2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2024 Volvo XC90

Volvo sold the 2024 XC90 in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 model series. The XC90 B5 featured a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 added a supercharger for enhanced performance. The Recharge T8 was a plug-in hybrid that offered the highest performance and efficiency, with an estimated 32 miles of electric-only range. All models came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).

Volvo offered the XC90 in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trim levels, with prices ranging from $56,000 to $79,600, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The Recharge T8 test vehicle arrived in Ultimate trim featuring seven-passenger seating and packed options such as the Lounge Package with massaging front seats, a premium headliner, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch supporting a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The MSRP was $89,145 with the destination charge.

Volvo demonstrated mastery in color and material choices, with the exterior paint palette being subdued and earthy, reflective of the SUV's luxury yet practical nature. Various wheel designs were available, up to 21 inches in diameter, and most versions featured a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal, standing out against the recent trend of blacked-out aesthetics.

The XC90’s interior design, though dated, was adorned with rich materials, especially in Ultimate trim. It offered wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather in different colors. The Orrefors crystal shift knob added a classy touch, while natural wood trim decorated the cabin. Volvo allowed a significant degree of customization, enabling buyers to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery to suit their preferences.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid started at a more affordable base price of $33,700. It sported black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim for a sporty look, though the interior felt relatively basic. The new leather-lined Sport-L Hybrid offered an interior upgrade at a starting price of $36,700, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup at $39,850.

Our CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid test vehicle had Canyon River Blue paint with no optional accessories, bringing its MSRP to $41,175, including the $1,325 destination charge.

The CR-V's styling was conservative with a technical face bearing a semblance to an angry robot, though perhaps carrying too much visual weight over its front wheels. The Sport Touring model had tusks framing its lower air intake, which didn't flatter its looks. Its best angle was from the rear quarter, where the taillights and tidy design gave it an upscale appearance. Honda avoided excessive SUV styling cues, and while the Sport Touring’s exclusive 19-inch gloss black wheels added shine, they blended in with darker paint colors.

Inside, the Sport Touring featured leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous high-quality details. The sound of slamming the doors conveyed a sense of solidity, and the soft-touch upper dashboard pad, metal mesh hiding the dashboard air vents, and knurled metallic trim on knobs contributed to a sophisticated cabin, especially impressive within its compact SUV segment.

To create the 2024 XC90 Recharge T8, Volvo added an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor to the B6’s supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This configuration delivered 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The battery enabled 32 miles of electric-only driving under Pure mode before the gasoline engine took over. As a hybrid, the XC90 Recharge T8 was expected to average 27 mpg in combined driving. In Power mode, Volvo estimated a five-second acceleration from 0 to 60 mph.

Charging the XC90 Recharge T8 was straightforward, taking about 12 hours via a standard household power outlet or cutting that time by more than half using a 240-volt, 16-amp outlet. A Charge mode could recharge the battery while driving, preserving electric range for later use. Other driving modes included Hybrid, Constant AWD, Off-Road, and battery-preserving Hold and Auto modes.

On a hot evaluation day in Southern California, the XC90 Recharge T8 didn’t achieve 33 miles of electric range in Pure mode, providing 28 miles instead. It also fell short of the EPA’s predicted 27 mpg in combined driving, delivering 24.5 mpg. However, during typical suburban use, the plug-in hybrid performed effectively on electricity alone and showed minimal fuel consumption.

As the battery approached its minimal charge, electric performance waned, requiring gentle acceleration to avoid activating the gasoline engine. Once the gas engine started, the XC90 Recharge T8 exhibited lively performance, with seamless transitions and impressive power, although handling and ride quality were less thrilling due to the luxury-oriented setup and the aged vehicle architecture.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport, Sport-L, and Sport Touring came standard with a fourth-generation Honda two-motor hybrid drive system. It paired a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with dual electric motors – one for propulsion and one as a generator/starter motor. This complex system delivered 204 horsepower to the front or all four wheels.

