2024 Lexus RX vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model showcased a purposeful yet understated aesthetic, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's rectilinear dimensions were complemented by 21-inch wheels and a sophisticated Platinum Gray paint with subtle brown undertones. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design was enhanced by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and refined atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus RX presented a more polarizing design following its recent redesign. The front end was dominated by an oversized trapezoidal grille, which, along with the hood's prominent bump, contributed to a bulky appearance. The side profile featured bulging body panels and a swooping chrome accent strip, while the rear end offered a more cohesive design with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX's interior was more conventional, with faux suede inserts and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. The cabin was adorned with premium leather and well-grained plastics, though the simulated woodgrain on the center console felt less convincing. Overall, the RX's interior prioritized comfort and practicality over bold design statements.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. These engines incorporated mild-hybrid technology, offering improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. 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 enhanced the XC90's fuel-saving auto stop-start technology. The XC90 provided a composed driving experience, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Its handling was surprisingly agile for its size, and the brakes inspired confidence with their solid pedal feel.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered a range of powertrains, starting with the base RX 350's turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350h hybrid featured a 2.5-liter engine with 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-liter engine with a hybrid system, generating 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The new RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid boasted 304 horsepower and an electric-only range of up to 37 miles. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ offered more responsive performance. The RX prioritized comfort with its soft suspension, resulting in noticeable body roll during cornering. The F Sport Handling trim provided a sportier driving experience, but the RX's primary focus remained on delivering a comfortable ride.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior offered a peaceful and pleasant experience, though its Scandinavian minimalism led to some storage frustrations. The lack of dedicated space for smaller items, such as cell phones, was a drawback. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating. The XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While the XC90 drove like a smaller car, its cargo capacity fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7 and Infiniti QX60.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered ample front seat space with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. A rubberized wireless charging pad and additional USB ports enhanced convenience. The rear seats provided good legroom and headroom, with standard rear climate controls and USB charge ports. The RX's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the second row folded. The trunk's usability was offset by a slightly taller load floor, requiring more effort for loading heavier items. The RX featured a power liftgate with hands-free operation available as an option.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first of its kind in a vehicle. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, offering natural-language recognition for seamless interaction. 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 ability to issue commands via Google Home devices.

The 2024 Lexus RX benefited from a redesigned infotainment system, replacing the previous trackpad controller with a more conventional touchscreen interface. Lower trims featured a 9.8-inch display, while higher trims boasted a 14-inch screen. The system offered logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses, along with natural speech commands. The steering wheel housed multi-function pads for phone, music, and cruise control, with a head-up display providing button diagrams. The RX included a cloud-based navigation system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone app connectivity, though connectivity issues and subscription requirements made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto more appealing. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety innovation, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90 came equipped with advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance and lane position. These features were standard on the XC90, reinforcing its reputation as one of the safest vehicles on the road.

The 2024 Lexus RX received five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the RX its highest score of "Good" in most crashworthiness evaluations, except for the moderate frontal overlap test, where it received a "Poor" rating. Despite this, the RX was named a Top Safety Pick. The RX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features included parking proximity sensors, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. Some safety features were overly sensitive, but they could be adjusted or disabled as needed.