2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. The front end of the XC90 appeared stout and solid without being overly aggressive, and the grille was assertive yet not 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 older models. The Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones added richness and depth, while the interior boasted elegant design elements like two-tone leather steering wheels, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays and a clean look with few physical controls.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, rugged design, which some might call outdated. The boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a brawny stance, while the TRD Pro model's underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires enhanced its off-road persona. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology features. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen felt dated, and the interior had a lot of hard plastic. However, the 4Runner's layout was easy to use, and the elevated rear bench provided a stadium-like seating experience. The cargo space was generous, with up to 89.7 cubic feet available when the rear seats were stowed.

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 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6 engine, featuring both a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission provided quick acceleration, and the vehicle handled well despite its bulky dimensions. The brakes were solid, and the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology was almost imperceptible.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, produced 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. However, its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, which had more responsive transmissions. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, and the soft suspension caused noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The engine was loud, and the sportier exhaust added to the noise. The 4Runner's handling suffered from body roll and residual bounces, but it remained composed under hard braking. The soft suspension absorbed larger road imperfections well.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, but the Scandinavian minimalism led to limited cubby space for smaller items. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port was located in the 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 place, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car than typical three-row SUVs.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior design looked old, but its layout was easy to use. The large climate-control dials and driveline levers were user-friendly, even with gloves on. The front seats provided ample space, though the steering wheel didn't telescope far enough for taller drivers. The second row offered plenty of legroom, but headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner had numerous storage options, including small pockets, cupholders, and a large armrest bin. The cargo space was generous, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed. The sliding glass rear window and hitch receiver with a seven-pin harness added convenience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The 12.3-inch driver information display also showed Google Maps. The natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to some frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, which could be inconvenient for some users.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model came with a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but the loud engine and road noise made it difficult to appreciate. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with pictograms instead of descriptions. The Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems, along with braking and locking differentials, enhanced off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was well-regarded for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance and lane position.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars for rollover evaluations. IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests but "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for the small overlap frontal test. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The TRD Pro and Limited trims had a surround-view camera system, but only the Limited had front and rear parking sensors.