2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price. This included a standard four-wheel-drive system, retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020, plus a $1,335 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had an MSRP of $48,455. The 4Runner's design evoked a strong SoCal vibe with its retro stripes and bronze wheels, reminiscent of the 1970s. Its truck-based SUV stance and purposeful interior, despite the abundance of plastic, offered a solid and quality feel. The controls were easy to locate and use, even with gloves on.

Volvo sold the 2024 XC90 in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 model series. The XC90 B5 had a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 added a supercharger for extra performance. The Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid with 32 miles of electric-only range. All models had standard all-wheel drive. The XC90 was available in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims, with prices ranging from $56,000 to $79,600, plus a $1,195 destination charge. The Recharge T8 test vehicle in Ultimate trim featured seven-passenger seating, massaging front seats, a premium headliner, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch, with an MSRP of $89,145. The XC90's exterior paint palette was subdued and earthy, with various appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches. The interior, though dated, was fitted with rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery, ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels unless upgraded to a 4WD system. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 16.9 mpg in the 40 ASE. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system available on the Limited trim. It had a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance and standard Hill-Start Assist Control. Additional off-roading technologies included locking center and rear differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had a suspension designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims had suspensions tuned for off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-roading but had flaws as a daily driver, with leisurely acceleration, heavy and slow steering, and a brake pedal that operated like a light switch.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivered power to all four wheels. The XC90 Recharge T8 offered 32 miles of electric-only driving and an average of 27 mpg in combined driving as a hybrid. In Power mode, it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Recharging took about 12 hours with a standard household outlet or less than six hours with a 240-volt, 16-amp outlet. The XC90 had multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. During testing, the XC90 Recharge T8 provided 28 miles of electric range in hot weather and 24.5 mpg in combined driving. The SUV excelled in everyday use with its electric range but showed a decline in EV performance as the battery approached its minimum state of charge. The XC90 Recharge T8 offered plenty of power and a good-sounding powertrain but lacked thrilling handling and had a firm ride on irregular pavement.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's back window powered down into the tailgate, providing an immersive driving experience with the sunroof and windows open. The 4Runner's seats were comfortable, with heated front cushions in the 40 ASE test vehicle. Storage locations were numerous but lacked rubber liners, causing items to slide and rattle. The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The third-row seat option was uncomfortable and took up cargo space. The tailgate bumper doubled as a seat, and the cargo area had several storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in Core trim, was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system with PM2.5 air purification. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims offered additional features like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, but their winged shape could catch on shorts when entering the SUV. The XC90's climate control system struggled to cool the cabin in Pure mode on a hot day. The XC90 seated seven people, with a comfortable second-row bench seat and a tight but accommodating third-row seat. Interior storage was adequate, and the XC90 offered up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the third-row seat folded and 85.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat dropped.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Connected services plans were available with complimentary trial subscriptions, and the 4Runner could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition performed well, handling most commands accurately.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, including Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The XC90 offered a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins high-end audio system. The infotainment system was more intuitive than previous Volvo systems, and the XC90's cabin included a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The digital voice assistant generally performed well, though sometimes required different prompts. The XC90 Recharge T8 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was known for its safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA in every assessment except rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. The XC90's advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) included Pilot Assist, which paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. Pilot Assist struggled with curves and lane markings but generally worked smoothly. However, it made a substantial error during testing, shaking confidence in the technology. The XC90 also included a large-animal detection system and a notification system for distracted drivers.