2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars of the past, maintaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the brand developed new vehicle platforms, leading to the current lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The 2022 XC90, launched as a 2016 model, was Volvo's flagship SUV, riding on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. It featured a sleek, athletic design with a long roofline, pronounced wheel arches, and a snub nose reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. The interior boasted "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" aesthetics, with natural wood and metal trim, a clear crystal gear selector handle, and options for Nappa leather or tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, with its fourth-generation JL design, exuded a rugged, no-nonsense aesthetic. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler allowed for door removal and offered half doors for better visibility. The windshield could fold down, and various top options enabled open-air exploration. The Wrangler's design included wide fenders, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The new Reign purple paint color added a unique flair, while the Earl gray shade provided a subtle aquamarine highlight. Inside, the Wrangler featured easy-to-clean floor mats and seats, a body-colored dash, chunky HVAC controls, and a manual transfer case shifter.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the T8 plug-in hybrid combining a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft. The T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T8 had an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range, while the extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler catered to off-road enthusiasts with solid axles front and rear and optional differential lockers. Engine options included a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft, and the high-performance Rubicon 392 with a 6.4-liter V8 producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered two electric motors and a 17.3 kWh battery pack for 21 miles of all-electric range. The Rubicon 392, with its full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) and Off-Road Plus button, could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less impressive, with vague steering and inadequate braking power. Other Wrangler models had better-suited brakes and more precise steering.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 accommodated six or seven passengers, depending on the configuration. The third row was suitable for children 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 the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but rear seating was tight, especially in the four-door models. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash, small glove box, and center console. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or in two front panels, and the Sunrider option provided a half soft top. The soft top was easy to remove, but the plastic rear window could be challenging in cold weather. The Sky One-Touch power soft top allowed for quick open-air access. The Wrangler featured multiple charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen, offering tablet-like functionality with pinch, pull, and swipe gestures. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. The vehicle included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen. The system featured off-road pages with information about power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The Wrangler offered a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket lighting. However, it lacked a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's commitment to safety, with features like 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 for highway driving. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from the IIHS, with some trims' headlights rated Poor. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash tests and three out of five for rollover ratings.