2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

Volvo's aesthetic evolution became strikingly apparent with the 2023 XC90. Gone were the days when their vehicles resembled rolling bricks, like the 240dl or the 700 series wagons. With the XC90, Volvo manifested a look that balanced purpose and poise without veering into ostentation. The bold grille set in a solid, yet non-aggressive front end conveyed assertiveness without appearing overly flashy or large. The headlights carried the recognizable "Thor’s Hammer” design, adding a modern touch absent in earlier models. Our test vehicle, in AWD Ultimate trim, was equipped with 21-inch wheels wrapped in sleek Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, filling the wheel wells and adding a hint of drama to the otherwise understated exterior. The Platinum Gray paint had a rich depth with brown undertones, particularly visible under sunlight, though Volvo’s overall palette remained somewhat subdued, featuring mostly shades of black, white, and gray. Inside, the XC90 exuded Scandinavian elegance. The steering wheel, adorned with two-tone leather and a three-spoke design, was both beautiful and functional. High-quality materials filled the cabin—metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and Nappa leather upholstery in "charcoal" and "blond" enriched the interior. The inclusion of wood deco inlays across the dash and console lent a touch of nature, maintaining a minimalist yet luxurious aura. Despite the abundance of high-tech features, the simplicity of the interior was its most captivating quality. Mazda continued to redefine its image with the 2024 CX-90, surpassing even some luxury competitors in design and material quality. Stretching over 200 inches, the CX-90 represented an imposing SUV with a significant presence. Its wide-set front end and large wheels, ranging from 19 to 21 inches, demanded attention. Tastefully applied chrome trim added to its elegance. Inside the CX-90, especially the top-level trims, Mazda didn’t shy away from creating a near-luxury experience. Models like the Turbo S Premium Plus featured brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents, rivaling more traditionally luxurious brands. The attention to detail and quality resonated throughout the cabin, making even the versatile lower trims feel upscale. In terms of seating configurations, the CX-90 offered extensive flexibility with multiple trims and seating arrangements, accommodating up to eight passengers in the lower trims and providing two-seat configurations in the Turbo S models. The overall interior design prioritized comfort and convenience, with ample cubbies, large door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. Mazda’s deliberate design choices resulted in a cabin that's not just stylish but also practical.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 brought in updated powertrains. The new B5 and B6 engines, both 2.0-liter four-cylinder setups with mild-hybrid technology, replaced the previous T5 and T6 engines. The emphasis was on smoother operation and better fuel efficiency, albeit with minimal gains in economy. The B5 variant, equipped with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivered 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Our test car featured the B6 powertrain, which added a supercharger to the mix, yielding 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Despite a slight dip from the older T6 engine’s 316 hp, the B6 provided ample power and refinement. The XC90’s mild-hybrid system leveraged a 13-volt starter generator for duties like ignition and climate control, promoting efficient operation. While not capable of electric-only driving, the setup offered advantages over traditional gas engines, particularly in its almost imperceptible auto stop-start system. Driving the XC90 was a serene experience. It handled New Hampshire’s winter roads commendably, offering stable and quiet acceleration with its eight-speed automatic transmission. The big wheels and low-profile tires contributed to less body roll than expected. However, the XC90’s simplistic driving dynamics—lacking extensive customizable modes—presented a trade-off between straightforward usage and versatility. Mazda’s introduction of new powertrains for the 2024 CX-90 marked a significant leap from its predecessor, the CX-9. The CX-90 could be fitted with a new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The turbocharged I6 in its base form delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque but saw a remarkable boost in the Turbo S variants to 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. Standard AWD across all models and an eight-speed automatic transmission were notable advancements. The Turbo S with its three driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Off-Road—offered an engaging driving experience. The inline-six roared impressively, especially in Sport mode, despite the occasional quirk from the transmission when shifting. The CX-90 PHEV combined a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, generating 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. With an estimated 26-mile electric range and 56 MPGe, it offered both efficient and spirited performance. Exceptional handling defined the CX-90, allowing it to navigate twisty roads with agility uncommon in three-row SUVs. The double-wishbone front suspension contributed to a responsive and lively driving experience, much like Mazda’s famed MX-5 Miata.

The 2023 XC90's front seats exuded serenity and comfort, fitting with Volvo's minimalist design ethos, but they fell short in terms of storage solutions. The limited cubby and phone storage were notable gaps. The USB port placement inside the small center console bin wasn’t convenient either. The second-row seats offered reasonable comfort but were less intuitive to adjust. While the standard bench seat allowed seven-passenger seating, opting for captain’s chairs required an upgrade to the B6 engine and a $500 charge. This made accessing the third row a bit of a battle, and the rear-most seats offered limited space. Cargo capacity with all seats in use was 12.5 cubic feet, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxed out at 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. Though respectable, these figures fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX. The Mazda CX-90 presented a versatile range of seating configurations. Lower trims could seat eight, while mid-level and higher trims offered captain’s chairs, typically resulting in a seven-seat setup. Higher trims like the Turbo S Premium and Premium Plus featured a two-seat third row for extra comfort. Cargo space was competitive, offering 75.2 cubic feet in two-seat third-row models, with incremental reductions for three-seat rows. Behind the third row, there was 15.9 cubic feet in two-seat models and 14.9 cubic feet in three-seat ones. Although improved from the CX-9, the CX-90’s cargo space was still less than competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Storage solutions were well thought out, with ample cubbies, large center consoles, and practical door pockets. The middle-row captain's chairs in higher trims included a center console with additional storage options, enhancing the practical comfort of the cabin.

The 2023 XC90 featured a 9-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system powered by Google OS. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant seamlessly, offering robust natural-language recognition and the ability to issue commands via Google Home devices. While the system was smart and functional, the reliance on touchscreen controls for many functions posed a usability challenge. Important adjustments like seat positions required interaction with the screen, which could be frustrating. The minimalist design, though visually appealing, could have benefitted from more physical buttons for essential functions. Mazda's approach to technology in the 2024 CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions. Mazda Connect, the infotainment software, eschewed touchscreens in favor of physical buttons and a rotary control knob. Though well-intentioned, this setup often resulted in frustration due to its complexity in performing simple tasks. Notably, the CX-90 offered personalization software, which used facial recognition to adjust settings automatically to the driver’s preferences. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with the higher trims enabling wireless connectivity and touchscreen controls for these interfaces—an acknowledgment of the advantages of touchscreens for certain functions.

Volvo’s commitment to safety was evident in the 2023 XC90. With a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2022, the XC90 set a high bar. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Volvo's Pilot Assist technology, which combined these systems for comprehensive driver support. Mazda equipped the CX-90 with its i-Activsense suite of safety features as standard. This included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Turbo S Premium Plus models added cruising and traffic support, effectively blending lane-centering and adaptive cruise control for enhanced control. While it hadn’t yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, the safety legacy of the CX-9 pointed to promising outcomes.