The automobile market features many fantastic compact luxury SUVs. Every driver looking to buy a car in this segment will likely be comparing the Lexus RX350 vs Volvo XC90. The two cars are top-tier in a million aspects and still have affordable price tags. The Lexus RX350 has a great build and offers higher-end features inside the cabin. Similarly, the Volvo XC90 has a great engine and spacious accommodations inside. As much as both cars are alike in niceties and serve the same consumer spectrum, each has a unique blend of features that certain drivers will prefer over the other. Let’s get on to it.
Lexus RX350 vs Volvo XC90 Overview
Compact luxury crossovers are more popular for having a sporty demeanour. Surprisingly, the 2024 Lexus RX goes for a soft-riding, relaxed character. Although the car looks sporty and runs on a powerful engine, it is not as fast and responsive as its top rivals. If you want a more exciting ride, you have to opt for the F-Sport trim. Furthermore, the cabin is roomy with comfortable sittings for front and rear seat occupants. Lexus has given up the third row of seats for more interior sophistication in the 2024 models.
On the other hand, the Volvo XC90 lineup continues to age like fine wine. This car delivers the sport-like driving experience you expect from a compact crossover. It has a less powerful engine but accelerates faster. Like the RX350’s cabin, this Volvo offers a modern interior design adorned with premium material choices. Both cars offer the same standard features and rank alike in safety and reliability tests. In fact, if you are in the market for a top-class compact luxury SUV, you cannot go wrong with a Lexus RX350 or Volvo XC90.
The Latest Upgrades
The Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC90 have very few upgrades for their 2024 models. Both of them are so similar that the Volvo made it to the list of cars like the RX350. There are no tangible changes in both cars except a handful of minor changes to their features and options menus. The Dark Theme with black exterior trim pieces for the Volvo has been replaced with a Bright theme, although its chrome bits are still available. Also, the latest models feature a special 22.0-inch wheel and tire package (optional for the turbocharged and supercharged XC90 B6 Ultimate) and standard laminated side windows (for the higher-end Ultimate trim).
Similarly, the RX350 higher-end trims offer a larger 14.0-inch infotainment screen option, with standard leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting system, and upscale luxury presence in the cabin. Many fantastic optional features from previous models have been upgraded and made standard for the 2024 models. You cannot fault any of these cars for not adding significant upgrades to the latest models, and their 2023 models offer modern cabins packed with ample luxury features. So, in this regard, both cars are tied.
Powertrain and Transmission Setup
For 2024, Lexus equips all RX350s with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes 275 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard and pairs with a front-wheel drive layout. You can also have the car as an all-wheel drive for better road manners. Lexus missed an opportunity to deliver the AWD RX350 as a performer, but failed due to a poorly-tuned chassis.
On the other hand, all Volvo XC90s rely on hybrid powertrains. The B5 models combine a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 247 horsepower with a 48-volt electric motor. Meanwhile, the B6 trims use the same engine that is tuned to make 295 horsepower. You can also have a plug-in hybrid on the XC90 Recharge that adds a battery to the system to smash 455 horsepower. Every XC90 uses the same eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system.
Engine Performance
Performance-wise, the average time a Volvo XC90 takes to accelerate from zero to 60 mph is 4.5 seconds. While the base trims max tow rate at 4,000 pounds, higher trims can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Also, older XC90s have reached up to 155 mph, but the 2024 models have a top speed of 118 mph. Compared with the RX350, the Volvo is more flexible around curves, with more impressive steering responses and overall road manners.
Additionally, The wheel has a pleasing heft that splits the difference between feather-light and heavyweight. You can also go for optional air suspension, which provides a more comfortable ride and adapts to most road conditions well.
The chassis on the RX350 does not add any extra cornering confidence. Furthermore, the suspension systems are focused on luxury and comfort drivers but are not attractive to driving enthusiasts. The FWD setup accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, while the AWD does it in 6.9 seconds. In addition to that, you get a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and a top speed of 124 mph, which is impressive for a luxury car.
If you conclude on the Lexus RX350 vs Volvo XC90 debate based on performance alone, the latter will be by far the better choice.
