2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Honda Pilot

Stylistically, Volvo came a long way from its days of making boxy, utilitarian vehicles like the 240dl and 700 series. The 2023 Volvo XC90 struck a balance between purposeful yet elegant design. Its front end appeared stout and solid without being overly ostentatious, and its grille was assertive without looking too big or flashy. The distinctive “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a modern touch absent from older Volvos. The XC90’s dimensions and shape leaned toward the rectilinear, but the overall look was far from reminiscent of a toaster.

The Ultimate AWD trim we tested had 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, which added a subtle drama to the otherwise stoic vehicle. The Platinum Gray paint, with its brown undertones visible in direct sunlight, added a layer of richness to the XC90’s color palette, which remained restrained with options like smoky blue, black, white, silver, and shades of gray. Inside, the XC90’s design was extremely elegant, featuring a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers & Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery available in “charcoal” and “blond.” The cabin maintained a minimalist feel with wood deco inlays and limited physical controls, which gave it a clean and refined look.

On the other hand, the 2023 Honda Pilot received a full redesign with a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling made it look and feel bigger than its predecessor, and it indeed was larger by 3.4 inches in length, up to 1.5 inches in width, and 0.8 inches in height. The Pilot TrailSport model further enhanced this rugged look with a one-inch taller ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates.

Inside, the Pilot took a more conventional styling route but remained attractive and functional. Materials quality met class expectations and included clever storage solutions. The overall aesthetic of the new 2023 Honda Pilot leaned more toward utility and function, which contrasted with the refinement and modernity of the XC90.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new powertrains: the B5 and B6 engines, which incorporated mild-hybrid technology to improve fuel efficiency and smoothness. The B5, using a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6, akin to the older T6 engine, used both a supercharger and a turbocharger to generate 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite minimal fuel economy gains, the mild-hybrid tech enhanced driveability with features like imperceptible auto stop-start technology. Though the XC90 didn’t have multiple drive modes or advanced off-roading capabilities, its all-wheel-drive system and high-quality insulation provided a surprisingly smooth and quiet ride, even in adverse conditions like a New Hampshire snowstorm.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, with AWD available on all models and standard on Elite and TrailSport trims. The Pilot’s initial acceleration was quick and responsive, and while it wasn’t exceptionally powerful, the engine offered a pleasant hum at higher revs. The vehicle cornered well for a three-row SUV, prioritizing comfort over sporty handling with its soft brake pedal and feather-light steering. The Pilot TrailSport variant added off-road capabilities with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, providing a smooth ride without sacrificing on-road composure.

When considering interior space and functionality, the 2023 Volvo XC90 had its strengths and weaknesses. The minimalist Scandinavian design led to a lack of small-item storage, and the cubby space for a cell phone wasn’t particularly tailored. The vehicle also required upgrading to the B6 engine and paying an additional $500 to switch from a seven-passenger bench seat to a six-passenger configuration with captain’s chairs, making third-row access a challenge. Cargo volume was 12.5 cubic feet with the third row in place, 41.8 cubic feet with it folded down, and only 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, falling short compared to competitors like the Genesis GV80 and Acura MDX.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot excelled in space and storage solutions. Its interior featured a handy dash shelf for the front passenger, a 7-inch or 9-inch infotainment touchscreen based on the trim, and logically placed primary controls. The Pilot’s real innovation was the stowable second-row center seat, which allowed for a useful pass-through to the third row—a valuable feature for families. The second row provided ample space for tall adults, while the third row, although less supportive, was suitable for short trips. The Pilot offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 60.1 cubic feet with the second row flat, and a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet, significantly more than the XC90’s cargo capacity.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 boasted a vertical 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, integrating features like Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant directly into the system. The Google-powered natural language recognition and the ability to issue commands via Google Home devices enhanced user convenience. However, the reliance on the touchscreen interface for most functions led to some frustration, as essential controls like seat adjustments and heated steering required interaction with the screen. Despite the elegant and smart appearance of the tech, it demanded a learning curve for users to become accustomed to the system.

For the 2023 Honda Pilot, stepping up to the EX-L trim brought significant technological advantages, including a larger infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. Higher trims featured a multi-view camera system, a head-up display, a fully digital instrument panel, and advanced features like Honda's CabinTalk PA system, a premium Bose audio system, and TrailWatch camera tailored for off-roading. The intuitive layout and quick response of the infotainment touchscreen prioritized functionality, although the graphics weren’t the most modern. The Pilot’s tech suite was user-friendly and comprehensive, making it a strong contender for tech-savvy buyers.

Volvo’s long-standing reputation for safety continued with the 2023 XC90, which earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The XC90 was equipped with a suite of advanced driver safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which maintained distance and lane position. These features were standard, ensuring high safety levels for all XC90 models.

The 2023 Honda Pilot also aimed for top safety ratings, with Honda expecting high marks from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The Honda Sensing suite included forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, surround-view and multi-view camera systems, and low-speed automatic braking. The safety features worked seamlessly during testing, providing reliable and smooth functionality.