2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past design ethos, which was often likened to utilitarian appliances. This model presented a more refined and purposeful aesthetic, with a stout yet understated 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 the toaster-like designs of yesteryear. The Ultimate trim, with its 21-inch wheels and Platinum Grey paint, added a touch of drama and richness to the vehicle's otherwise stoic appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal speaker covers, crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and sophisticated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged counterpart to the CX-5, with a design that emphasized broad-shouldered proportions and square wheel arches. The CX-50 was longer, wider, and lower than the CX-5, with a fresher design that included fake air vents and a more aggressive stance. The Meridian Edition, in particular, enhanced the active-lifestyle image with all-terrain tires, a black hood graphic, and pronounced rocker-panel trim. The earthy colour palette and Terracotta leather upholstery added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the CX-50 offered a pleasing design with impressive material quality for a non-luxury brand. However, Mazda's aspirations to move upscale were still a work in progress, as evidenced by the standard half-leatherette seats and manually adjustable passenger seat in base models. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space and a rotary infotainment controller, but it lacked the upscale feel Mazda aimed for.

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 the previous T6 engine, but with improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation. The mild-hybrid system used a lithium-ion battery pack to power a 13-volt starter generator, reducing the load on the engine and making the auto stop-start technology nearly imperceptible. The XC90 delivered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its bulky dimensions, the XC90 handled corners well, and road and wind noise were kept at bay. The brakes provided a solid pedal feel, inspiring confidence. While the XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, it offered a simple and straightforward driving experience.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with turbocharging available on higher trims. The base engine produced 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offered up to 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard, along with Normal, Sport, and Off-road driving modes. Turbo models also included a Towing mode, increasing towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The CX-50 shared powertrains with the CX-5 but offered a different driving experience, focusing more on daily driving than sporty dynamics. The Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise and limited grip, while the roof platform contributed to wind noise at highway speeds. Overall, the CX-50 was well-mannered but didn't inspire spirited driving like the CX-5.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered a peaceful and pleasant front-seat experience, but its Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. The lack of dedicated cubby space for smaller items, such as cell phones, was a notable drawback. The second row was comfortable and 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 once there. With the third seat in position, the XC90 provided 356 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,183 litres with the third row folded and 1,856 litres with all rear seats down. This cargo capacity fell short compared to some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car than typical three-row SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom and more legroom in both rows. It compared favourably in legroom to rivals like the Toyota RAV4, but headroom was less generous. The CX-50 provided 889 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,595 litres with them folded, slightly less than the CX-5. While the power liftgate improved cargo access, the area wasn't ideal for dirty or bulky items. The optional roof platform was high, making it less accessible for shorter individuals. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage space, but the Meridian Edition lacked more durable materials. The substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the centre console demonstrated that Mazda didn't need to shrink or remove shifters to free up space.

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. This integration included Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, with Apple CarPlay compatibility. The natural-language recognition powered by Google enhanced the user experience, allowing commands via Google Home devices. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions led to some frustration, as more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated. Keyless entry was standard, with an optional head-up display.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, operated via a rotary controller and buttons on the centre console. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims offering wireless phone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The touchscreen-free interface required adjustment but provided physical feedback, making it easier to use without taking eyes off the road. The infotainment system felt dated, with basic functions and plain graphics, appealing to buyers who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying 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 further enhanced safety by maintaining distance from the car ahead and providing gentle lane corrections.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. However, it received lower scores for nighttime pedestrian detection and standard headlights. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, but the CX-50 received a five-star frontal crash-test rating and a four-star rollover rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, with additional optional features available.