2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Volvo XC60

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, enhancing its sporty appearance with a new front fascia featuring "air blades" and a redesigned rear bumper that concealed the tailpipes. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind the heated Volvo logo, ensuring functionality in cold weather. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, maintaining a clean interior design with a new digital instrument cluster. While the B6 R-Design model added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, the overall interior remained subdued compared to other Volvo models.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler maintained its rugged, no-nonsense design with a boxy exterior and iconic seven-slot grille. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, the Wrangler allowed for door removal and offered a Dual-Door Group option for enhanced visibility. The windshield could fold down, and various top options provided open-air exploration. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The Wrangler introduced new paint colours, including the limited-edition "Reign" purple and "Earl" grey with aquamarine highlights. Inside, the Wrangler featured easy-to-clean materials and a straightforward design, with body-coloured dash and chunky controls.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system, providing an additional 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 version included an electric supercharger, delivering 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The XC60 offered standard all-wheel drive in Canada, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B5 and B6 models achieved 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 and 5.9 seconds, respectively. The XC60 emphasized luxury with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The plug-in hybrid XC60 Recharge offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler excelled in off-road performance with solid axles and optional differential lockers. It offered various engine options, including a Pentastar V6 with 285 hp, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp, and a 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 with 260 hp. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 hp, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid provided 35 kilometres of all-electric range. The 392 model showcased impressive off-road capabilities but had flaws in brakes and steering. The Wrangler's Selec-Trac 4x4 system offered a 2.72 low range, while the Xtreme Recon package increased the crawl ratio to 58:1.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models offered 611 litres of cargo space with rear seats up and 1,410 litres with seats folded, while plug-in hybrids had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, with heated options available in specific trims. The rear seat was tight, especially in four-door models, and rear doors were small. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and small glove box and centre console. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece, and the soft top was easy to remove, though rear window access could be challenging. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided quick open-air access. The Wrangler featured ample charging points, including USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system integrated Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation, with access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air updates were available, and the system was compatible with iPhones. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, while our tester had an 8.4-inch screen. The system appeared complex initially but was intuitive with off-road pages providing detailed information. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were included. The Wrangler offered practical tech features like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches but lacked advanced options like a digital key. Over-the-air updates applied only to the Uconnect system.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for 2022, but the 2021 model received top ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. An optional driver assistance system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centring.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered limited standard safety features, including a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning were standard only on top trims or available as options. The IIHS gave mixed ratings, with some trims receiving Poor headlight rankings. The NHTSA rated the Wrangler four stars for frontal crash and three stars for rollover, with no side crash rating.