2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines, increased chrome detailing, 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 most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Built on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture, the XC90 shared its platform with other Volvo models, emphasizing its crossover nature.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," offering a refined interior with high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and unique touch, contrasting with the more common lacquered finishes in other luxury vehicles. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin. The XC90's interior was designed to be functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a focus on comfort and simplicity.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, continued its long-standing design with minimal changes since its last major update in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia maintained a classic and tasteful exterior, with modestly sized grilles and elegant wheel arches. Its dimensions were substantial, contributing to its imposing presence, while the optional running boards aided accessibility. The Sequoia's interior, however, showed its age, with a flat and old-fashioned dashboard design and a smaller 7-inch touchscreen compared to modern standards. Despite this, the Sequoia's interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and a focus on durability, making it suitable for families.

The Sequoia's Nightshade Special Edition, based on the Limited model, showcased Toyota's efforts to keep the SUV relevant, offering a unique appearance package. However, the Sequoia's interior design and technology lagged behind more modern competitors, highlighting the need for a comprehensive update.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options, 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 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. In Canada, all XC90 models came standard with all-wheel drive.

Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to match the flexibility of larger engines found in competitor SUVs. The plug-in hybrid's electric-only mode was limited to low speeds, with the gasoline engine frequently stepping in to assist. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—but the Pure mode was challenging to use effectively. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and provided a quiet cabin experience. Its towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms was respectable, though not class-leading.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia featured a single powertrain option: a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sequoia offered a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential and a two-speed transfer case for 4WD models. This powertrain was known for its durability and reliability, making it a suitable match for the Sequoia's truck-based construction.

The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. However, its weight of approximately 2,721.5 kilograms resulted in higher fuel consumption ratings, with 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 13.9 on the highway. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust construction and independent suspension. The TRD Pro model further enhanced its off-road prowess with Fox shocks.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat and seven-seat configurations, with the option of second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The optional power sunroof and upright roof profile contributed to a spacious feel. The XC90 featured standard four-zone climate control and an optional air filtration system. Up front, the Inscription trim offered 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated seats with massage, though 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 folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. Three-zone climate control catered to all passengers, and a standard power moonroof added to the airy feel. Heated front seats were standard, with heated rear seats available on the Platinum grade. The Sequoia's centre console and glove compartment provided generous storage, and rear passengers had access to cup holders and power outlets. The cargo compartment featured a 12-volt outlet, with 535 litres of space behind the third row, 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and 3,401 litres with both rows folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that was easy to navigate. However, the text and typeface could be challenging to read 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 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen was outclassed by modern digital dashboards. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors, it featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in crash tests and "Superior" ratings for 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 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it featured the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Sequoia also included the STAR safety system, with stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. A full complement of airbags and safety features ensured passenger protection.