The CR-V Hybrid promised 37 mpg in combined driving, but on the mountainous Southern California testing loop, it returned 32.4 mpg. Nonetheless, the CR-V Hybrid remained quiet on the road with compliant ride quality and predictable handling. It impressed with grip and brake performance on twisty descents, despite the heavier-than-expected steering effort, even in Normal mode.

Ultimately, the CR-V Hybrid was easy to drive with a touch of fun inherent to Hondas, though it wasn’t designed for off-road adventures or spirited driving excursions.

Even in Core trim, the XC90 Recharge T8 was well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system with PM2.5 air purification. It also featured a panoramic glass roof with an intuitive one-touch swipe control for operating the sunshade.

Higher trims added amenities such as a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats with massage, upgraded interior lighting, an integrated booster child seat, and rear door sunshades. The front seats, though comfortable and adjustable, posed a minor entry issue due to their winged lower leg supports catching on shorts.

Despite the sweltering test day, the XC90’s climate control system initially struggled to cool the cabin in Pure mode, achieving desired temperatures only once the gas engine started. The SUV accommodated seven people, or six with second-row captain’s chairs. The tight third-row access was offset by unexpected comfort for adult passengers.

Interior storage was adequate, but not overly abundant. With the third-row seats in use, cargo space was limited. However, folding the third row down revealed up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and folding the second row down increased it to 85.7 cubic feet.

The Honda CR-V excelled in form and function. It showcased quality materials, an intuitive control layout, comfortable seats, and a roomy cargo area. All CR-V Hybrids included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat offering excellent support. The front passenger seat, though less adjustable, remained comfortable. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel enhanced comfort on chilly days, and all hybrid models featured dual-zone climate control.

The CR-V’s easy ingress and egress, especially for the back seats, benefited new parents with child safety seats. The wide rear door openings and adjustable backrest angles made the back seats comfortable for adults, and additional rear seat amenities included air-conditioning vents and USB-C charging ports.

While front and rear storage options were ample, the glove compartment was smaller than anticipated. The CR-V Hybrid’s hands-free power rear liftgate revealed a 34.7 cubic foot cargo area in the Sport Touring, slightly smaller than the 36.3 cubic feet in the Sport and Sport-L trims. All hybrid models offered a maximum of 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, generous within the compact SUV class.

The 2024 XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system utilizing Google Built-in technology, offering a navigation system with Google Maps, Google Play access, and Google Assistant for voice recognition, all complimentary for four years. Post that, subscription payments were required.

Apple CarPlay was standard, and options included SiriusXM satellite radio, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins high-end audio system with various listening modes. Though the touchscreen was small by modern standards, its proximity to the driver made it practical. The system was more user-friendly than previous versions, and the interior maintained minimalistic elegance with physical volume and tuning knobs.

Google Assistant provided a generally rewarding experience, enhancing the infotainment system's usability, though it occasionally required different prompts for optimal results. The XC90 Recharge T8 also featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera to support its standard parking sensors.

For the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, Honda included a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base Sport Hybrid. Larger, 9-inch displays were reserved for higher trims, which also offered features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a decent sound system in the Sport-L and Sport Touring trims, complete with subscription-based connected services.

Connecting an iPhone to the CR-V’s Bluetooth was seamless, allowing easy use of Apple CarPlay. The Sport Touring model included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, delivering quality sound. However, Honda’s voice recognition system was basic and less intuitive than smartphone digital assistants.

Volvo was synonymous with safety, evidenced by its pioneering of the three-point seatbelt and continued innovation in vehicular safety. The 2024 XC90 had impressive crash-test ratings, earning five stars in most NHTSA assessments and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS for 2023.

However, the XC90 lagged in advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) compared to rivals. While it included essential safety features like a large-animal detection system and traffic alert notifications, its Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, performed inconsistently. Despite some successful scenarios, an error while exiting a freeway eroded trust in the technology.

Every 2024 CR-V Hybrid came with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety features including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warnings, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and driver monitoring. Standard features also included a rear-seat reminder, automatic high-beams, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors and low-speed automatic braking.

Testing the Honda Sensing in various conditions demonstrated its effectiveness, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering performing particularly well. The CR-V earned impressive IIHS ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ for 2023, with 2024 NHTSA ratings still pending.