2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring. It stood out among midsize SUVs with its distinctive design, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The character line along its side, reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and Lexus-like taillights added to its unique appearance. The Highlander XSE trim, with its aggressive front end and 20-inch wheels, aimed to blend sportiness with practicality, although it leaned more towards luxury, especially in the Limited trim. Inside, the Highlander Limited boasted near-flawless fit and finish, with tan leather seats and dark brown trim, making it a comfortable and upscale choice for families.

The 2022 Volvo XC90, on the other hand, showcased a sleek and modern design, moving away from the boxy shapes of its predecessors. Its body appeared poised to launch forward, with a long, sleek roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasizing athleticism. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian luxury, featuring natural wood and metal trim, a clear crystal gear selector handle, and a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, although our test car came with Nappa leather seats, which proved comfortable during a week of high temperatures and humidity.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. While it wasn't designed for drag races, it provided smooth and predictable performance, making it a reliable choice for family transportation. The Highlander Hybrid was also available for those seeking better fuel efficiency. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, enhancing driving excitement without compromising comfort.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options. The T5 model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model featured a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The T5 was available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, while the T6 and T8 were all-wheel drive only. The T8's electric motor provided early torque, eliminating turbo lag and ensuring smooth power delivery. The XC90's handling was impressive for its size, with minimal body roll and controlled performance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storing large cell phones, with a pass-through for charging cords. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, and the seats could be adjusted to maximize space for the middle or third row. However, the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered 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 children but lacked legroom for adults. Cargo capacity was 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows down. The XC90 could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof, making it a pleasant environment for long trips.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while the Limited trim offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen as an option. The Platinum trim had the larger screen as standard. Both systems were user-friendly, but the navigation system struggled with points of interest. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the lineup. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but some apps were limited to an 8-inch rectangle, raising questions about its value.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. While intuitive, it could be glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay worked better, and the system also supported Android Auto. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel was customizable and offered crisp graphics. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, 360-degree camera system, and advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon sound system could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system, known for its surround sound staging. The XC90 also had multiple USB ports and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of 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. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.