2024 Subaru Ascent 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 an assertive grille that avoided being ostentatious. The signature "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, distinguishing it from the boxy Volvos of the past. The XC90's rectilinear dimensions were complemented by 21-inch wheels, adding a hint of drama to its otherwise stoic appearance. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with its two-tone leather steering wheel, metal speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior design was enhanced by wood deco inlays, creating a serene and sophisticated cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Ascent struggled with styling, as its design was marred by visually offensive elements like tusks and a bold spear across the grille. Despite this, the Ascent's interior focused on functionality, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Premier trim offered premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a surround-view camera. However, the interior design felt modular and lacked sophistication. The Ascent's practicality was evident in its wide-opening rear doors and ample cargo space, making it a family-friendly choice. While the Ascent's design may not have been groundbreaking, it prioritized practicality and comfort for its occupants.

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 predecessors 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, enhancing the vehicle's 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. Its handling was surprisingly agile for its size, and the brakes provided a confident pedal feel. While the XC90 lacked extensive off-road features, its simplicity in driving dynamics appealed to those seeking a straightforward driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, the Ascent offered a versatile driving experience. It excelled in various environments, from city streets to off-road trails, and handled speed humps and rutted terrain with ease. The Ascent's CVT mimicked a conventional automatic transmission with eight programmed ratios, providing a smooth driving experience. However, its performance was limited on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning. The Ascent's fuel economy was less impressive, with ratings of 12.3 L/100 km in the city and 9.4 on the highway, but its 73-litre fuel tank allowed for extended travel between refuels.

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 drawback. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but accessing the third row was challenging, especially with the standard seven-passenger seating configuration. The XC90 provided 356 litres of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 1,183 litres with the seats folded down. However, its maximum cargo capacity of 1,856 litres fell short compared to some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a more compact vehicle, offering a nimble driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs enhancing practicality. The Premier trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather upholstery, although the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger seat was a minor drawback. The wide-opening rear doors facilitated easy loading of children and cargo, and the Ascent's roof rails supported a rooftop tent. The third-row seat provided acceptable comfort for short trips, with air conditioning vents and storage space. The Ascent offered 458 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,232 litres with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 2,140 litres with the second-row seats folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running on Google OS, the first of its kind in a standard infotainment system. This system integrated Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant, offering natural-language recognition for a seamless user experience. However, the reliance on the touchscreen interface for key functions could be frustrating, as more physical buttons and redundant controls would have been appreciated. Keyless entry was standard, and a head-up display was optional.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent came equipped with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered a navigation system and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. While the system worked well, the display washed out in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. Fortunately, physical buttons and knobs controlled commonly used functions, and features like Cabin Connect and a surround-view camera were available on upper trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 continued the brand's legacy of safety, earning a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (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 steering assistance.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent also prioritized safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The standard EyeSight package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert required an upgrade to the Touring trim. While EyeSight was historically a leader in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, the latest iteration had issues with lane-centring assist, leading to a less stable driving experience.