2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was available in three model series: B5, B6, and Recharge T8. The B5 featured a turbocharged mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine, while the B6 added a supercharger for enhanced performance. The Recharge T8, a plug-in hybrid, offered the most power and efficiency, with an estimated 32 miles of electric-only range. All models came standard with all-wheel drive. The XC90 was offered in Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims, with prices ranging from $56,000 to $79,600, excluding a $1,195 destination charge. The Recharge T8 test vehicle in Ultimate trim featured seven-passenger seating, a Lounge Package with massaging front seats, an active air suspension, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch, with an MSRP of $89,145. The XC90's exterior was characterized by a subdued, earthy color palette and various wheel designs up to 21 inches. Its interior, though dated, was adorned with rich materials, including wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and natural wood trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was styled to emphasize its sporty nature within the Range Rover family. It stood tall with a shorter wheelbase and chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and fake vents added to its look, though it appeared a bit too tall and narrow from some angles. The lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims. The Dynamic SE offered a Stealth appearance package with Carpathian metallic-gray paint, gloss black trim, and black 23-inch wheels. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels and a carbon-fiber hood. Its interior boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up "SV" inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters. The minimalist design included a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button, creating a cockpit-like feel. Material quality was high, though the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. Power was delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The battery allowed for 32 miles of electric-only driving, with an average of 27 mpg in hybrid mode. In Power mode, the XC90 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Recharging took about 12 hours with a standard outlet, or less than half that time with a 240-volt outlet. The XC90 offered various driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. During testing, the XC90 fell short of its electric range and fuel economy estimates, achieving 28 miles of electric range and 24.5 mpg. The SUV excelled in electric performance for short trips but showed degradation after 25 miles. The gas engine provided lively performance, but the XC90's handling was not thrilling, with a firm ride and less cabin quietness than expected.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim had a plug-in hybrid powertrain with 543 hp and 590 lb-ft, or a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two used the same V8, but with 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport excelled in handling, with a sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and brake-based torque vectoring. It offered a luxurious ride and impressive agility, with carbon-ceramic brakes providing excellent stopping power. Off-road capabilities included the Terrain Response system, hill descent control, and ascent control, with up to 11 inches of ground clearance.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 was well-equipped even in Core trim, with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. A panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims offered features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, though their design could catch on clothing. The XC90 provided a commanding driving position with good sightlines, but the climate control struggled in hot weather. The SUV seated seven or six with captain's chairs, with a comfortable second-row bench and a tight but accommodating third row. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use but expanded to 65.5 cubic feet with it folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered more room than the Velar but remained a midsize SUV. It was a two-row, five-seater, with front-seat headroom comparable to other midsize luxury SUVs. Rear-seat headroom was slightly less than some competitors, but reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation were standard. The Range Rover Sport had 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. It lacked a split tailgate but featured power operation and an "access height" setting for easier loading. The SUV's towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, and 6,614 pounds for plug-in hybrids, surpassing some rivals.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, including Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. These features were complimentary for four years, with subscription payments required afterward. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with optional Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio systems. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The digital voice assistant was generally effective, though sometimes required different prompts. The XC90 also included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and optional head-up display and surround-view camera.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The screens were visually appealing, but the minimalist design limited physical controls, making some functions less convenient. Steering-wheel controls offered limited alternatives, but the Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive and featured natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 test car had "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience, though it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in all but rollover resistance, where it received four stars. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023. However, its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were not as innovative as some rivals. The XC90 included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, but it struggled with certain road conditions and made a significant error during testing, affecting confidence in the system.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication.