2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while introducing more character. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines, increased chrome, and distinctive LED headlights featuring "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most eye-catching, while the R-Design offered a sportier look with a new gloss-black grille surround. The XC90 was built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, shared with other models in the "90" and "60" series, and its interior embodied "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. Despite its spacious interior, the Highlander appeared smaller from the outside. The XSE trim stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander offered a range of trims, from the base LE with standard AWD and 18-inch wheels to the upscale Limited and Platinum trims, which included premium features like a panoramic moonroof and a JBL audio system. The Highlander's interior was designed for practicality, with clever storage solutions and ample cabin space.

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, increasing 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. All models came with standard AWD in Canada. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' six-cylinder or V8 engines. The XC90 excelled in luxury, offering a smooth ride with its optional air-suspension system and maintaining a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms, suitable for moderate loads.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Highlander offered Sport, Normal, and Eco drive modes, along with Mud/Sand and Rock modes for the AWD system. The V6 engine provided better pickup at cruising speeds, with a throaty exhaust note during acceleration. The Highlander's handling was commendable, with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while maintaining comfort. The Highlander could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, with a max payload of 775 kilograms in the LE trim.

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 air quality. The Inscription trim offered 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage, 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 both rows down. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 2,387 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, 1,370 litres with the second row in use, and 453 litres with all seats deployed. The Highlander featured quick-release latches for easy seat folding and a power liftgate on trims above the base LE. The cabin offered ample storage, with deep door pockets and various trays and compartments. The XSE trim included second-row captain’s chairs, creating a centre aisle to the third row, which was less spacious for adults.

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. It included Bluetooth, USB ports, and an optional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the text was sometimes hard to read while driving. A wireless charging pad was added for 2021, but it was not compatible with most phones.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The system was straightforward, with hard buttons for ease of use. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and USB ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 11-speaker JBL stereo system were available.

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

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and dynamic radar cruise control. It included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. Optional features included parking sensors and a surround-view monitor. The Highlander was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.