Compare the2023 Toyota Rav4 PrimeVS 2023 Volvo XC60

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Prime. But it costs extra on the XC60.

Both the Rav4 Prime and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Rav4 Prime the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC60 has not been fully tested, yet.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Rav4 Prime 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Prime’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Prime’s reliability 23 points higher than the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 84 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 14th.

The Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (302 vs. 247) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (302 vs. 295) than the XC60 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 Prime is faster than the Volvo XC60:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Prime running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

The Rav4 Prime can travel longer on electricity, only, on a full charge than the XC60 on electricity, only, on a full charge:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Rav4 Prime uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Rav4 Prime higher (7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the Rav4 Prime produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The Rav4 Prime has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XC60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Rav4 Prime stops shorter than the XC60:

The front and rear suspension of the Rav4 Prime uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Rav4 Prime XSE handles at .83 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Prime SE’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the XC60’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Rav4 Prime is 4.5 inches shorter than the XC60, making the Rav4 Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Rav4 Prime uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Rav4 Prime has 1.5 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4 Prime’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XC60 with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Rav4 Prime has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XC60 with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

The Rav4 Prime’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Rav4 Prime, using the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC60.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Rav4 Prime’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Rav4 Prime has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Rav4 Prime XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XC60 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4 Prime, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Volvo XC60 by over 11 to one during 2022.