Compare the2025 Aston Martin DBXVS 2024 Volvo XC90

The Aston Martin DBX 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 DBX and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The DBX comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The XC90’s 50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 450 more horsepower (697 vs. 247) and 406 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 258) than the XC90 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 402 more horsepower (697 vs. 295) and 354 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 310) than the XC90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The DBX’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 242 more horsepower (697 vs. 455) and 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (664 vs. 523) than the XC90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Aston Martin DBX is faster than the XC90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the DBX’s fuel efficiency. The XC90 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the DBX and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All DBXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC90 Recharge doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The DBX has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 (22.5 vs. 18.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The DBX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XC90. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Aston Martin DBX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the XC90.

The DBX’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XC90 doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The DBX has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The XC90 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The DBX stops much shorter than the XC90:

For better traction, the DBX has larger tires than the XC90 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 235/55R19). The DBX’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. 275/45R20).

The DBX’s standard 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC90’s standard 55 series tires. The DBX’s optional 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the XC90’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the DBX has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC90. The DBX’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the XC90.

The DBX has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the DBX uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC90, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The DBX offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC90.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the DBX’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the XC90 (120.5 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the DBX is 1.2 inches wider in the front than the average track on the XC90.

The DBX707 handles at .97 G’s, while the XC90 B6 Core pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The DBX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the XC90 B6 Ultimate (24.4 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the DBX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC90 (9.3 vs. 8.8 inches), allowing the DBX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the DBX707 is quieter than the XC90 B6 Core (45 vs. 48 dB).

The DBX has 5.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (109 vs. 103.8).

The DBX has 2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and 3.9 inches more rear legroom than the XC90.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the DBX when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The XC90 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

The DBX has a much larger cargo volume than the XC90 with its rear seat up (22.5 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The DBX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (5940 vs. 5000 pounds).

The engine in the DBX 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.

The DBX’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 better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the DBX has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The XC90 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the DBX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The XC90 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The DBX’s Auto Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The XC90 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.