2023 Volvo XC40 vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly in its 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), was a nod to the past with its retro body stripes and heritage grille design. This special edition, based on the SR5 trim, added $3,330 to the price, bringing the MSRP to $54,380. It featured bronze 17-inch wheels, badges, and stitching, along with a numbered plaque on the dashboard. The 4Runner's design was reminiscent of truck-based SUVs from the past, offering a rugged and enduring appeal. Inside, the cabin was functional, with solid plastic materials and easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC40 maintained its distinctive, flat-roofed SUV profile, with a clean exterior design free of unnecessary detailing. For 2023, Volvo updated the XC40's styling with pixelated "Thor’s Hammer" headlights and a more angular front bumper. The XC40 shared its Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform with other Volvo and Polestar models, making it unique in North America for offering a combustion engine. Inside, the XC40's minimalist design featured thin air vents and scalloped door elements, with options for leather or vegan leather upholstery. The XC40 Ultimate test vehicle included a panoramic moonroof and an Orrefors crystal shift knob, though the all-black interior felt somewhat utilitarian.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It came with a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, offering a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner's fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test averaging 13.9 L/100 km. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a tendency to skitter over larger bumps.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 introduced mild-hybrid powertrains, featuring a 48-volt electrical system and a 13-horsepower integrated starter generator. The B5 models in Canada had a 2.0-litre turbo-four-cylinder engine, delivering 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC40 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, offering a smooth and refined driving experience. The XC40 Recharge, with its two electric motors, produced 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 359-kilometre range. The XC40's chassis tuning provided a calm and composed ride, though it lacked a sport driving mode.

The Toyota 4Runner's interior was practical, with a power rear window and sunroof providing excellent ventilation. The seats were comfortable, with SofTex artificial leather in the 40 ASE model. Dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations were available, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was optional but cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner offered 1,337 litres of cargo space, with a tailgate that doubled as a seat.

The Volvo XC40, while compact, offered reasonable space for its class. It provided ample rear-seat headroom and average legroom, with generous shoulder room. Cargo space was 566 litres with the rear seats up and 1,328 litres with them folded, slightly less than some competitors. The XC40 featured a power tailgate and keyless entry, with good interior storage options, including scalloped door panels and a large centre console storage bin.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with optional navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons suitable for gloved use. Voice recognition performed well, though it couldn't adjust cabin temperature due to manual controls.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 adopted an Android-based infotainment system, using Google apps for navigation and voice recognition. It featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen. The B5 Ultimate test vehicle included a 13-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and USB-C ports for each row. The infotainment experience was visually pleasing, though users preferring Apple devices might find the Google features less satisfying. The lack of analog controls meant relying on the touchscreen for most functions.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. However, the 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Marginal rating from IIHS for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Volvo XC40 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Upgrading to the Plus trim added parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, while the Ultimate included adaptive cruise control and Pilot Assist. The XC40 received top "Good" ratings from IIHS in most crash tests, though it dropped to "Acceptable" in the updated side-impact test. NHTSA awarded the gasoline XC40 a five-star overall safety rating.