2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Volvo XC90 marked 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 China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 featured a sleek and athletic profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. Its design elements, such as the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, paid homage to its Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 boasted a "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" aesthetic, with natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple lines. While not flashy, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated luxury with its Eiger Grey paint, silver 23-inch wheels, and Black Exterior Pack. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, coupled with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport offered various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. Its design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 achieving 11.5 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, while the Recharge offered an 8.8 L/100 km combined rating in hybrid mode and a 29-kilometre EV range. The XC90's driving experience was characterized by minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid drivetrain was available in the Autobiography model, offering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Range Rover Sport's performance was enhanced by a new vehicle architecture, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes. It could accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and tow up to 3,500 kilograms. However, its steering lacked involvement, and the Dynamic mode exhibited drivetrain lash and clunking. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with its advanced suspension and impressive ground clearance.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 accommodated six or seven passengers, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults found it lacking in legroom and thigh support. The XC90 offered 357 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,855 litres with the second and third rows folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, making it suitable for light towing needs. The interior featured ample storage, comfortable seating, and a panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed well, even in extreme heat, and the XC90 was equipped with heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, providing a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats offered 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, and the seatback angle was too reclined. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured a power liftgate, a full-size spare, and various storage solutions, including a deep bin under the centre armrest and a handy contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen interface, offering tablet-like functionality and Bluetooth connectivity. While the system was intuitive, it occasionally lagged and was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The Advanced package included a 360-degree camera system and an advanced air cleaner. The XC90 also offered a Harman-Kardon audio system and multiple USB ports for device charging.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems, Active Noise Cancellation, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Despite its technological advancements, the system's digital assistant struggled with basic commands, leading to a less-than-ideal user experience.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Pilot Assist. It received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its Vision 2020 campaign, aiming to eliminate serious injuries and fatalities in its vehicles.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was equipped with numerous safety features, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less refined, with slow responses and poor performance on highway curves. Despite these shortcomings, the Range Rover Sport excelled in off-road safety with features like Wade Sensing and Remote Park Assist.