2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo's SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its design was characterized by an elegant, tailored crossover two-box style with short overhangs and athletic body sides. The front grille prominently displayed Volvo's iron mark logo, flanked by headlights featuring LED daytime running lights shaped like Thor's hammer, a nod to its Swedish heritage. The XC60's paint quality, chrome, and trim were meticulously executed, with large alloy wheels adding to its fashionable appearance. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded a Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a standout feature, complemented by elegant HVAC vents and harmonious textures and colours throughout the interior.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia for a rugged appearance. However, its design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, creating a somewhat disjointed look compared to more cohesive designs in its class. Inside, the Highlander's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high on the dash for easy visibility. The Bronze Edition featured unique elements like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery, though the fabric's durability was a concern. While the Highlander's styling received mixed reviews, its materials quality was adequate for its class, and it remained one of the few hybrids available in its segment.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard across all models in Canada. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 model added a supercharger for 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 model, a plug-in hybrid, combined an 87-horsepower electric motor with the gasoline engine, delivering a total of 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered variant further increased power to 415 horsepower. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided confident handling, and its cabin was quiet and comfortable. Fuel consumption figures ranged from 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city for the T5 to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle when needed. The Highlander Hybrid accelerated to 100 kilometres per hour in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine taking over for more power. The CVT's lack of gear shifts resulted in a droning engine sound, especially when climbing hills. The Highlander's ride quality was soft, and its suspension smoothed out road imperfections. The cabin remained quiet on the highway, making it a comfortable choice for family travel.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with a focus on safety and functionality. Its front seats were highly adjustable, and the heating system excelled in cold weather. The XC60's interior featured smart storage solutions, intuitive controls, and glove-friendly design elements. It offered 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60 was rated to tow up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid provided well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was slightly out of reach. It offered generous storage options, including trays, shelves, and large door pockets. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs for added versatility. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed. Limited and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its tablet-style touchpad interface. It offered a portrait-oriented touchscreen with function quadrants for easy navigation. While intuitive for some, it required a learning curve. Smartphone integration included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system provided exceptional audio quality.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and climate control knobs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasted a strong safety heritage, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision avoidance, lane-keeping aid, and a semi-autonomous driving system called Pilot Assist. Volvo's commitment to safety extended to limiting the XC60's top speed to 180 kilometres per hour.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Platinum trim offered additional features like a surround-view camera and head-up display. While the safety systems generally performed well, some fine-tuning was needed for smoother operation.