2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, continued to be a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was known for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the appearance and feel of a small luxury SUV. The CX-5 offered a choice between a standard 187-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 256-horsepower turbocharged variant. The vehicle was praised for its impressive power, safety ratings, and overall quality, although it had some drawbacks, such as a small back seat, limited cargo space, and a challenging infotainment system. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was part of a broader marketing strategy, aiming to maintain its loyal customer base.

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in B6 and Recharge T8 models, was a luxury SUV that emphasized practicality, safety, and sustainability. The XC90 Recharge T8, a plug-in hybrid, offered a combination of a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an electric motor, delivering 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle featured a sophisticated design with rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery and natural wood trim. Despite its dated interior design, the XC90 provided a comfortable and spacious cabin, with the ability to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery to suit individual preferences. The XC90's exterior design was characterized by a subdued and earthy colour palette, contrasting with the trend of blacked-out themes.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering up to 256 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided a thrilling driving experience, with a firm and connected ride quality, responsive steering, and smooth braking. The CX-5's fuel economy was rated at 9.0 L/100 km for the standard engine and 9.8 L/100 km for the turbocharged variant. However, real-world testing showed a higher consumption of 11.0 L/100 km during a mountainous drive.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid offered 53 kilometres of electric-only range and an estimated fuel economy of 8.9 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, and Hybrid, allowing drivers to optimize performance and efficiency. Despite its impressive power, the XC90's handling was more focused on luxury than performance, with a firm ride and less engaging driving dynamics compared to the CX-5.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 featured a well-appointed interior with high-quality materials, including Nappa leather upholstery in the Signature trim. The front seats were redesigned for improved comfort, and the vehicle offered various amenities such as heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with a cramped back seat and smaller cargo capacity compared to some rivals. The cargo area provided 871 litres of space behind the rear seats and 1,680 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with seating for up to seven passengers. The SUV featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a four-zone climate control system, and a panoramic glass roof. The XC90's interior was customizable, with options for leather upholstery, wood trim, and advanced lighting. The vehicle provided ample cargo space, with 1,854 litres available with the third-row seats folded and 2,426 litres with the second-row seats down. Despite its comfort and space, the XC90's climate control system struggled to cool the cabin on hot days when driving in Pure mode.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system, Mazda Connect, featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was criticized for its lack of a touchscreen and cumbersome controls. The system required memorization and focus to operate, which could be distracting while driving. Despite these drawbacks, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Bose premium audio system. The vehicle also included a front-facing camera and a surround-view camera system for easier parking.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 was equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Google Built-in technology. This included Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. The system supported Apple CarPlay and offered premium audio options, including a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 also featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a head-up display, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and safety features under the i-Activsense banner. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The CX-5 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a five-star overall rating and a Top Safety Pick designation. However, the vehicle lacked a warning system for driving without headlights at night, which could pose a safety risk.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90 included advanced safety systems like Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. However, the system struggled with certain driving conditions, and the XC90 lacked a hands-free driving assistance system. Despite these limitations, the XC90's safety features operated smoothly and effectively.