Toyota RAV4 vs Volvo XC90

Volvo sold the 2024 XC90 in three model series: B5, B6, and Recharge T8. The XC90 B5 was equipped with a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 added a supercharger to enhance performance. The most advanced, the XC90 Recharge T8, was a plug-in hybrid that delivered the highest performance, offered the best efficiency, and provided an estimated electric-only range of 32 miles. Each model came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Volvo offered these models in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $56,000 to $79,600 before a $1,195 destination charge. Our test vehicle, the Recharge T8 in Ultimate trim, featured seven-passenger seating, the Lounge Package with massaging front seats and a premium headliner, active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch. The total manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) was $89,145, including the destination charge.

Volvo's expertise in color and materials was evident in the subdued and earthy exterior paint palette, perfectly complementing a luxury SUV that emphasized practicality, safety, and sustainability. Wheel designs ranged up to 21 inches, with most versions adopting a Bright theme featuring chrome and polished metal. This aesthetic stood in stark contrast to the overdone, blacked-out trend prevalent in many other SUVs.

Despite the XC90’s somewhat dated interior design, it was lavishly appointed, particularly in Ultimate trim. Rich materials like Volvo’s wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather in various colors added a touch of luxury. The Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim further elevated the cabin’s aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, Volvo allowed buyers more customization options, enabling them to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery to suit individual preferences.

Toyota aimed to make the 2024 RAV4 appear tougher than it was. Sporting an aggressive front facade with angular gray body cladding, dual exhaust outlets hinted at performance it didn’t possess. Upper trim levels featured faux front and rear skid plates, and off-road-themed versions boasted more robust utility-style roof racks.

Our test vehicle was the TRD Off-Road model, which topped the lineup with a base price of $38,295, plus a $1,350 destination charge. The test vehicle's Army Green color was standard without additional cost. It included a digital rearview mirror and the Advanced Technology and Weather option packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,925.

The RAV4 ranged in price from $28,675 for the LE to $38,295 for the TRD Off-Road. Hybrid versions added two to three thousand dollars more, offering better performance and fuel efficiency.

The interior of the RAV4 focused on utility and practicality, featuring full-width shelving across the dashboard, robust door handles, easy-clean surfaces, and rubber-lined storage areas. The TRD Off-Road trim came with SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Optional Weather packages included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers with a de-icer system, and standard heated side mirrors.

Despite the utilitarian focus, the RAV4’s driver’s seat and the steering wheel were designed for comfort. The back seats could comfortably seat four adults or five in a pinch, with decent legroom and footroom, soft front seatbacks, rear air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a fold-down center armrest with cupholders.

To create the 2024 XC90 Recharge T8, Volvo integrated an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the B6 model. This combination generated 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Recharge T8 could deliver 32 miles of electric-only driving thanks to its battery, electric motor, and Pure driving mode. As a hybrid, it averaged 27 mpg in combined driving. In Power mode, Volvo estimated it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Charging the T8 was straightforward: it took about 12 hours using a standard household outlet, but a 240-volt, 16-amp outlet could reduce that time by more than half.

The XC90 Recharge T8 offered multiple driving modes including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road. Each mode adapted power delivery and suspension settings to optimize performance and efficiency. The Recharge T8 test vehicle, when driven solely in Pure mode on a sweltering day, delivered 28 miles instead of the estimated 33 miles of electric range and averaged 24.5 mpg after the gas engine turned on, slightly underperforming the EPA rating.

During regular suburban use, the XC90’s electric range sufficed for most short trips, making it an efficient choice for daily errands. However, the electric performance waned as the battery approached its minimum charge, and the gas engine increasingly assisted.

The XC90’s powertrain shone when the gas engine kicked in, revealing a lively and responsive vehicle. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a performance SUV; it lacked sharp handling and felt overly firm on irregular pavement, partially due to the 21-inch wheels. The aging vehicle architecture allowed too much cabin noise and shimmy for a modern luxury SUV near the $90,000 mark.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, unless the torque-vectoring AWD system was chosen. The TRD Off-Road model, our test vehicle, came standard with AWD and boasted off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires on 18-inch matte-black TRD alloy wheels.

The TRD Off-Road’s Multi-Terrain Select system included Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt driving modes. It had the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance as other RAV4 models and didn’t offer better approach or departure angles. This was evident when the lower front fascia scraped against a dirt berm during a photo break, slightly damaging the plastic and paint.

The off-road suspension excelled in daily driving, absorbing speed humps and imperfect pavement smoothly. However, the RAV4 was noisy at freeway speeds despite the all-terrain tires. The 2.5-liter engine, though powerful for a compact crossover, required hard revving to access its full potential, and while it had a reputation for dependability, it sounded loud and unrefined.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road boasted an EPA rating of 28 mpg combined but averaged 26.6 mpg during the evaluation, which included mild off-roading. The RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition offered a higher EPA rating of 37 mpg, making it a more fuel-efficient choice.

