2024 Hyundai Tucson vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model showcased a purposeful yet understated aesthetic, with a stout front end and a grille that was assertive without being ostentatious. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's dimensions remained somewhat rectilinear, but it was far from resembling a toaster. The Ultimate trim featured 21-inch wheels and a sophisticated Platinum Grey paint with subtle brown undertones, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather steering, metal speaker covers, a crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather seats. The minimalist interior design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and refined atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson continued to impress with its bold styling, characterized by taut angles and unique design choices like headlights integrated into the grille. This cohesive design language resulted in a contemporary and handsome package, even in the test vehicle's white colour. The Tucson's athletic presence was further emphasized by its contrasting angles and well-executed headlight integration. Unlike some luxury brands, Hyundai maintained a distinct style for each of its vehicles. The Tucson's interior was modern and refined, with a focus on technology that felt approachable. While some controls were less intuitive, the overall layout was user-friendly. The Tucson offered a range of trims, each with its own set of features, from the base Preferred to the well-equipped Ultimate trim, which included advanced driver assistance technologies and premium amenities.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced the B6 engine, a mild-hybrid powertrain that replaced the older T5 and T6 engines. This new setup offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, slightly less than its predecessor but with improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery to power a 13-volt starter generator, reducing the engine's load and enhancing the fuel-saving auto stop-start technology. The XC90 delivered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its size, the XC90 handled corners well, and its brakes inspired confidence. However, it lacked customizable driving dynamics, focusing on simplicity instead.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson Preferred came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled to deliver quick acceleration on highways, making passing maneuvers challenging. For more power, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid offered 226 and 261 horsepower, respectively. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, providing a comfortable and composed driving experience. Its steering was precise, and it absorbed road imperfections well, making it suitable for long trips or daily commutes.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a serene and pleasant front-seat experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some storage limitations. The lack of dedicated space for small items, such as a cell phone, and the small centre console bin were notable drawbacks. While the second row was comfortable and spacious, accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90 provided 356 litres of cargo space with all seats in use, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded and 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. However, these figures fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Tucson excelled in cargo space, offering up to 2,119 litres with the rear seats folded and 1,097 litres with them in use. The Tucson's hands-free power liftgate, available on higher trims, added convenience for loading and unloading. The Tucson accommodated up to five passengers comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were particularly spacious, making it suitable for long journeys. The cabin featured deep cup holders and a centre tray with a wireless charging pad, enhancing practicality.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard system. It integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, offering seamless natural-language recognition. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions, such as adjusting the driver's seat or turning on the heated steering wheel, could be frustrating. While the minimalist design was appealing, more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated. Keyless entry was standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson boasted a fully digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. While the layout was intuitive, the lack of wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay was a drawback. The haptic volume toggle was less user-friendly than traditional controls, but the touchscreen and buttons worked well with gloves. Hyundai's remote start system was convenient, allowing drivers to start the vehicle remotely and drive off without pressing the start button.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology provided additional support, maintaining distance from the car ahead and assisting with lane-keeping.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Ultimate trim added front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Hyundai's Smart Park feature. The Tucson received a "Good" rating in most IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" score for crash-prevention technology. The NHTSA awarded it five stars in a frontal crash test and four stars in a rollover test.