2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It presented a purposeful yet understated front end, with a solid grille that was assertive without being flashy. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the overall dimensions leaned toward rectilinear but were far from the toaster-like shapes of old. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding richness and depth. Inside, the XC90 was elegant, with two-tone leather on the steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50, a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, was lower, wider, and longer, with a broader stance emphasized by square wheel arches and fake air vents. Available in eight trim levels, the CX-50 offered 17-inch wheels on lower trims and 20-inch wheels on higher grades. The 2.5 Turbo Meridian Edition, our test car, featured all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim, enhancing its active-lifestyle image. The earthy color palette and Terracotta leather upholstery added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the infotainment screen sat on a shelf, and the material quality was impressive for a non-luxury brand. However, the CX-50's aspirations to move upscale were still a work in progress, with standard half-leatherette seats and manually-adjustable front seats on base models.

For 2023, Volvo introduced the B5 and B6 engines in the XC90, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. Both new powertrains featured mild-hybrid technology, offering minimal fuel-economy benefits but smoother operation. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, like the T6, used a supercharger and turbo, delivering 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system powered a 13-volt starter generator, handling climate control and ignition, making the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology almost imperceptible. The XC90 provided a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration, a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. It lacked extensive off-roader features but performed well in a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine delivered 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane gasoline. A six-speed automatic transmission and AWD were standard, with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes, and a Towing mode on turbo models. The CX-50's towing capacity increased from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds with the turbo engine. While the CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5, it offered a different driving experience, feeling more like other models in its segment. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, and the roof platform contributed to wind noise. Overall, the CX-50 was well-mannered but didn't inspire sporty driving like the CX-5.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful and pleasant experience, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port was located in a small center console bin. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was almost impossible with three seats in place. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row up, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row down, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These figures fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car than typical three-row SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 had similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom in both rows. It offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, trailing the competition in cargo space. The available power liftgate made cargo-area access easier, but the cargo area wasn't friendly for dirty or bulky items. The optional roof platform was high, making it challenging for shorter people to use. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space, a substantial shifter, and Mazda's rotary infotainment controller on the center console. Despite the lack of touchscreen, the rotary controller provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first standard infotainment system of its kind. Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant were standard, with natural-language recognition enhancing the user experience. Owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, making it challenging to adjust features like the heated steering wheel and driver’s seat position. While these issues might fade with daily use, they were noticeable during testing.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, controlled by a rotary controller and buttons on the center console. Wireless Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto required a cable. Higher trims included wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The rotary controller provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road. However, the infotainment system felt dated, with plain graphics and basic functions. This simplicity made the CX-50 a good choice for buyers who didn't want to be overwhelmed by excessive tech.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022. Standard advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance and lane position. These features made the XC90 one of the safest vehicles on the road.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, receiving top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received lower scores for nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian tests and standard headlights. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 model year were incomplete, with five-star frontal crash-test and four-star rollover crash-test ratings. Standard driver-assist tech included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver attention monitor, and emergency lane-keeping with road-keep assist. Optional features included rear automatic braking, traffic-jam assist, and a 360-degree camera system.