2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past designs, which were often likened to rolling bricks. Unlike its predecessors, the XC90 showcased a purposeful yet understated look. Its front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and the grille was assertive without being too large. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch absent in older models. The XC90's dimensions and shape still leaned toward rectilinear, but it no longer resembled a toaster. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with two-tone leather on the 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 Honda CR-V Hybrid represented the most significant styling departure in its history. The new model was assertive, leaning forward with a tougher, more truck-like appearance. It was 2.5 inches longer and half an inch wider than the previous model, with a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, giving it a more muscular stance. The classic D-pillar taillights were updated with three L shapes for a modern, aggressive look. The Sport Touring trim, driven for this review, featured black roof rails, mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the design direction of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with a honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents. The materials in the Sport Touring cabin felt high-quality, with attractive contrast stitching on the seats and steering wheel.

For the 2023 model year, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines, featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, similar to the T6, used a supercharger and turbo with mild-hybrid tech to generate 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness but didn't offer significant fuel-economy benefits. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and minimal road and wind noise. The brakes were solid, and the vehicle handled well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, despite lacking dedicated winter tires.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 115 mph. The hybrid setup provided more power without compromising efficiency, making the CR-V Hybrid more responsive and suitable for highway merging. The 2023 model introduced a fourth drive mode, Snow, in addition to Sport, Normal, and Econ. The updated Real Time AWD system could send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. The new "B" shifter position increased regenerative braking, approximating a one-pedal driving experience. The FWD CR-V Hybrid achieved 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined, making it more fuel-efficient than the AWD version and the turbocharged model.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but the Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There was limited cubby space for smaller items, and the USB port for plugging in a phone was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with captain's chairs for an additional $500, but this required upgrading to the B6 engine. Accessing the third row was difficult, and space 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 and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid's larger exterior translated to more interior volume, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. This was comparable to the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and more than the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Kia Sportage Hybrid. The Sport Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and all CR-Vs had wide-opening rear doors for easy access to the rear seating area. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, accommodating two people over 6 feet tall comfortably. The reclining rear seats offered eight positions, and headroom measured 38.2 inches in both rows. The cubby ahead of the shifter held two smartphones side by side, and the console provided best-in-class storage with eight cupholders throughout the cabin.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned 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, powered by Google, enhanced the user experience, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, requiring screen interaction for tasks like adjusting the heated steering wheel or driver's seat position. While these issues might fade with daily use, they could be challenging during a test drive.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to shoppers who preferred physical buttons for important functions. The standard 7-inch touchscreen display had physical volume and tuning knobs, while the 9-inch touchscreen on the Sport Touring trim had a volume knob and hard Seek buttons. Both Hybrid models featured two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and heated front seats. The Sport Touring trim added driver’s seat memory, a four-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, HD radio, Wi-Fi capability, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system. The smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

Volvo's reputation for safety was well-earned, with the XC90 carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and being named a Top Safety Pick+ by 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, which maintained distance from the car ahead from a standstill to highway speed. These safety features were standard on the 2023 Volvo XC90.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies as standard, with improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New safety features included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, low-speed braking control, a blind-spot information system, cross-traffic monitor, parking sensors, rear-seat reminder, and rear seatbelt reminder. The CR-V Hybrid had earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. Additional safety updates included new airbags, dashboard patches, and a 15% stiffer structure for crash protection and increased visibility.