2023 Toyota Venza vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past boxy designs, presenting a more refined and purposeful aesthetic. Its front end was solid yet understated, with a bold grille and distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights that added a modern touch. The XC90's rectilinear shape was complemented by 21-inch wheels and a sophisticated Platinum Gray paint, which added depth and richness. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal speaker covers, crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design featured wood deco inlays and a clean, button-light dashboard, creating a serene and stylish cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza offered a sleek and sculpted design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury vehicle. Its tapered rear roofline and harmonious curves gave it a distinctive look, setting it apart from typical Toyota models. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the experience with higher-quality materials and integrated climate-control buttons. The cabin approached Lexus-level luxury, with soft-touch surfaces and a cohesive design. Overall, the Venza was one of Toyota's most attractively styled vehicles, offering a blend of elegance and modernity.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, featuring both a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving, it provided smoother operation and slightly improved fuel efficiency. The XC90 offered a comfortable driving experience with its eight-speed automatic transmission, minimal road noise, and confident braking. Despite its size, the XC90 handled corners well and maintained a composed ride, even in challenging conditions like a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing 219 horsepower with the help of electric motor/generators and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The Venza's CVT sent power to the front wheels, while a separate electric motor powered the rear wheels for AWD. The hybrid system provided immediate acceleration, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for additional power. The Venza reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, offering a smooth and comfortable ride. While its handling was adequate, the Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty dynamics. The steering was light and lacked feedback, but the Venza's ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, absorbing road imperfections with ease.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, though its Scandinavian minimalism led to some storage frustrations. The lack of dedicated space for smaller items, like cell phones, and limited USB port accessibility were notable drawbacks. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard seven-passenger seating. Cargo space was decent, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, but it fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle, offering a nimble driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided ample front-seat space, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The Star Gaze panoramic roof added a touch of luxury, though its opaque feature was more of a novelty. Rear visibility was limited, but the rear seats offered sufficient space for average adults, with abundant legroom and foot room. The Venza's cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. However, the Venza excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, making it the first automaker to offer this technology as standard. The system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, providing a seamless user experience with natural-language recognition. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions could be frustrating, as more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated. Despite this, the XC90's tech offerings were impressive, with the potential for owners to issue commands via Google Home devices.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics, quick responses, and a logical menu structure. A Wi-Fi connection was available for a 30-day trial, providing remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Limited trim included a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services, offering virtual navigation assistance. The base audio system featured six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90 came standard with advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology. These features worked seamlessly, providing a safe and confident driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Venza also received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. The Venza came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added features like parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display. The Venza's safety features functioned smoothly, with no false alarms reported during testing.