2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Volvo XC90

In Canada, the 2024 Volvo XC90 was available in B6 and Recharge T8 model series, both featuring standard all-wheel drive. The B6 model came with a turbocharged and supercharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid offering superior performance and efficiency, with an estimated electric-only range of 53 kilometres. The XC90 was offered in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $71,550 to $94,500, excluding destination charges and fees. The Recharge T8 in Ultimate trim featured luxurious amenities such as massaging front seats, a premium headliner, an active air suspension, and a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The exterior design was characterized by a subdued and earthy colour palette, with various wheel designs up to 21 inches in diameter, and a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal accents. Inside, the XC90's interior was noted for its rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was positioned as a sportier SUV within the Range Rover family, with a taller stance and a more athletic appearance due to its shorter wheelbase and chopped top. The SV Edition Two, the highest-performance model, featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood with an exposed patch. The interior was adorned with red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up “SV” inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters. The minimalist aesthetic was maintained with a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button. The console, dash, and door panels were high, creating a cockpit-like feel, but the front seats felt cramped for a vehicle of its size. Material quality was up to luxury segment standards, although the use of reflective piano black plastic was noted as excessive.

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, with a hybrid mode averaging 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The SUV could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in five seconds. Recharging was straightforward, with options for a standard household outlet or a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 25 centimetres of ground clearance. However, the XC90's electric performance waned as the battery approached its minimum state of charge, and the gas engine would assist when necessary. The SUV's handling was not particularly thrilling, with a firm ride on irregular pavement and more cabin noise than expected for a luxury SUV.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Dynamic SE model featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, while the plug-in hybrid powertrain offered 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography model increased output to 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two used a twin-turbo BMW V8 with 626 hp, achieving 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport's sport-tuned air suspension and four-wheel steering provided agile handling, while its Terrain Response system and off-road capabilities were notable. The SV Edition Two's carbon-ceramic brakes and brake-based torque vectoring enhanced performance, but the basic platform offered comfort and refinement.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 was well-equipped with features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, optional leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims offered additional amenities such as a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90 seated seven people, with a comfortable bench seat in the second row and tight access to the third row. Cargo capacity was up to 1,854 litres with the third row folded, and 2,426 litres with the second row down.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a two-row five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants had similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, while rear-seat headroom was not significantly impacted by the sloping roof. The Sport provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,860 litres with the rear seats folded. The maximum towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms for turbo-six and V8 models, and 3,000 kilograms for plug-in hybrids. The Sport's air suspension facilitated loading and unloading, and interior storage included deep door pockets and large centre console cupholders.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with optional Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio systems. The 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and head-up display were available, along with a surround-view camera. The infotainment system was intuitive, though the digital voice assistant required specific prompts for optimal performance.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, providing a unique, albeit somewhat gimmicky, experience. The minimalist design had functional shortfalls, with limited physical controls and reliance on the touchscreen for adjustments.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was known for its safety, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. However, its advanced driving assistance systems were not particularly innovative, with Pilot Assist struggling in certain situations. The XC90 included features like large-animal detection and a notification system for distracted drivers.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though the parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of writing.