2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

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 distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, contrasting sharply with the more utilitarian designs of previous decades. The XC90's rectilinear dimensions were still present, but the overall design was far from the boxy shapes of yesteryear. The interior of the XC90 was a testament to Scandinavian elegance, featuring a minimalist design with luxurious materials like Nappa leather and Orrefors crystal. The cabin exuded a clean and natural feel, enhanced by wood deco inlays, although the minimalist approach resulted in limited physical controls.

The 2024 Subaru Outback retained much of its design from the previous year's facelift, with the Wilderness trim receiving a refreshed front fascia and new LED fog lights. The Outback's exterior featured a tasteful mix of dark gray cladding and chrome accents, particularly on the Touring trim. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim sporting matte black wheels. Inside, the Outback's top-trim Touring XT model impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from a brand known for capability over opulence. The interior materials varied by trim, with options ranging from cloth to StarTex synthetic leather. The Outback's design balanced ruggedness with a touch of sophistication, appealing to those seeking both style and practicality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. These new engines incorporated mild-hybrid technology, offering a slight improvement in fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The B5 engine, with its turbocharger and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 powertrain, which our test car featured, combined a supercharger and turbocharger to deliver 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. While the mild-hybrid system didn't allow for electric-only driving, it enhanced the XC90's fuel-saving auto stop-start technology. The XC90 provided a refined driving experience, with quick acceleration and a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its size, the XC90 handled corners well, and its brakes offered a solid pedal feel. The XC90's driving dynamics were straightforward, with limited customizable options, but it performed admirably in various conditions, including a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2024 Subaru Outback continued to utilize its signature "Boxer" engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, upgraded to a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This turbocharged engine significantly improved the Outback's performance, especially in terms of towing capacity, which increased to 3,500 lbs. The Outback's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and Lineartronic CVT provided a smooth and capable driving experience. The CVT mimicked the feel of an eight-speed transmission, and the steering offered adequate feedback. The Outback excelled in providing a comfortable ride, thanks to its well-engineered suspension and reasonably sized wheels. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Outback was ready for off-road adventures, and the Wilderness trim offered even more capability with 9.2 inches of clearance and all-terrain tires.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a serene and elegant front cabin, but its minimalist design led to some space and storage challenges. The lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items, such as cell phones, was a notable drawback. The second row provided reasonable comfort and space, but accessing the third row was a challenge, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. Opting for captain's chairs required an upgrade to the B6 engine and an additional cost. The XC90's cargo space was competitive, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. However, it fell short compared to rivals like the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle, offering a pleasant driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback impressed with its interior space, offering more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The Outback's cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While it didn't match the cargo space of some rivals, it excelled in passenger comfort. The Outback's feature availability was noteworthy, with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat becoming standard on higher trims. The Touring trim offered additional luxuries like ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were available on select trims, enhancing convenience. The Outback's raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS, making Volvo the first automaker to offer this technology as standard. The system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, providing a seamless user experience. Natural-language recognition was a standout feature, allowing for intuitive voice commands. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for many functions, including seat adjustments and climate controls, could be frustrating. While the minimalist design was visually appealing, it required some adjustment for users accustomed to physical controls. Over time, these quirks might become less noticeable, but they were worth considering during a test drive.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology. The Touring trim retained a CD player, appealing to those who appreciated traditional features. The infotainment system featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented screen on higher trims, while the base model retained a dual-7-inch-screen setup. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform, though somewhat dated in appearance, offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless capability starting from the Premium trim. Climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability was available on most trims, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims. The Outback's technology package provided a balance of convenience and connectivity.

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 a comprehensive suite of advanced driver safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which maintained distance and speed in traffic. These features were standard, reinforcing Volvo's commitment to safety.

The 2024 Subaru Outback received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies remained standard, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The 2024 model introduced reverse automatic braking as standard on higher trims and added a wide-angle camera to the Touring trim for improved pedestrian and cyclist detection. The Outback's safety features were comprehensive, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers.