2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high, reducing driver distraction. The Bronze Edition featured 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery, which attracted dirt and stains, surrounded by Softex synthetic leather that felt more like vinyl.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's past boxy designs. Its front end appeared stout and solid, with an assertive grille and modern "Thor’s Hammer" headlights. The XC90's dimensions leaned toward rectilinear, but it was far from the toaster-like designs of the past. The Ultimate trim featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Grey paint with brown undertones, adding richness. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays, and the cabin was mostly free of physical controls, contributing to a clean look.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The CVT's uninspired drone was noticeable during acceleration, especially uphill. Braking was traditional, with a soft pedal feel and seamless transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over bumps, and the cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though not significantly. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission provided quick acceleration, and the vehicle handled corners well despite its size. Road and wind noise were minimal, thanks to excellent insulation. The brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. The XC90 lacked customizable driving dynamics, focusing on simplicity with a manual shift feature and off-road mode.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with trays, a centre armrest bin, and large door pockets. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain’s chairs or an optional bench for eight-passenger seating. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats provided a peaceful experience, but storage was limited. The small cubby ahead of the cupholders wasn't ideal for phones, and the USB port was in the small centre console bin. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, with a standard bench seat for seven-passenger seating or optional captain’s chairs. Accessing the third row was difficult, and space was limited. Cargo space was 356 litres with the third row in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with the seats folded, and 1,856 litres with all rear seats stowed.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on Limited and Platinum trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system were also standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch vertical touchscreen ran on Google OS, integrating Android Auto features like Google Maps and Google Assistant. The system offered natural-language recognition and could be controlled via Google Home devices. However, many functions were buried in the touchscreen interface, lacking physical buttons for convenience. Keyless entry was standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The systems generally worked well but could use fine-tuning, with abrupt stops and resistance in the steering wheel.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 also received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology helped maintain distance and speed, providing a comprehensive safety package.