Toyota 4Runner vs Volvo XC90

The 2024 Volvo XC90 stood as a testament to Swedish design sophistication and practicality. Offered in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 model series, it represented a suite of options catering to a spectrum of drivers. The XC90 B5 employed a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, offering ample performance for most users. The B6 added a supercharger for an extra punch, while the Recharge T8, a plug-in hybrid, promised exceptional performance, efficiency, and an estimated 32 miles of electric-only range. All models featured standard all-wheel drive, a staple for maintaining traction and stability in various driving conditions.

Volvo presented the XC90 in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims, ranging in price from $56,000 to $79,600, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The Ultimate trim stood out for its luxurious touches, including seven-passenger seating, a Lounge Package with massaging front seats and a premium headliner, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch boosting the towing capacity to 5,000 pounds. Our Recharge T8 test vehicle in Ultimate trim had an MSRP of $89,145.

The XC90's exterior paint options were earthy and subdued, suitable for a luxury SUV aimed at practicality, safety, and sustainability. Various wheel designs, up to 21 inches in diameter, added to its appeal. The Bright theme with chrome and polished metal contrasted with the more common blacked-out trend, making the XC90 stand out.

Inside, the XC90's design felt timeless, adorned with rich materials, especially in Ultimate trim. Buyers could choose between wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather in varied hues. A crystal shift knob by Orrefors added a touch of elegance, while natural wood trims enhanced the cabin's aesthetic. The ability to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery catered to discerning customers.

Contrasting sharply, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s design felt like a blast from the past, with its boxy silhouette unchanged since its 2010 redesign. Its rugged build, characterized by flared fenders, chunky grille, and liftgate shapes, invoked a sense of stability and readiness for off-road adventures. Our TRD Pro trim accentuated this with underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack, making the 4Runner look prepared for any terrain.

The 4Runner’s interior, albeit robust and functional, exhibited outdated styling and technology. Its analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen seemed relics compared to contemporary standards. Meanwhile, features like traditional gear selectors, transfer case levers, and an LED clock offered a nostalgic touch but mostly underscored the need for an update.

The cabin was rife with hard plastics, which, though durable for off-road escapades, felt less premium. On the plus side, elbow-touch surfaces were cushioned, and the upholstery approximated leather. The design drew parallels with the nostalgic appeal of the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler but missed modern touches found in these competitors.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, yielding an impressive 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivered this power to all four wheels. The Recharge T8 offered 32 miles of electric-only range and should have averaged 27 mpg in combined hybrid driving, though real-world testing returned 24.5 mpg.

Despite hot Californian weather, the XC90 nearly delivered on its electric-only range promise. Over a week of suburban driving, it efficiently managed short trips mostly on electricity, barely denting the fuel range. However, as the battery depleted, electric performance waned, necessitating a gentle touch on the accelerator to avoid engaging the gas engine.

In hybrid and Power modes, the XC90 showed a lively performance. The electric motor offered immediate torque, with seamless transitions from the turbocharged and supercharged engine, making the SUV feel swift, even audibly satisfying. However, its performance-honed tires and adaptive air suspension could not mask the firm ride and underlying structural flex of the aging vehicle platform. Enthusiastic driving revealed its handling limits, with body roll, pitch, and dive impacting dynamic enjoyment. Furthermore, the steering lacked sharpness and feedback.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a robust 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a dated five-speed automatic transmission. This setup felt inadequate compared to rivals like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, both of which benefited from advanced transmissions for better responsiveness and fuel economy. The TRD Pro trim included 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, whereas other trims typically came with RWD and optional 4WD.

Despite its seeming lack of power on paper, the 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, where its torque and durable build shone. However, on-road driving exposed its limitations. Acceleration felt sluggish, with the SUV's soft suspension causing a rear-end squat under hard throttle. The engine's strained note and the TRD Pro’s noisy exhaust were unpleasant, and handling woes persisted with significant body roll and residual bounces over rough surfaces.

Yet, the 4Runner’s soft suspension absorbed large road imperfections well, crucial for off-road comfort. Heavy cargo dampened its bounciness, making it somewhat more stable.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in base trim, boasted an elegant interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. A panoramic glass roof added to the luxurious atmosphere, controlled conveniently by a one-touch swipe. Higher trims offered features like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated and massaging front seats, and enhanced lighting.

Interior comfort was a highlight, with adjustable lower leg support bolsters and a commanding driving position. Sightlines were excellent, though the climate control system struggled in high temperatures, especially in electric-only mode. The XC90 accommodated seven passengers or six with optional captain's chairs. The third row, while tight for adults, was surprisingly accommodating.

Storage space was adequate but not exceptional. With the seats in use, cargo space was limited. Folding the third row offered up to 65.5 cubic feet, and with the second row down, 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

In contrast, the 4Runner's interior clearly displayed its age. The layout, while intuitive, featured large, simple controls suited for use with gloves, catering to its rugged nature. Handles ensured passenger stability during off-road excursions. Visibility was excellent, with expansive front views critical for off-roading.

The front seats were spacious but lacked adequate steering wheel reach for taller drivers. The second row offered ample legroom, though headroom was tight for taller passengers due to stadium-style seating. A third row was available on select trims.

The 4Runner was equipped for long trips with numerous storage spaces, including door pockets, dashboard pockets, cupholders, and an armrest bin. Cargo capacity was notable, with up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 89.7 cubic feet with seats stowed. However, accessing the full cargo space required manual seat adjustments. The load floor was almost flat, convenient for various uses, including camping. Though lacking a powered liftgate, the 4Runner featured a handy sliding rear window and party speakers inside the hatch.

Volvo’s 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with Google Built-in technology, offered a comprehensive suite of functionalities including Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant for voice control. These features were complimentary for four years. Despite its smaller size compared to modern standards, the screen’s proximity to the driver and intuitive interface made it user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM were also standard, with high-end audio systems available.

The digital assistant recognized commands effectively, though occasional adjustments to prompts were necessary. The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, though its controls weren’t always intuitive. Optional upgrades included a head-up display and a surround-view camera.

For the Toyota 4Runner, the infotainment basics were covered with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the eight-inch touchscreen felt small and outdated. It lacked off-road-specific apps and gauges found in some competitors. The TRD Pro's JBL audio system offered robust sound, though external noises often overshadowed finer audio details.

Terrain controls were placed in the headliner console, labeled with pictograms. Understanding these controls fully required referring to the owner’s manual. The Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems, along with differential controls, added off-road capability but necessitated some learning for optimal use.

Volvo’s reputation for safety was upheld with the 2024 XC90, reflecting in its five-star NHTSA rating for most assessments, except rollover resistance which was rated four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023. However, the XC90 lagged in advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), offering standard features but lacking innovation and hands-free driving systems. Pilot Assist, Volvo’s adaptive cruise control and lane-centering system, worked adequately but had notable flaws, such as incorrect steering during exits.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings. NHTSA granted it four out of five stars overall, struggling in rollover tests with three stars. The IIHS echoed these sentiments, with “Good” ratings in certain tests and concerning scores in newer tests.

Safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera, though the 4Runner's systems were often overly sensitive and required adjustments for an optimal experience.