2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its earlier models with a bolder and more aggressive design. The sixth-generation CR-V was both assertive and truck-like, stretching about 2.5 inches longer and a half an inch wider than the outgoing model. Its muscular stance was accentuated by a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks. Classic D-pillar taillights evolved into modern three-L shapes, and the rear end mirrored the bold front fascia. All headlights and taillights were equipped with LED technology.

In the Sport Touring trim we reviewed, deep Canyon River Blue color and special Sport styling features such as black roof rails, black mirrors, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and black wheels provided a sophisticated, sporty look. The Sport Touring trim had 19-inch wheels, whereas 18-inch wheels were standard across the lineup. The interior design followed the premium trend seen in the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, with high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching on seats and the steering wheel. The honeycomb grille around the climate control vents spanned the width of the dashboard, offering a modern yet less obtrusive touch.

Conversely, the 2024 Volvo XC90 aimed at luxury with a subdued, earthy color palette, perfectly fitting for a premium SUV focused on practicality, safety, and sustainability. The exterior had various appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches in diameter, and most trims featured a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal, bucking the blacked-out trend.

Inside, the XC90’s design felt dated but was rich with luxurious materials, especially in the Ultimate trim, which provided wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather in various colors. Natural wood trim and an Orrefors crystal shift knob added a touch of class. The XC90’s interior allowed for a higher degree of customization, enabling buyers to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid offered two options: turbocharged or hybrid powertrains. The new hybrid powertrain combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful CR-V to date. The CR-V Hybrid could travel up to 115 mph and had a towing capacity of up to 1,000 lbs.

For driving modes, the CR-V Hybrid added a fourth mode, Snow, to the existing Sport, Normal, and Econ modes. The Real Time AWD system could now send up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels, and the new hill-descent control system improved handling on slopes. A new “B” shifter position increased regenerative braking, aiding in fuel efficiency. The front-wheel drive (FWD) model achieved notable fuel efficiency at 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 was equipped with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery, and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. The battery enabled 32 miles of electric-only driving, and in Power mode, the XC90 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. As a hybrid, it averaged 27 mpg in combined driving.

Recharging took about 12 hours using a standard household power outlet, and less than half that with a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 offered multiple driving modes—including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road—and additional battery modes like Charge, Hold, and Auto for increased efficiency and performance flexibility.

The increased size of the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid translated into more interior volume, boasting 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was competitive with similar models like the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and the Kia Sportage Hybrid. The rear doors were designed for easier access, and the improved LATCH system made moving car seats simpler. The rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, allowing for comfortable tandem seating for tall passengers. The CR-V Hybrid also offered thoughtful storage solutions, such as spacious cubbies to hold smartphones and an abundance of cupholders.

In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in its base Core trim, was well-equipped with luxury features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. Higher trims offered additional amenities, such as a heated steering wheel, ventilated and massaging front seats, and upgraded interior lighting. The XC90 provided seating for seven or six with optional captain’s chairs. Cargo space was more limited with all seats in use, but with the third-row seats folded down, it offered up to 65.5 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats lowered, up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to tech-savvy consumers by providing physical buttons for essential functions. The base 7-inch touchscreen display came with physical volume and tuning knobs, while the 9-inch touchscreen in the Sport Touring trim was equipped with a volume knob and physical Seek buttons. The CR-V Hybrid came standard with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and heated mirrors and front seats. The Sport Touring trim added premium features like a wireless charging pad, a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system, and smart navigation that optimized fuel efficiency based on the route.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Google Built-in technology, making it user-friendly and intuitive. It included Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant, compatible with Android devices and provided at no cost for four years. Afterward, a subscription was needed. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM were also standard. High-end audio options included a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system with various sound modes. Additionally, a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display offered comprehensive control over the vehicle’s systems.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in safety with the Honda Sensing suite, which included collision mitigation, road departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist, all improved for smoother use. New features for 2023 included traffic jam assist and traffic sign recognition. Key safety technologies like adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and low-speed braking control were available. Honda also added new airbags, a stiffer structure, and increased visibility, contributing to its already impressive safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

Volvo, known for its safety innovations, didn’t disappoint with the 2024 XC90. The SUV earned top crash-test ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS. However, its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) lagged behind competitors. The XC90 included essential safety features and unique additions like a large-animal detection system. However, it lacked a hands-free driving assistance system, relying instead on Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous system that sometimes struggled with certain road conditions during testing.