2023 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while stepping into the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 version showcased a sleek profile with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches, exuding athleticism. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian Modern and Swedish Luxury, featuring natural wood and metal trim, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a cleaner, more conservative design with a blunt nose and stretched wheelbase, promising longevity in style. The CR-V EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and leather-wrapped interior elements, with a dashboard inspired by the latest Civic. The interior was noted for its quality and simplicity, offering a larger touchscreen infotainment system and additional features like a power rear liftgate. The CR-V's pricing in Canada started at $34,240, with various trims available, including a Touring Hybrid priced at $48,890.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, with T5 models featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. T6 models enhanced this with a supercharged and turbocharged version, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Recharge model combined a supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, achieving 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. All models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and required Premium gasoline. The XC90's driving experience was praised for its minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Honda CR-V retained its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, was noted for its droning noise during hard acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V excelled in ride and handling, with a refined suspension, steering, and brakes. The CR-V achieved impressive fuel economy, averaging 8.1 L/100 km on a mountainous route, according to Natural Resources Canada.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six- or seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. It provided 357 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 1,855 litres with seats folded. The XC90's interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a panoramic moonroof. It excelled in climate control, providing a sanctuary from extreme weather conditions.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was touted as the roomiest yet, with a low seating position in the front and a spacious second row. It offered 1,113 litres of cargo space with the rear load floor panel lowered, expanding to 2,166 litres with the back seat down. The CR-V featured numerous storage options, though some were lined with hard plastic, potentially causing noise. The power tailgate and grocery bag hooks added convenience.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. While intuitive, the system was occasionally glitchy, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The Advanced package included a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system. The XC90 also offered multiple USB ports for device charging.

The 2023 Honda CR-V came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the EX-L trim upgrading to a 9-inch display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and wireless charging. The CR-V's technology was seen as an improvement over previous models, though not exceeding competitors in features.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2023 Honda CR-V improved its driver assist systems with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and new features like Traffic Jam Assist. It was built with Honda's ACE body structure and expected to perform well in crash tests, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation.