2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing, it presented a more refined appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that blended seamlessly with the overall design. The interior of the XC90 was a testament to Swedish minimalism, offering high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged cabin. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a high-end feel, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander embraced a bold design with its "Dynamic Shield" grille and lighting concept, presenting a striking front face. The Outlander was available in various trim levels, with 18-inch alloy wheels on the lower grades and 20-inch wheels standard on the higher trims. The interior of the Outlander adhered to minimalist principles, featuring black with authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim. The GT Premium trim offered premium semi-aniline leather with quilting and contrast stitching, enhancing the upscale look. However, some interior plastics reminded occupants of the Outlander's position in the SUV hierarchy, and the ride quality was less forgiving over rough surfaces.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the XC90 provided ample power, the small engine struggled to deliver flexibility compared to competitors with larger engines. The XC90's ride quality was excellent, aided by an optional air-suspension system, and it offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The Outlander offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. However, the engine's power was insufficient for confident highway acceleration or passing maneuvers. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, resulting in a less comfortable ride over uneven surfaces. The Outlander returned a fuel consumption rate of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90 featured a power sunroof, four-zone climate control, and a filtration system for improved air quality. The front seats offered 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The rear seat offered generous space and comfort, with the ability to slide for additional cargo room. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo capacity was 331 litres with the third row in use, 948 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,217 litres with the panoramic sunroof. However, the centre console lacked storage space, and the third row's proximity to the tailgate raised safety concerns for children.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that was easy to use. However, the text and typeface made reading menus difficult while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones. The XC90 also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed head-up display, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay. The GT Premium trim included a 10-speaker Bose audio system, delivering impressive sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled to understand commands while driving, likely due to road noise.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan's ProPilot Assist, providing smooth and accurate assistance. It included standard safety features such as forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The IIHS awarded the Outlander a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. However, the steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems could be intrusive.