2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated into the Volvo family with signature design elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct rear bumper, and an exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. Despite these differences, the Recharge maintained a low-key appearance, appealing to those who preferred understated electric vehicles. Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The interior design was cohesive, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending harmoniously, offering a premium feel uncommon in this segment.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid drew styling inspiration from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, evident in its trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged look popular among midsize SUVs. However, the side profile introduced a softer character line, reminiscent of the Toyota Supra and Sienna, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear design echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall body felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander featured an unconventional yet less jarring asymmetrical dash, with a metallic styling element that spanned the passenger side, creating a storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high on the dash for easy visibility. The Bronze Edition test vehicle introduced a light grey fabric seat upholstery with a triangle motif, which seemed more suited to paper towels than car interiors. The fabric attracted dirt and stains, raising durability concerns. Other trims offered more conventional materials, with genuine leather available only on the top trims. The rear seating area used more hard plastics for durability, typical of family SUVs, but the third row's unyielding armrest was uncomfortable.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It used a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity. Volvo quoted a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds for the Recharge, 6.1 seconds for the T5, and 8.1 seconds for the T4. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge excelled in luxury, emphasizing quiet and comfort over speed, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It offered one-pedal driving using regenerative braking and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT and standard FWD. AWD was available through a supplemental electric motor powering the rear axle. Toyota estimated a 0 to 60 mph time of just over 8 seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The engine hum was subtle under light acceleration but became a drone under heavy load, especially on hills. Braking was traditional, with a soft pedal feel and seamless transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over bumps, and the cabin remained quiet on highways. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort over sportiness, making it a suitable choice for families.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it was not particularly spacious, with less legroom and headroom than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments for drivers of all sizes, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and a large center armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, accommodating tall passengers with ease, and offered sliding and reclining options for added comfort. A second-row bench increased passenger capacity to eight. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips due to limited headroom and legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row stowed.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge was the first XC40 variant with OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without dealership visits. It lacked a start button, using a key fob for ignition, and a Digital Key feature was anticipated in future updates.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. The system was responsive, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons for ease of use. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, with wireless charging on XLE trims and above. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system, with options available for other models.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. A surround view camera system and adaptive headlights were exclusive to the Platinum trim. The safety systems generally performed well but required some fine-tuning for smoother operation.