Honda Pilot vs Volvo XC60

The 2023 Volvo XC60 offered a refined and stylish appearance that continued to stand out in the SUV market. Shoppers could choose between three powertrains, including the XC60 B5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, and the turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid X6 B6. Both came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). The XC60 Recharge, with its turbocharged plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain, combined a gas engine driving the front wheels with an electric motor powering the rear wheels. Featuring an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery, it allowed for an estimated 35 miles of electric driving before switching to hybrid mode.

In terms of trims, Volvo offered Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-exclusive Polestar Engineered. Our test vehicle arrived in the Recharge spec with the Ultimate package and the Dark exterior theme, boasting features like heated seats, air suspension, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system. The sleek Thunder Grey paint and 20-inch wheels added to its elegant design, making it a stylish choice that carried forward Volvo's signature grace, both inside and out. The interior, designed with Scandinavian minimalism in mind, featured black leather, handsome wood trim, metal accents, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof, creating an opulent feeling.

For the 2023 model year, the Honda Pilot earned a full redesign, introducing a more rugged and substantial look. The upright grille and boxier styling didn't just make it look bigger; the SUV was physically larger. Compared to its predecessor, the new Pilot was 3.4 inches longer, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller. These dimensions meshed perfectly with the all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which featured a noticeable one-inch increase in ride height, unique 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates.

Inside, conventional styling was chosen, creating a more functional and versatile environment. Materials met high standards, making the interior attractive and practical, especially compared to recent rivals. While the design favored function over form, it remained appealing, especially given the Pilot's utilitarian aesthetic.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an 18.8-kWh battery powering an electric motor for the rear wheels. This combination delivered an impressive 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. It offered various driving modes such as Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, along with battery usage modes Auto, Hold, and Charge. Acceleration was rapid, with the XC60 sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, making it exceptionally quick for its class.

During testing, the XC60 Recharge managed an electric range of 38.3 miles before switching to hybrid mode. Power mode significantly enhanced responsiveness, offering sportier handling while maintaining a compliant ride quality in Pure and Hybrid modes. Fuel economy averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile evaluation route, highlighting the XC60's efficiency when driven with a focus on maximizing electric-only driving. Additionally, Charge mode allowed recharging the battery on the go, albeit with reduced fuel efficiency.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Honda Pilot featured an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with AWD available across all trims and standard on Elite and TrailSport models. The Pilot provided smooth and responsive acceleration, a trait well-suited for a family SUV, though it wasn't designed for sporty driving. Body roll was noticeable in corners, but overall composure remained intact, emphasizing comfort over sporty performance.

The off-road-capable TrailSport variant increased ground clearance by an inch and added all-terrain tires, which subtly affected on-road ride quality while enhancing off-road capabilities. Even with its moderate off-road enhancements, the Pilot maintained daily driving comfort, proving its ability to handle both family duties and outdoor adventures effectively.

The Volvo XC60, positioned as a compact crossover SUV, offered comfortable seating for four, with space for five when needed. The front seats, especially in the Ultimate trim, provided exceptional comfort with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions for thigh support. The rear seats, while comfortable, offered limited legroom for taller passengers. Despite its compact nature, the XC60 felt roomier due to a large panoramic sunroof.

Storage solutions included small yet secure spots in the center console, wide door panel bins, and a glovebox, though the center console bin was small. The power liftgate, a standard feature on the Recharge model, revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, which expanded to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down, with no underfloor storage due to the battery pack.

In contrast, the Honda Pilot provided a more traditional interior with practical features like a dash shelf for the front passenger. Depending on the trim, it came with either a seven-inch or a larger nine-inch infotainment touchscreen. Practicality shone through with logically placed climate and drive mode controls, and clever storage solutions like a large rubberized shelf, wide center console bin, and sizable door pockets.

The standout feature for the Pilot was the stowable second-row center seat, which provided a useful center pass-through for third-row access. There was ample space in the second row for taller passengers, while the third row, though less comfortable, was suitable for shorter trips. Maximum cargo capacity stood at a whopping 114.3 cubic feet with both rear rows folded down, significantly surpassing Volvo's offering. Even with the third row up, the Pilot provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding usability for family trips.

The XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel operated via steering wheel controls, though some settings were strangely located within the 9-inch infotainment system. The infotainment system, powered by Google Built-in, offered four years of complimentary access to Google services, supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Navigation, voice recognition, and climate control could be operated via the touchscreen or voice commands, with notable success. The Bowers & Wilkins optional sound system provided a premium audio experience, albeit at a high price.

Advancing in technology, the Honda Pilot, particularly from the EX-L trim upwards, featured larger infotainment touchscreens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and USB ports in all rows. The Elite trim included a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system stood out for its quick responses and logical layout, featuring Honda’s CabinTalk for in-car communications, navigation, Bose premium audio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot in higher trims. Off-road trims benefited from the TrailWatch multi-view camera system for enhanced off-road awareness.

Volvo's legacy in safety continued with the XC60, particularly in the Ultimate trim, which included Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. Pilot Assist proved effective on multi-lane freeways and avoided common pitfalls of similar systems. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped prevent collisions with oncoming traffic. Although specific crash-test ratings for the PHEV model were unavailable, the mild-hybrid versions received top safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS.

Honda equipped all Pilot trims with comprehensive Honda Sensing safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. EX-L trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors. The TrailSport and Elite trims featured surround-view and multi-view camera systems. Safety features performed reliably during testing, without false alarms, while adaptive cruise control showcased smooth operation.