2024 Subaru Outback vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged charm with minor updates to the Wilderness trim, featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding provided a striking contrast to the Autumn Green Metallic paint, which was described as a "green-tinged dark khaki." The Outback's various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim showcasing the most chrome, which was tastefully done. Wheel designs varied by trim, with standard black 17-inch alloy wheels and larger 18-inch wheels on the Onyx Edition. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a level of luxury unexpected from Subaru. Other trims featured a mix of leather and synthetic materials, with cloth seats on the base and Premium trims.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 exuded a sense of understated luxury with its subdued and earthy exterior paint palette. The SUV offered a range of appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches, with most versions featuring a Bright theme that contrasted with the blacked-out trend. Inside, the XC90's design was somewhat dated but compensated with rich materials, especially in the Ultimate trim. Buyers could choose from wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, complemented by an Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim. Volvo allowed for customization in paint, wheels, and upholstery, catering to discerning customers.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with a standard 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic CVT were standard. The Touring XT test car's turbo engine provided a better fit for the vehicle's weight, with the CVT mimicking eight distinct gears. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, aided by its suspension and reasonably sized wheels. Ground clearance was 8.7 inches, with the Wilderness trim offering 9.2 inches and all-terrain tires.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The SUV offered 32 miles of electric-only range and averaged 27 mpg in hybrid mode. Recharging took about 12 hours on a standard outlet, with faster options available. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. The SUV's performance was lively, but its handling was more luxury-oriented than sporty, with a firm ride and some cabin noise.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more front-row headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Feature availability was a highlight, with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat standard on most trims. The Touring trim added ventilated front seats, while the Onyx Edition included a heated steering wheel. The hands-free power liftgate and power moonroof were available on higher trims, and the roof rails with retractable cross bars were standard.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and wood trim. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The SUV seated seven, with a comfortable second-row bench and a tight but accommodating third row. Interior storage was adequate, and cargo capacity reached 65.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 85.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Subaru Outback Touring featured a CD player, USB-C and USB-A ports, and an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity starting at the Premium trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with some hard buttons for convenience. Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM were standard, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available on most trims.

The 2024 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system used Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM were standard, with premium audio options including a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The XC90 also featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned 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 was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were standard on higher trims, with a wide-angle camera and driver-attention monitor on the Touring trim.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2023. While the XC90's ADAS features were comprehensive, they lacked innovation compared to rivals. Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, was included but had limitations in certain driving conditions.