2023 Subaru Forester vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat plain exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was reminiscent of many Foresters seen over the years, contributing to its unassuming appearance. The Premier trim, however, added a touch of sophistication with 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Inside, the Forester Premier featured brown leather upholstery, metallic accents, and a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While the interior was busy with a mix of materials and controls, it was user-friendly and easy to clean, emphasizing practicality over aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 exuded a sense of luxury and refinement. Available in B6 and Recharge T8 models, the XC90 featured a subdued and earthy exterior paint palette, with chrome and polished metal accents. The Ultimate trim, in particular, showcased rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, and an Orrefors crystal shift knob. The interior design, though dated, was elegant and allowed for customization of paint, wheels, and upholstery. The XC90's focus on practicality, safety, and sustainability was evident in its design choices, making it a sophisticated choice for those seeking a luxury SUV.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios, and the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. The Forester's X-Mode off-road traction control system, with hill descent control, added to its capability, especially in the Wilderness trim with all-terrain tires. During testing, the Forester Premier handled various weather conditions with ease, showcasing its excellent driving dynamics, light steering, and effective brakes. However, the engine was merely adequate, and the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 9.1 L/100 km compared to the official rating of 8.2 L/100 km.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The SUV offered 53 kilometres of electric-only range and averaged 8.9 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, and Hybrid, allowing for versatile performance. While the XC90 Recharge T8 was quick, with a five-second sprint to 100 km/h, it prioritized luxury over performance. The ride quality was firm, and the handling was not as engaging as some might hope, but the SUV excelled in providing a comfortable and powerful driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and user-friendly interior. The Touring trim included features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Higher trims added leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's excellent outward visibility and easy entry and exit made it a practical choice. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to excessive solar heating, and the rear seats lacked comfort for taller adults. The Forester provided ample cargo space, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and 1,957 litres with the seats folded.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a luxurious interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90's seating for seven was comfortable, though access to the third row was tight for adults. Cargo space was adequate, with up to 1,854 litres behind the second row and 2,426 litres with the second row folded.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system was available. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and other tasks.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 boasted a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, including Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The XC90 offered a choice between a Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The infotainment system was intuitive, and the digital voice assistant was generally effective, though occasional rephrasing was necessary. The XC90 also featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and an available head-up display.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Adaptive cruise control was standard, and higher trims included blind-spot monitoring with Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester's safety systems generally performed well, though the Rear Automatic Braking system could be overly sensitive. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in some new tests.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was known for its safety features, earning five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. While the XC90's advanced driving assistance systems were not groundbreaking, they included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. However, Pilot Assist occasionally struggled with curves and lane markings, and a significant error during testing raised concerns about its reliability.