2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, adding character to its traditionally conservative styling. While maintaining its recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring matte-finish wood trim and unique upholstery options like wool, alongside high-end touches such as an Orrefors crystal shifter.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner stayed true to its rugged roots, maintaining its connection to the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Unlike many modern SUVs that have shifted to car-based platforms, the 4Runner retained its traditional SUV construction, appealing to those who ventured off-road. Its design emphasized function, with a high ride height, boxy proportions, and a sharply angled front bumper. Inside, the 4Runner's cabin reflected its age, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 4Runner offered various trims, including the Trail, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, each catering to different preferences and needs, from off-road capabilities to road-oriented features.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centred around 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, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric motors, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. While the XC90 provided ample power, its small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90's ride quality was excellent, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and it offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While the engine was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome on paved roads, with noticeable body roll. However, off-road, the 4Runner excelled, with its suspension effortlessly absorbing rough terrain. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured additional off-road capabilities, such as Crawl Control and a locking differential. The 4Runner's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, comparable to the XC90.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and seats in the second and third rows lacked support. The XC90's interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power sunroof and upright roof profile. Up front, the Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 317 litres with all seats in place, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided a maximum of 2,540 litres of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model offered slightly less space, with 2,514 litres maximum and 254 litres behind the rear seats. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window. While the cabin wasn't as spacious as modern SUVs, it offered ample storage for gear.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. It also offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. The touchscreen was user-friendly, but the text was difficult to read while driving, and the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. While the system was straightforward, it lacked advanced features like a head-up display. The tactile controls were beneficial for off-road driving, but the system felt dated compared to more modern offerings.

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

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. It earned four stars in frontal and side-impact testing from the NHTSA but only three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner came with a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.