2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a conservative yet blocky style, reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in B6 and Recharge T8 model series, was a luxury SUV that emphasized practicality, safety, and sustainability. The XC90 Recharge T8, a plug-in hybrid, offered impressive performance with a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The exterior featured a subdued and earthy paint palette, with various wheel designs up to 21 inches. Inside, the XC90's design was dated but rich in materials, with options like wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather. The Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim added a touch of class. Volvo allowed buyers to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery, catering to individual preferences.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. At the top, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, produced 362 horsepower and 400 combined net pound-feet of torque. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive in Canada. The Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration, with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was not a sports car, but its brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. It featured three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. It offered 53 kilometres of electric-only driving and averaged 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The XC90 Recharge T8 could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in five seconds. Recharging was straightforward, with options for standard household outlets or faster 240-volt outlets. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Off-Road, with up to 25 centimetres of ground clearance. However, the XC90's performance waned as the battery approached its minimum state of charge, and the ride quality was firm on irregular pavement.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm. It offered a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, surpassing the Kia Telluride by over 300 litres. With seats in position, it provided 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander was spacious and comfortable, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, making it suitable for adults in the third row.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in Core trim, was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims offered features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and rear door sunshades. The XC90 seated seven or six with captain's chairs, with a comfortable bench seat in the second row. Interior storage was adequate, and cargo capacity reached 1,854 litres with the third row down and 2,426 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous interfaces. It offered an intelligent assistant, cloud-based navigation, and 24/7 live agent assistance through a connected-services subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The 11-speaker JBL stereo was standard on Limited and Platinum trims, providing a balanced audio experience. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available with a subscription.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. These features were complimentary for four years, with subscription payments required afterward. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with premium sound system options available. The XC90's infotainment system was intuitive, with a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The digital voice assistant, Google Assistant, provided a generally rewarding experience, though some prompts required adjustment. The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with an impressive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. Features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control offered four following-distance settings, and traffic jam assist and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum grade.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in every assessment except rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. However, the XC90's advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were not as innovative as some rivals. It included Pilot Assist, which paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist, but it struggled with curves and passing lanes. Despite some issues, the XC90's ADAS features worked smoothly overall.