2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling elements from Toyota's Tacoma pickup, notably its trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged look that was popular among midsized SUVs. However, the design softened on the sides with a character line that swooped over the rear wheel arch, a flourish also seen on the Toyota Supra and Sienna. This design choice added unnecessary visual weight, making the Highlander appear somewhat bloated. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors like the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's interior was unconventional yet less jarring, featuring an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element that spanned the passenger side. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high on the dash, reducing driver distraction. However, the Bronze Edition's light grey fabric seat upholstery with an incomplete triangle motif seemed more suited to a paper towel than a car, raising concerns about durability for families. Other trims offered more conventional materials, but genuine leather was only available in the top trims.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, on the other hand, maintained its reputation for style and design leadership, aging gracefully with its appealing paint color and blacked-out exterior trim. The interior showcased classic Scandinavian minimalism, with colorways and materials that exuded opulence. The test vehicle's black leather interior was complemented by handsome wood trim, metal accents, and a crystal gear selector knob, creating a luxurious atmosphere. Despite its compact size, the XC60's interior felt spacious, thanks to the panoramic sunroof and supportive seat cushions. The XC60's design and materials were a testament to Volvo's commitment to elegance and comfort, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive was available through a supplemental electric motor powering the rear axle. Toyota estimated a 0-60 mph time of just over 8 seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as speed built. The engine hum was subtle under light acceleration but became a drone under heavy load, especially on hills. The Highlander Hybrid's braking was traditional, with a soft pedal feel and seamless transition from regenerative to physical brakes. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over road imperfections, and the cabin remained quiet on highways, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with an electric motor powering the rear wheels. This setup produced a combined 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The XC60 Recharge offered several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's behavior. The XC60 Recharge was exceptionally quick, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, making it the most powerful in Volvo's history. The vehicle's updates included a more powerful electric motor, enhancing its fun-to-drive nature. The XC60 Recharge excelled in both performance and efficiency, with an average of 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile evaluation route. The one-pedal driving system and regenerative brakes further extended the battery's charge, making it a versatile and efficient choice for various driving scenarios.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments for drivers of all sizes, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage was plentiful, with a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf in front of the passenger, and a large center armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, accommodating six-footers with ease, and offered sliding and reclining capabilities for added comfort. The third row, however, was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children due to limited headroom and legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was 16 cubic feet, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, being a compact SUV, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five if needed. The front seats provided outstanding comfort, with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable, though legroom was tight for taller passengers. Storage space was decent, with practical spots in the center console and wide door panel bins. The XC60 Recharge offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The power liftgate and air suspension made loading easier, and a ski pass-through panel allowed for carrying skis while accommodating four passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons for common features. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard, with wireless charging available on XLE trims and above. Limited and Platinum trims offered navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, operated via steering wheel controls. The 9-inch infotainment system, featuring Google Built-in, offered access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, with support for Apple CarPlay. The system's intuitive interface and voice-recognition capabilities impressed, allowing for easy operation of climate functions and music streaming. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided exceptional audio quality, though the Harman Kardon system included in the Ultimate package was likely sufficient for most.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for frontal collision and rollover protection. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, with the highest "Good" scores across the board. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems required some fine-tuning.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, synonymous with safety, offered Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. The system excelled on highways, providing smooth and accurate performance. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. While the NHTSA had not assessed the XC60 Recharge, the B5 and B6 mild-hybrids received top marks. The IIHS awarded the XC60 B5 and B6 a Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022, with potential updates for 2023.