2022 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company underwent a significant transformation, developing new vehicle platforms from scratch. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose recalled the classic 245 wagon's upright grille. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, with exquisite details like a sliding wood tambor cover and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered both Nappa leather and a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, with the latter being a sustainable option.

Ford made several changes to the 2022 Expedition, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment tech. The front featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, while the rear received revised taillights, tailgate trim, and a new bumper. Redesigned wheels were introduced across the model lineup. The 2022 Expedition came in various trims, including the new Timberline trim for off-road enthusiasts, which added 4WD, all-terrain tires, and other off-roading tech.

Inside, the Expedition had a redesigned dashboard housing the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The test vehicle, a Limited Stealth Edition, featured a 15.5-inch touchscreen display, leather seats, and a host of options, bringing the MSRP to $80,155. The twin-turbo V6 engine provided addictive power, though it guzzled gas, resulting in an observed fuel economy of 16.2 mpg. The Expedition excelled on the highway, offering a comfortable and quiet ride, making it ideal for long road trips.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, and the T8 plug-in hybrid. The T5 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 combined the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were AWD only. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The T5 FWD models achieved an EPA rating of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, while the T5 AWD models were rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD models achieved 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 had a combined rating of 27 mpg on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended-range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. Charging the battery took about five hours at 240 volts. The XC90 handled well for its size, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque (400 hp and 480 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel). The Stealth Edition Performance Package increased output to 440 hp and 510 lb-ft. The V6 engine drove the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with optional 4WD. Fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg combined, and the Expedition could tow between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, depending on the model and equipment.

The twin-turbo V6 provided addictive power, with a signature sound different from a traditional V8. However, the engine's thirst for fuel resulted in an observed fuel economy of 16.2 mpg. The Expedition's sport-tuned suspension in the Stealth Edition contributed to a sometimes harsh ride quality, but the SUV was easy to park and excelled on the highway, offering a comfortable and quiet ride for long trips.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 offered 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered exceptional comfort and ease of access, thanks to available power running boards. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a wide console with ample storage. The second-row captain's chairs provided plenty of legroom and individual climate controls. The third-row seat was easy to access and offered outstanding leg support, though headroom could be tight for taller passengers. The Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max provided even more cargo space.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay worked better, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy customization, and the $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 included USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured the next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen, while Sync 4A offered a larger 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, natural voice recognition, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, wireless smartphone charging, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. The Sync 4A system had some quirks, such as accidental activation of the defroster function and issues with the voice-recognition system. The Expedition also offered an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came with a comprehensive list of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to provide assisted driving on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Ford Expedition grouped its driving-assistance systems into three Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, speed-limit-sign recognition, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package, standard on higher trims, included a surround-view camera system, rear automatic emergency braking, and Active Park Assist 2.0. The Expedition also offered Road Edge Detection and BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-centering assist had some issues, particularly in heavier traffic.