Compare the2022 Volvo XC90VS 2021 Tesla Model X

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Model X 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 Tesla Model X 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. Tesla doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Model X. 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 Model X’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 Model X 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 Model X 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the XC90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model X doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The XC90 offers an optional 360-Degree Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XC90’s standard cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model X doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The XC90’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model X doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The XC90 has standard Volvo On Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model X doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the XC90 and the Model X 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the Tesla Model X:

	XC90	Model X
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	18 lbs.	33 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	217	228
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	52 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volvo XC90 is safer than the Tesla Model X:

	XC90	Model X
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	51	101
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	153 G’s	157 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	274
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	383 lbs.	625 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the XC90 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Model X has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The XC90’s corrosion warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model X’s (12/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Tesla doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Model X.

There are over 2 times as many Volvo dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the XC90’s warranty.

Reliability

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 XC90’s reliability 11 points higher than the Model X.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volvo 29th in initial quality. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla 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 Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volvo 25th in reliability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 7 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

Engine

The XC90 has more powerful engines than the Model X:

	Torque
XC90 T5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	258 lbs.-ft.
XC90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder	295 lbs.-ft.
XC90 Recharge 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid	472 lbs.-ft.
Model X Long Range electric motors
Model X Plaid electric motors

Fuel Economy and Range

The XC90 T5’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 564 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model X’s range is only 371 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 15 minutes for only a 49% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC90 Recharge’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model X:

	XC90 Recharge	Model X
Front Rotors	14.4 inches	14 inches

The XC90 stops shorter than the Model X:

	XC90	Model X
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC90’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model X (275/45R20 vs. 265/35R22).

The XC90 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Recharge) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Model X; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The XC90 T6 AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the Model X pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the XC90 w/19” wheels’ turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Model X’s (38.7 feet vs. 40.8 feet). The XC90 w/22” wheels’ turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Model X’s (39.7 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the XC90 w/Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Model X (9.9 vs. 9 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Volvo XC90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 850 pounds less than the Tesla Model X.

The XC90 is 3.3 inches shorter than the Model X, making the XC90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The XC90 has .4 inches more front hip room, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 6.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Model X.

Cargo Capacity

The XC90’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Model X 6-Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the XC90’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Model X doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the XC90’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model X doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

While the Model X w/22” wheels can only tow 3480, any XC90 can tow a minimum of 4000 pounds.

Ergonomics

The XC90 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model X doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The XC90’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model X’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC90 has a standard rear wiper. The Model X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 Model X doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The XC90’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model X doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

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 Model X doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the XC90 Inscription keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model X doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The XC90 has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Model X doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The XC90 Inscription offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Model X.

The XC90 has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The XC90 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Model X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XC90 is less expensive to operate than the Model X because typical repairs cost less on the XC90 than the Model X, including $53 less for a water pump and $157 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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

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

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