Compare the2023 Volvo XC60VS 2023 Toyota Venza

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo XC60 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 Toyota Venza doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The XC60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Venza doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC60 and Venza have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Venza’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC60 offers optional built in child booster seats. They’re more crash worthy than an added child seat because of their direct attachment to the seat. Toyota doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Venza. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC60 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC60 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC60’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Venza’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC60 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 Venza doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the XC60’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Venza doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the XC60 and the Venza 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volvo XC60 is safer than the Toyota Venza:

	XC60	Venza
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	152
Neck Injury Risk	22%	29.3%
Neck Stress	198 lbs.	306 lbs.
Neck Compression	15 lbs.	56 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	178	284
Neck Injury Risk	28%	37.4%
Neck Stress	179 lbs.	258 lbs.
Neck Compression	55 lbs.	95 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 XC60 is safer than the Toyota Venza:

	XC60	Venza
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	73	83
Abdominal Force	126 lbs.	138 lbs.
Hip Force	190 lbs.	246 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	49 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	237	299
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	36 G’s
Hip Force	410 lbs.	835 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 XC60 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 112 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Venza is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The XC60 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Venza’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The XC60’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Venza’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC60 for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Venza (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Engine

The XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 28 more horsepower (247 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The XC60 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 76 more horsepower (295 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 236 more horsepower (455 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Toyota Venza:

	XC60	Venza
Zero to 30 MPH	1.9 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.6 sec	12.7 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.4 sec	4.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.5 MPH	87.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPGe
XC60
	AWD	Extended Range Electric Motor	66 city/60 hwy
		T8 Electric Motor	59 city/55 hwy
Venza
			MPG
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	40 city/37 hwy

The XC60 can travel with zero emissions for 19 to 36 miles (dependent on model). The Venza has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

Both the XC60 and Venza have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The XC60 (except XC60 T8) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The XC60 has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Venza (18.8 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The XC60 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 Venza doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the XC60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Venza:

	XC60	XC60 Recharge Polestar Engineered	Venza
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	15.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	11.1 inches

The XC60’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Venza are solid, not vented.

The XC60 stops much shorter than the Venza:

	XC60	Venza
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC60 has larger standard tires than the Venza (235/60R18 vs. 225/60R18). The XC60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Venza (265/35R22 vs. 225/60R18).

The XC60’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 Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC60 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Venza’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The XC60 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Venza’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The XC60 Ultimate has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC60’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Venza doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The XC60 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Venza doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XC60’s wheelbase is 6.9 inches longer than on the Venza (112.8 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XC60 is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Venza.

The XC60 AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the Venza Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XC60 B5 Core AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Venza Limited (26.6 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XC60 w/Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Venza (8.3 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the XC60 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XC60’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Venza (8.5 vs. 8.2 inches).

Passenger Space

The XC60 has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Venza (103 vs. 98.3).

The XC60 has .6 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear legroom and 10.2 inches more rear hip room than the Venza.

Cargo Capacity

The XC60 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Venza with its rear seat folded (63.3 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

Towing

The XC60 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Venza has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC60 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 Venza doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The XC60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Venza uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The XC60 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Venza doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited, the XC60 Ultimate/Polestar has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The XC60’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Venza’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Venza doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the XC60’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Venza’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Venza doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XC60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Venza doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XC60 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

When the XC60 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Venza’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The XC60’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Venza offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the XC60 and the Venza offer available heated front seats. The XC60 Ultimate/Recharge also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Venza.

Model Availability

The XC60 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Venza doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC60 as the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Venza has never been chosen.

The Volvo XC60 outsold the Toyota Venza by 7% during 2022.