Top 8 Volvo XC90 Competitors
The Volvo XC90 is one of the most affordable luxury midsize SUVs on the market, competing with models like the Genesis GV80 and the BMW X5.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Volvo XC90 has established itself as one of the top players in the luxury midsize SUV category. With seating for up to seven, plenty of the sweetest car tech, and a fantastic plug-in hybrid version, the Volvo XC90 is keeping up well with top rivals like the Genesis GV80 and the BMW X5.
As one of the more reasonably priced vehicles in its class—with a starting MSRP of $51,995—the 2022 XC90 has a leg up on many of its competitors. It manages to deliver top quality and luxury without cutting corners. It has earned top safety ratings and offers several key safety features standard, as well.
Regardless, if you’re curious about Volvo XC90 competitors to watch out for,
Jerry
, the car insurance comparison tool and trustworthy super app, is here with some of our favorite midsize luxury SUVs. Plus, we’ll share the secret to finding high-quality insurance without overspending on Volvo XC90 insurance costs
(or insurance for any other vehicle) so that your car loan
payment is more manageable. Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers1. Genesis GV80
Starting price: $51,295 to $78,295
Selling points: Same price point, smoother ride
Weak spots: No hybrid, not a performance vehicle
The Genesis GV80 is a staple of the three-row midsize luxury SUV category, offering 6,000 pounds of maximum towing capacity and a perfectly classy interior. What’s more, the ride is comfortable, smooth, and quiet—something that can’t be said of the XC90, which is notorious for its loud engine and bumpy ride.
The GV80 comes with an optional third row for smaller passengers, matching the subpar third-row space of the Volvo. The prices on the two also match, although top GV80 trims go for more.
2. BMW X5
Starting price: $61,595 to $84,095
Selling points: All-round one of the best SUVs you can buy
Weak spots: $10,000 more expensive
The BMW X5 is probably the best luxury three-row SUV you can buy. First off, there are plenty of customization opportunities to tailor the X5 to your needs. Seating for seven is standard on the sDrive40i and xDrive40i base models, while the hybrid xDrive45e and V8-equipped M50i prioritize cargo space with only two rows of seating.
There are also three engine options, two of which are more interesting than the Volvo XC90’s turbocharged and supercharged inline-fours:
- The X5 sDrive40i and xDrive40i trims come with a straight-six that puts out 335 horsepower.
- The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) xDrive45e offers a combined 389 horsepower from its straight-six and electric motors—not as powerful as the Volvo’s hybrid and a bit less efficient.
- The M50i blows the top trims of the XC90 out of the water performance-wise with its twin-turbo V8 that gets an amazing 523 horsepower.
3. Land Rover Defender
Starting price: $53,650 to $112,750
Selling points: Top-level off-road capability, established history
Weak spots: Mediocre fuel efficiency, expensive top trims
The Land Rover Defender’s296-horsepower turbochargedI-4 is a better base engine than the 250-horsepower turbo I-4 on the entry-level XC90. And if you’re willing to pay serious luxury prices, the 518-horsepower supercharged V8 available on the top Defender trims is a true performance marvel. It manages to go from zero to 60 mph 0.1 seconds faster than the XC90’s speedy hybrid.
But even its base engine and its electrically supercharged inline-six hybrid compete well with the options on the XC90. Plus, the Defender’s off-roading capabilities can’t be beaten. The 2023 model has a maximum ground clearance of 11.5 inches, allowing it to crawl through up to 35 inches of water.
4. Porsche Cayenne
Starting price: $70,350 to $110,350
Selling points: 7,700-pound towing capacity, supercar performance
Weak spots: Expensive, firm ride
We get it, 70 grand is a lot of money. But we can’t help the fact that the Porsche Cayenne is simply the most exciting midsize SUV money can buy. It looks like a Porsche (exquisite) and drives like a Porsche (incredibly fun), all while functioning as a top-notch practical family SUV.
This Porsche’s PHEV variant matches the 455 horsepower of the Volvo, but the V8 engine on the Cayenne GTS manages 460 horsepower, joining the Cayenne S with a 4.2-second zero to 60 time. And the Cayenne’s ability to tow 7,700 pounds makes it the perfect vehicle for adventurous families.