The 2024 XC90 Recharge T8 came well-equipped even in Core trim, featuring power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system with PM2.5 air purification. A panoramic glass roof added a touch of elegance, and its intuitive one-touch swipe control operated the sunshade effortlessly.

As one moved up to Plus and Ultimate trims, amenities such as a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, upgraded interior lighting, an integrated booster child seat, and rear door sunshades were available.

The front seats included adjustable lower leg support bolsters, which might catch on shorts when entering the vehicle. Once seated, there was a learning curve to using the power seat adjustments, but the comfort was unparalleled. The driving position offered a commanding view and excellent sightlines.

However, the climate control system faced challenges on hot days, struggling to maintain the set 68 degrees until the gas engine activated.

The XC90 provided seating for seven or six with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The second-row bench seat was comfortable, with individual climate zones and heating for outboard positions. Third-row access was tight for adults, though the seats were more accommodating than expected.

Interior storage was adequate but not generous. With the third-row seats occupied, cargo space was minimal. Folding down the third-row revealed up to 65.5 cubic feet of space, and with the second-row folded, it expanded to 85.7 cubic feet.

The 2024 RAV4 prioritized practicality and utility. Its interior was filled with storage shelves, trays, bins, nooks, and crannies, featuring rubberized control knobs and robust door handles. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Optional Weather packages added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers with a de-icer system, and standard heated side mirrors.

The driver’s seat and steering wheel were designed for comfort, offering excellent outward visibility, particularly with the optional digital rearview mirror. The back seats could accommodate four adults comfortably and five if needed. Rear leg support was lacking, but soft front seatbacks, decent legroom, rear air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a fold-down center armrest with cupholders compensated for it.

The RAV4’s cargo area was substantial, offering 37.6 cubic feet with the seats up and expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down, both competitive figures in the segment.

The 2024 XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, including Google Maps, Google Play, and the Google Assistant voice recognition tool. These features were complimentary for four years, after which subscription payments were needed. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with three months of complimentary SiriusXM service.

Optional audio systems included a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins high-end audio system with various sound modes.

Though the touchscreen was smaller than many modern systems, its proximity to the driver mitigated this issue. The interface was more intuitive than previous Volvo systems, and essential controls like the stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons were wisely retained.

Voice commands roused the digital assistant, which generally performed well, though occasionally required different prompts to achieve the desired result. The XC90 Recharge T8 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2024 RAV4 was equipped with the latest Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring an 8-inch or available 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five connected services plans. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, while Remote Connect and Drive Connect were complimentary for one year. Wi-Fi Connect turned the RAV4 into an internet hotspot with a free three-month data plan.

Using this infotainment system in other Toyota and Lexus models revealed its sophistication when all connected services were active. However, the lack of a multi-panel Home screen caused unnecessary distractions, and switching from Apple CarPlay to SiriusXM required a voice command. The display's font on the white daytime background was hard to read.

The digital voice assistant generally performed well, though it was inaudible in some situations, and the system failed to find hospitals when asked urgently.

The JBL premium audio system was optional, and while the standard speakers were decent, they wouldn’t satisfy true audiophiles. An optional digital rearview mirror offered clear rear visibility, while the available panoramic surround-view camera with perimeter scanning wasn’t included in our test vehicle.

Volvo and safety are synonymous. The automaker's pioneering of the three-point seatbelt in the 1950s was just the beginning of its long history of safety innovations. The 2024 XC90 exemplified this dedication, earning five-star ratings in every assessment from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) except rollover resistance, where it received four stars, a typical rating for SUVs. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023.

However, the XC90 lagged behind competitors in advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). It included standard safety features and unique ones like large-animal detection and a driver alert system for moving traffic but offered nothing groundbreaking for the 2024 model year. Volvo didn't provide a hands-free driving assistance system for the XC90, offering Pilot Assist instead, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist.

Pilot Assist generally performed well but struggled with curves and passing lanes on the PCH and inaccurately issued lane-departure warnings on rural roads. A significant error occurred when exiting the freeway, where Pilot Assist attempted to steer back onto the highway, shaking confidence in the technology.

The 2024 RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a comprehensive suite of ADAS. However, the base LE trim didn't include a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, which was crucial. The TSS 2.5 system performed adequately, though the lane-centering assist feature turned off and on frequently on curved roads, indicating it was more suited for straight highways.

In moderate traffic, the adaptive cruise control smoothly managed distances but applied excessive braking when slower vehicles cut in. Besides some inaccurate lane-departure warnings, the TSS 2.5 system worked well.

Unfortunately, the RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS due to stricter criteria and the current-generation RAV4’s design and engineering age. It received a Marginal rating in the latest small overlap frontal-impact crash test and an Acceptable rating in the latest side-impact test, indicating the need for an all-new model.