2024 Ford Bronco vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was available in three model series: B5, B6, and Recharge T8. The B5 featured a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 added a supercharger for enhanced performance. The Recharge T8, a plug-in hybrid, offered the most power and efficiency, with an estimated 32 miles of electric-only range. All models came standard with all-wheel drive. The XC90 was offered in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $56,000 to $79,600, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The Recharge T8 test vehicle, in Ultimate trim, featured seven-passenger seating, a Lounge Package with massaging front seats, an active air suspension, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch, with an MSRP of $89,145. The XC90's exterior was characterized by a subdued, earthy color palette and various wheel designs up to 21 inches, contrasting with the blacked-out trend. Inside, the design was dated but luxurious, with options for wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim.

The 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s, particularly successful in the two-door model. The Sasquatch Package, a costly upgrade, added a suspension lift, 35-inch mud-terrain tires, and other off-roading features, giving the Bronco a rugged, wide stance. The Bronco was available in nine trim levels, with prices ranging from $41,525 to $71,580, and the Raptor model at $91,930, all including a $1,895 destination charge. The test vehicle, a four-door Big Bend trim in Hot Pepper Red, featured LED signature lighting, a hardtop, the Mid Package, and the Sasquatch Package, with an MSRP of $55,415. The Bronco's interior was comfortable, with marine-grade mildew- and water-resistant upholstery, though it could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The dashboard featured an 8-inch digital display and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with grab handles for easier entry due to the suspension lift. The Bronco's interior was more refined than its primary rival, the Jeep Wrangler, with effective square side mirrors and a nearly vertical windshield.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6 model’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The battery and electric motor allowed for 32 miles of electric-only driving, with an average of 27 mpg in hybrid mode. In Power mode, the XC90 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Recharging took about 12 hours with a standard outlet, or less than half that time with a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 offered various driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. During testing, the XC90 provided 28 miles of electric range in Pure mode and 24.5 mpg in hybrid mode. The SUV excelled in everyday use, with minimal fuel consumption for local trips. However, as the battery neared its minimum charge, electric performance waned. The XC90 was quick, with impressive grip from its P275/40R21 Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires, but its handling was not thrilling. The ride was firm, and the cabin was not as quiet as expected for a luxury SUV.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend featured a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, requiring the automatic transmission. The Raptor model had a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft, and a 4,500-pound tow rating. The Bronco offered a part-time 4WD system, with an advanced system available as an upgrade. It included hill start assist, hill descent control, and various G.O.A.T. driving modes. Off-roading technologies like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist enhanced its capability. The test vehicle's drivetrain provided good acceleration and easy 4WD engagement, but the Bronco was not fuel-efficient. The Big Bend Sasquatch averaged 16.9 mpg during testing, with a 17.6 mpg average over 2,000 miles. The Bronco excelled off-road, handling trails with ease, but its mud-terrain tires were noisy and lacked grip on winding roads. On-road, the Bronco was fun to drive, with easy parking and a carefree attitude toward bumps and curbs. The interior was ready for open-air driving, with removable roof panels and doors.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in Core trim, was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system with PM2.5 air purification. A panoramic glass roof added natural light, with a one-touch swipe control for the sunshade. Higher trims offered a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, upgraded lighting, an integrated booster child seat, and rear door sunshades. The front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, but their design could catch on clothing. Once adjusted, the XC90 was exceptionally comfortable, with a commanding driving position and good visibility. The climate control system struggled to cool the cabin in Pure mode on a hot day. The XC90 seated seven, or six with captain’s chairs, with a comfortable second-row bench and tight third-row access. Interior storage was adequate, and cargo space was limited with the third row in use. Folding the third row provided up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and 85.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend Sasquatch lacked optional running boards, making entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter individuals. However, the Bronco was comfortable in both two-door and four-door configurations, accommodating four adults in the two-door model. The four-door was roomier than a Jeep Wrangler, with no rollbar obstructing rear-seat passengers. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery trapped moisture, making cloth seats in the Heritage Edition a better option. The two-door Bronco had a standard hardtop with removable panels, while the four-door had a standard soft top, with a hardtop option. The Bronco allowed for various open-air configurations, with removable doors and different top options. Interior storage was good, with MOLLE panels for customization. The two-door offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 53.3 cubic feet with the seats down. The four-door provided 38.3 cubic feet with the soft top, and 83 cubic feet with the seats down, reduced to 35.6 and 77.6 cubic feet with the hardtop.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant, free for four years. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with a three-month trial for SiriusXM. The XC90 offered a 14-speaker Harman Kardon or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, despite its small size, with a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The Google Assistant was generally effective, though sometimes required different prompts. The XC90 included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, with a head-up display and surround-view camera available.

The 2024 Ford Bronco came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, SiriusXM 360L, and a seven-speaker stereo. Higher trims offered a connected navigation system and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Sync 4 system had issues with Apple CarPlay connectivity and voice recognition, and streaming music was inconsistent. The test vehicle had an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel, with a short learning curve for the steering wheel controls. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information, accessible through the Sync 4 display.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in all but rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. However, the XC90 lagged in advanced driving assistance systems, lacking innovation and a hands-free driving system. It included Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist, which struggled with curves and lane markings. A significant error during testing shook confidence in the system.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera were optional. The IIHS rated the Bronco four-door favorably, except for its headlight performance. The NHTSA's ratings were incomplete, with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.