Interior Features and Space
Although there are no tangible upgrades for 2024 in both cars, there’s so much to enjoy about their interiors. For the XC90, the Swedish automaker packs many top-tier features as standard. These include a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 9.0-inch infotainment display. You also get standard heated front seats with two-way power lumbar adjustment and a 10-speaker high-performance stereo system. The panoramic moonroof is also standard.
Meanwhile, Lexus offers a three-zone climate control system, semi-aniline leather upholstery, and a moonroof as options in the RX350. Moreover, drivers get to enjoy a dual-zone automatic climate control system, analog gauges with a 7.0-inch digital gauge display, and a 9.8-inch infotainment display. Also, a 14.0-inch infotainment display with a head-up display and Mark-Levinson stereo system is available. Lexus’ latest software interface is standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
You can enjoy massaging front seats with four-way front seat power lumbar support and Nappa leather upholstery in higher-end XC90 trims. The Volvo also offers an optional third row of seats, which may not be comfortable for tall adults. Furthermore, the RX350 offers good leg- and headroom for front and rear-seat passengers with a decent trunk space. While the extra row of seats can affect the XC90’s trunk space, passengers in the front and second rows get even more comfortable space than in the RX.
Comparing the interior features offered in the Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC90, the XC90 is the more equipped model.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Technology
Both the Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC90 have high reliability and safety ratings. Their 2023 and 2024 models are similar and have attained high scores in crash tests. As much as the Lexus impresses with many standard safety and driver-assistance features, the XC90 provides even more innovative active safety features. Dedicated safety-first engineering, such as the advanced Safety Cage structure and whiplash-reducing seats, is peculiar to Volvo.
Some common safety and driver-assistance features that are common to both cars are adaptive cruise control, rear parking assist, collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. In addition to these, XC90s have Volvo Pilot Assist, anti-collision steering assistance, and hill descent control.
Furthermore, both cars have essential semi-autonomous driving capabilities that help avoid collisions. Overall, the Volvo XC90 offers many more tech features than the Lexus RX350.
Pricing
The price of a new 2024 Volvo XC90 starts at $57,895 and goes up to $80,895, while the RX350 ranges between $49,950 and $59,080. From this, the average price of an XC90 is about $20,000 above that of an RX350. However, we don’t judge a car’s pricing structure based on price tags alone. It is vital to consider whether the car is worth its sticker price and value retention.
Moreover, Hybrids are usually more expensive which explains why the Volvo is costlier in this case. For perspective, the plug-in hybrid RX (Lexus RX450h+) starts at $70,000, which is in the same range as the XC90 recharge.
Fuel Economy
The Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC90 have compelling fuel efficiency ratings, as estimated by the EPA. For the FWD RX350 setup, you get 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Meanwhile, the AWD setup is good for 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. Volvo XC90 models have gas mileage in the same range aside from the plug-in hybrid XC90 Recharge.
The base B5 powertrain earns 22 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. While the B6 powertrain takes 2 MPG from each driving condition in exchange for extra power; thus you get 20 MPG for city and 26 for highway driving conditions. Eco-conscious drivers and people looking to save some bucks at the pump will prefer the XC90 Recharge which earns an EPA-estimated 66 MPGe combined. This setup also delivers 36 miles of driving range per charge on battery power only.
Warranty Packages
Comparing the Lexus RX350 vs Volvo XC90 based on warranty package is unfair because hybrid and electric cars usually have better coverages. For the hybrid XC90s, Volvo offers Limited warranty coverage for four years or 50,000 miles, Powertrain warranty coverage for four years or 50,000 miles, Electrical components coverage for for eight years or 100,000, and Complimentary maintenance coverage for three years or 36,000 miles. Meanwhile, Lexus offers RX350 buyers Limited warranty coverage for four years or 50,000 miles, Powertrain warranty coverage for six years or 70,000 miles, and Complimentary maintenance coverage for one year or 10,000 miles.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, the comparison between the Lexus RX350 and Volvo XC90 ends with the latter as the winner. From standard safety features to engine performance, the Volvo XC90 trumps the Lexus every step of the way. For instance, the Volvo is slightly larger than the Lexus and, as such, provides many more passenger and cargo rooms. However, the RX is cheaper and still equal to Volvo in terms of safety and reliability ratings. Therefore, if you prioritize speed and great road manners, the Volvo is the better option if you can afford the extra $20,000.
