Compare the2022 Volvo XC90VS 2021 Genesis GV80

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC90 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Genesis GV80 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the middle seat belts.

The XC90’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The GV80 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC90 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Genesis GV80 doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. Genesis doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the GV80. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The GV80’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC90 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The GV80 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The XC90 has standard Automatic Braking After Collision, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GV80 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the XC90’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the XC90 and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 around view monitors.

The XC90’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the GV80’s (12 vs. 7 years).

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the XC90 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The GV80’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the XC90 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the XC90’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GV80’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The XC90 Recharge’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 25 more horsepower (400 vs. 375) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (472 vs. 391) than the GV80’s optional 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the XC90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder is faster than the Genesis GV80 turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running on electricity gets better mileage than the GV80:

On the EPA test cycle the XC90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the GV80:

The XC90 Recharge can drive on battery power alone for up to 18 miles. The GV80 must run its internal combustion engine to move.

Regenerative brakes improve the XC90 T8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GV80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The XC90 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GV80 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The XC90 stops shorter than the GV80:

For better traction, the XC90’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GV80 (275/45R20 vs. 265/40R22).

The XC90’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GV80’s optional 40 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XC90’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the GV80 (117.5 inches vs. 116.3 inches).

The XC90 T6 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the GV80 ADVANCED AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XC90 T6 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GV80 Standard AWD (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XC90 w/19” wheels’ turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the GV80’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XC90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV80 (8.8 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XC90 w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the GV80 (9.9 vs. 8.1 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the XC90 T6 AWD is quieter than the GV80 ADVANCED AWD (71 vs. 72 dB).

The XC90 has .1 inches more rear headroom, 2 inches more third row headroom and 1.6 inches more third row legroom than the GV80.

The XC90’s cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

The XC90’s cargo area is larger than the GV80’s in every dimension:

The XC90 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The GV80 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC90 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

If the windows are left open on the XC90 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GV80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC90 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The GV80 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC90 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC90 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A manual rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are optional in the XC90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GV80 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Volvo XC90, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

Motor Trend selected the XC90 as their 2016 Sport Utility of the Year. The GV80 has never been chosen.

The XC90 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2016. The GV80 has never been an “All Star.”

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC90 as the 2016 North American Truck of the Year. The GV80 has never been chosen.