2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. Our test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Dynamic SE, featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other upgrades, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.29.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a purposeful yet understated design. Its front end appeared stout and solid, with an assertive grille and the recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights adding a modern flair. While the XC90 retained a rectilinear shape, it no longer resembled the boxy Volvos of the past. Our test vehicle, in Ultimate trim with standard all-wheel drive, featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding a touch of drama to its otherwise stoic appearance. The Platinum Grey paint, with brown undertones, added richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look, though the lack of physical controls could be frustrating for some.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The challenge was to create a vehicle capable of off-road adventures while remaining enjoyable on winding roads. The Range Rover Sport offered 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 electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp engine provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, averaging 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 90 cm wading depth. Standard off-road tech included Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control, and hill start and descent control systems.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B6 featured mild-hybrid technology, offering improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. It produced 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than the T6. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery pack to power a 13-volt starter generator, handling functions like climate control and ignition. While not a full hybrid, the XC90's mild-hybrid setup provided advantages over regular gas cars, such as imperceptible auto stop-start technology. The XC90 delivered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with minimal body roll and quick acceleration. Its eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, and road and wind noise were kept at bay. The XC90's brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. Unlike some SUVs, the XC90 didn't offer extensive off-road features, focusing instead on simplicity. It featured a manual shift option and an off-road mode but lacked customizable driving dynamics.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with adjustable armrests. The test vehicle featured Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and optional massage and air purification features. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle, and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited storage space under the cargo floor, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was characterized by Scandinavian minimalism, which led to some space and storage frustrations. The front seats were comfortable, but there was limited cubby space for smaller items. The second row was reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with an option for captain's chairs. Accessing the third row was difficult, and space was limited. With the third row in place, the XC90 offered 356 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded and 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. The XC90 drove like a smaller car, thanks to its compact dimensions.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform could be confusing and frustrating. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the automatic driver exit assist feature was difficult to disable. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but challenging to access.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering included a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The XC90's natural-language recognition was excellent, thanks to Google, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The XC90 featured keyless entry as standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less satisfactory, with slow responses and poor performance on highway curves.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The XC90's Pilot Assist technology helped maintain distance from the car ahead and supported highway driving. These safety features were standard on the XC90.