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 from the past, giving it a classic Subaru look. The Forester came in various trims, with the Touring trim being the most visually appealing due to its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The interior featured Saddle Brown leather, metallic accents, and a mix of traditional buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly. However, the abundance of hard plastic and a busy design both inside and out highlighted its utilitarian nature.

In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication. Available in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 models, it offered a range of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option. The XC90's exterior was characterized by a subdued and earthy color palette, with chrome and polished metal accents. Inside, the Ultimate trim featured rich materials like wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, complemented by an Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim. The XC90's interior design, though slightly dated, was elegant and allowed for customization to suit individual preferences.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT mimicked a traditional automatic with eight programmed ratios, and the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. Most trims, except the Base, included an X-Mode off-road traction management system with various driving modes. The Forester Touring, tested in challenging weather conditions, demonstrated its capability on flooded roads and muddy trails, inspiring confidence in its all-weather performance. Despite its adequate power, the Forester's engine was louder than expected, and its fuel economy fell short of the EPA rating, achieving 25.9 mpg instead of the expected 29 mpg.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, delivering a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. This power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The XC90 offered 32 miles of electric-only range and averaged 27 mpg in hybrid mode. However, during testing, it achieved only 24.5 mpg. The XC90's performance was lively, with a five-second 0-60 mph time in Power mode, but its handling was more suited to luxury than sporty driving. The ride quality was firm, and the cabin wasn't as quiet as expected for a luxury SUV.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering practicality and simplicity. It featured a panoramic glass sunroof, power-adjustable seats, and various upholstery options, including StarTex artificial leather and genuine leather. The Forester's high seating position and excellent visibility made it easy to drive and park. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting led to solar heating, and the rear seats lacked comfort for taller passengers. Interior storage was plentiful, and the cargo area offered 26.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in its base Core trim, was well-equipped 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 offered additional features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90's interior was comfortable, with a commanding driving position and good visibility. However, the climate control system struggled to cool the cabin in hot weather. The XC90 accommodated seven passengers, with adequate interior storage and up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and commands.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 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 14-speaker Harman Kardon or a 19-speaker 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 optional head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2023 Subaru Forester introduced the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. It included features like Automatic Emergency Steering and Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) on higher trims. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with some areas of concern in new tests. The NHTSA awarded it five-star crash-test ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. While it lacked innovative ADAS features, it included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. However, Pilot Assist occasionally struggled with certain road conditions, leading to a loss of confidence in its reliability.