During testing, BlueCruise 1.2 performed well but required constant monitoring. The Mach-E received top marks from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022. However, the NHTSA had not finalized crash-test ratings for the 2023 model.