Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2022 Volvo XC90

The Toyota Sequoia has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Sequoia and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 625 to 1658 pounds more than the Volvo XC90. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Sequoia 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 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 Sequoia’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 Sequoia’s reliability 48 points higher than the XC90.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia third among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The XC90 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 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 19th in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 45 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Volvo is ranked 18th.

The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 131 more horsepower (381 vs. 250) and 143 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 258) than the XC90 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 65 more horsepower (381 vs. 316) and 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 295) than the XC90 T6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Sequoia is faster than the XC90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Sequoia uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC90 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Sequoia has 7.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sequoia has 7.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 18.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the Sequoia’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger tires than the XC90 (275/65R18 vs. 235/55R19).

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XC90; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Sequoia has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC90’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the Sequoia uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the XC90 (122 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the XC90.

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the XC90 w/19” wheels’ (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Sequoia’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the XC90 w/22” wheels’ (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XC90 (10 vs. 8.8 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sequoia’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the XC90 w/Air Suspension (10 vs. 9.9 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Sequoia 4x4 is quieter than the XC90 T6 AWD:

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XC90 can only carry 7.

The Sequoia has 1.6 inches more front legroom, 6.5 inches more front hip room, 8.7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 3.4 inches more rear hip room, 9.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.4 inches more third row legroom, 5.5 inches more third row hip room and 18.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The XC90’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

The Sequoia’s cargo area is larger than the XC90’s in almost every dimension:

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (7100 vs. 4000 pounds).

The Sequoia has a higher standard payload capacity than the XC90 (1250 vs. 1210 lbs.).

The Sequoia has a higher maximum payload capacity than the XC90 (1350 vs. 1210 lbs.).

The engine in the Sequoia is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Sequoia to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, air filter replacement, tire rotation, radiator flush, brake pad replacement and transmission fluid replacement based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the XC90.

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XC90 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Sequoia’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Sequoia has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Sequoia owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sequoia will cost $130 to $4030 less than the XC90 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sequoia is less expensive to operate than the XC90 because it costs $227 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sequoia than the XC90, including $534 less for a water pump, $238 less for a muffler, $62 less for front brake pads, $116 less for fuel injection, $21 less for a fuel pump and $896 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC90 isn't recommended.