2024 Mazda CX-5 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It showcased a purposeful yet understated front end, with a grille that was assertive without being overly flashy. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the overall dimensions leaned toward rectilinear but were far from the toaster-like shapes of old. 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 exuded elegance 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 design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its appealing design from the second-generation model introduced in 2017. The test vehicle, a new-for-2024 Carbon Turbo trim, sported Zircon Sand paint and exclusive Terracotta leather seats with black artificial suede inserts. The gloss-black exterior detailing added to its modern look. Mazda improved the fuel economy of the base engine, eliminated a machined-finish 19-inch wheel design, and added wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to several trims. The CX-5 lineup included 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo models, with the Turbo offering 256 hp on premium gas. The Carbon Turbo test vehicle had a rear bumper guard and an interior lighting kit, bringing the MSRP to $39,355. The CX-5's interior materials, seating, technology, and suspension upgrades made it an upscale crossover SUV at a mainstream price.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. 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 deliver 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. The XC90 handled well despite its bulky dimensions, and its fuel-saving auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible. The XC90 lacked extensive off-roader features but performed well in a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo delivered 256 hp at 5,000 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm on premium gas. On regular gas, it offered 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain was more rewarding with a steady press on the accelerator, allowing revs to build before delivering torque. The CX-5's fuel economy was unimpressive, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined and an observed 22.9 mpg. The CX-5 felt tall and narrow from the driver's seat, with excellent outward visibility. Mazda re-tuned the suspension for a smoother ride, stiffened the frame for responsive handling, and made all-wheel drive standard. The CX-5's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced cornering and minimized body motions. The CX-5 was quiet on the highway, firm and connected in the city, and fun on twisty roads. It could handle well-traveled trails with 7.9 inches of ground clearance and tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but the Scandinavian minimalism led to space and storage frustrations. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port was located in a small center console bin. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in position, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This was less than 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 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured standard heated front seats, redesigned for comfort and support. The driver’s seat had six-way power adjustment, and passengers could manually raise the seat height. Leather was standard on all trims except the base 2.5 S Select, which had artificial leather. The top-shelf 2.5 Turbo Signature had premium Nappa leather. The rear seat offered good support and a proper sitting position, with rear air conditioning vents and a center fold-down armrest. The CX-5's cabin design and quality elevated it above most mass-market rivals. The CX-5 provided 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, less than most compact crossovers.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system with this technology. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were standard features. The natural-language recognition of Google Assistant 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 turning on the heated steering wheel or adjusting the driver’s seat position. These quirks might fade with daily use, but they were noticeable during a test drive.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 avoided touchscreen infotainment systems to reduce driver distraction, using traditional switchgear for essential functions. However, Mazda allowed touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while driving, with wireless connectivity in several trims. The 10.25-inch display was navigated using a large knob and surrounding buttons on the center console. The system was less intuitive than Siri or Google Assistant, so pairing a smartphone was recommended. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting, a find my car feature, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The Carbon Turbo trim included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, adding to the SUV’s premium interior.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, 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 featured advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and supported highway driving. These safety features were standard on the 2023 Volvo XC90.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, traffic sign recognition, and Traffic Jam Assist technology. The top trim included a driver monitoring system, surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The CX-5 had a five-star rating from the NHTSA, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS in 2024.