2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, maintaining its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. Inside, the Defender balanced ruggedness with luxury, incorporating bare metal and exposed screws alongside leather and suede upholstery, making it both stylish and practical for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's past "rolling brick" designs. The XC90's purposeful yet understated front end, assertive grille, and signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern flair absent in earlier models. The XC90's dimensions leaned toward rectilinear, but it was far from the boxy designs of the past. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with rich undertones. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal speaker covers, a crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and sophisticated interior.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, delivering 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, impressive ground clearance, and the optional Terrain Response 2 system. On-road, the Defender was comfortable, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from its large tires.

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 mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine, featuring a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency slightly and enhanced smoothness. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle handled corners well, and road and wind noise were effectively minimized. The XC90's brakes provided confidence with a solid pedal feel. Unlike many SUVs, the XC90 focused on simplicity, offering front-wheel drive and limited customizable driving dynamics.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations, with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats in the two-door Defender 90, providing limited cargo space but impressive usability. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more options, including two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 70.4 cubic feet available in the two-row version. The interior design emphasized functionality, with easy-to-reach controls and ample storage options, including a large center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior features like a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes added to the Defender's practicality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was characterized by Scandinavian minimalism, which, while elegant, led to some space and storage frustrations. The front seats were comfortable, but storage for smaller items was limited, with no dedicated space for a cell phone. The second row was spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating. Cargo space was competitive, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The XC90's smaller size contributed to its agile driving dynamics, making it feel more like a smaller car than a typical three-row SUV.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The system's graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, though the touchscreen required a firm touch. Optional tech features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Defender's off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering was centered around a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard infotainment system. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were integrated, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. The XC90 also allowed commands via Google Home devices. However, many functions were embedded within the touchscreen interface, leading to some frustration. While the minimalist design was appealing, the lack of physical buttons for certain features was a drawback.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS in 2022. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and supported highway driving. These safety features were standard on the XC90, reinforcing Volvo's reputation for safety.