Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Volvo XC60

The 2023 Volvo XC60 presented a sophisticated and stylish appearance, with a choice of three powertrains, including the XC60 Recharge with a turbocharged PHEV powertrain. This model combined a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.8-kWh battery pack, offering an estimated 58 kilometres of electric driving. The XC60's design was both timeless and elegant, with a focus on Scandinavian minimalism inside. The interior featured luxurious touches such as black leather, wood trim, metal accents, and ambient lighting, creating an opulent atmosphere. The XC60's exterior, with its 20-inch wheels and Thunder Grey paint, exuded a sense of modernity and sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid maintained a more utilitarian design, with minimal changes for the year. The Highlander Hybrid's exterior was characterized by exaggerated forms and bold styling, which some found over-styled. Inside, the cabin featured large elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and oversized climate control knobs, contributing to a less subtle and elegant feel. The interior's mismatched textures and tones, along with reflections from the display, created a visually busy environment. Despite these design choices, the Highlander Hybrid offered a quiet ride on the road, with a focus on practicality and functionality for family use.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge delivered impressive performance with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine and rear electric motor, producing a combined 455 horsepower and 423 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain allowed the XC60 to accelerate to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds, making it one of the most powerful models in Volvo's history. The XC60 offered various driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. The XC60 Recharge excelled in both electric-only and hybrid modes, providing a smooth and responsive ride.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motor-generators, producing a combined 243 horsepower. While the Highlander Hybrid offered standard AWD and the ability to drive solely on electricity at low speeds, it lacked the high-speed passing power of the XC60. The Highlander Hybrid's driving modes included Eco, Normal, and Sport, but its performance was more focused on fuel efficiency than excitement. The Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to optimize efficiency, but the Highlander Hybrid's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation loop.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, as a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for carrying four people comfortably, though it could accommodate five if needed. The front seats provided exceptional comfort with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable, though legroom was limited for taller passengers. The XC60 offered 730 litres of cargo space behind the back seat, expandable to 1,792 litres with the rear seats folded. Practical storage solutions included wide door panel bins and a glovebox, while a power liftgate and ski pass-through panel added convenience.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, designed for family use, could carry seven or eight people depending on the configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third-row seat best for occasional use. The Highlander Hybrid offered three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel in the Platinum package. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, while the third-row access was tight. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres with the second-row seats down. The Highlander Hybrid's storage areas were practical but lacked lining for noise reduction.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system. The system offered Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system impressed with its accuracy, and the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system delivered exceptional audio quality. The infotainment system's intuitive interface and steering wheel controls made it user-friendly, though some settings were challenging to locate.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment systems. The Limited trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual-device Bluetooth pairing. The Drive Connect service plan offered an Intelligent Assistant and cloud-based navigation. The JBL sound system provided decent audio quality, though the graphics could benefit from sharper contrast. Overall, the Toyota Audio Multimedia platform was easy to use, with effective voice recognition and connectivity features.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 was synonymous with safety, featuring Pilot Assist, Volvo's advanced driver-assistance system. This system combined adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and lane-centring capability. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. While the XC60 Recharge had not been assessed by the NHTSA, the B5 and B6 mild-hybrids received top safety ratings. The IIHS awarded the XC60 B5 and B6 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, with potential updates for 2023.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with additional features on higher trims. The ADAS performed well in most situations, though it struggled with certain road conditions. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.