5. Acura MDX
Starting price: $49,195 to $72,700
Selling points: More affordable, loads of luxury tech, more fun to drive
Weak spots: No hybrid, annoying touchscreen
If you do not require all the bells and whistles of a Porsche or a BMW, the Acura MDX starts about $2,000 cheaper than the XC90. Plus, its luxury styling competes effortlessly with Volvo.
There may not be a hybrid version of the 2023 Acura MDX, but both of its available engines win out against the XC90’s gasoline-only options. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine has 290 horsepower, while the MDX Type S’ 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivers 355 horsepower.
MORE:
Acura MDX V6
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers6. Lexus RX
Starting price: $46,995 to $59,185
Selling points: Affordable, super popular, delivers on standard tech
Weak spots: Slow compared to competitors, frustrating infotainment user experience
If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury value, the Lexus RX is the SUV for you. Not only will you save money on the price tag, but you’ll also enjoy standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
With seating for up to seven, the RX provides similar utility to the XC90 but boasts a lower towing capacity of only 3,500 pounds.
7. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Starting price: $57,200 to $81,200
Selling points: Tons of options, great sport options
Weak spots: Tight optional third row, expensive
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class lineup will certainly satisfy SUV buyers who are already fans of Mercedes-Benz and willing to pay the premium price that comes along with the name. But one thing about the GLE-Class that sets it apart from a model like the XC90 is its high-performance potential.
The base-level 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 on the GLE350 matches the one on the XC90, producing 255 horsepower. But even the best version of the hybrid Volvo XC90 can’t measure up to the performance of the GLE580. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and 48-volt electric hybrid system combine for 504 horsepower,able to propel it from zero to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
8. Audi Q7/SQ7
Starting price: $58,695 to $95,590
Selling points: Great overall driving experience, great standard tech
Weak spots: Tight third row, less cargo space, expensive
The Audi Q7 is another European SUV that’s right up there with the Volvo XC90—but it comes with a higher price tag. Its engines are on par with the Volvo, although its hybrid only produces 335 horsepower.
If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that pushes the limits of performance further than the highest level XC90, however, you can go for an SQ7. Its 500-horsepower4.0-liter V8 pushes it from zero to 60 in a mere 3.5 seconds.
Volvo XC90 vs. the competition
Let’s put all of that together and see how these premium luxury SUVs shape up in key specs.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Volvo XC90 | $51,995 to $72,195 | 4-cylinder | 7 seats | 85.7 cu ft | 5,000 lbs | 25/27/26 mpg |
2022 Genesis GV80 | $51,295 to $78,295 | Turbo 4-cylinder or twin-turbo V6 | 7 seats | 84 cu ft | 6,000 lbs | 21/25/22 mpg |
2022 BMW X5 | $61,595 to $84,095 | Turbo V6, twin-turbo V8 | 7 seats | 72.3 cu ft | 7,200 lbs | 21/26/23 mpg |
2022 Land Rover Discovery | $56,350 to $71,650 | 4-cylinder or V6 | 7 seats | 74.3 cu ft | 8,200 lbs | 19/22/21 mpg |
2022 Porsche Cayenne | $70,350 to $110,350 | Turbo V6, turbo V6 hybrid, twin-turbo V6, twin-turbo V8, twin-turbo V8 hybrid | 5 seats | 60.3 cu ft | 2,948 lbs | 17/22/20 mpg |
2023 Acura MDX | $49,195 to $72,700 | V6 or turbo V6 | 7 seats | 95 cu ft | 3,500 lbs | 19/26/22 mpg |
2022 Lexus RX 350 | $46,995 to $59,185 | V6 | 7 seats | 56.3 cu ft | 3,500 lbs | 20/28/23 mpg |
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class | $57,200 to $81,200 | Turbo 4-cylinder, turbo V6, twin-turbo V8 | 7 seats | 74.9 cu ft | 3,500 lbs | 21/27/22 mpg |
2023 Audi Q7 | $58,695 to $95,590 | 4-cylinder | 5 seats | 69.6 cu ft | 7,000 lbs | 20/25/22 mpg |
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