Compare the2025 Volvo XC60VS 2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid

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

Safety

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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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC60 and Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC60 Plus/Ultra/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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the XC60 has standard Cross Traffic Alert with Braking Intervention, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE, and isn't offered on other Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid models.

The XC60’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XC60 and the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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, all wheel drive, 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 and available 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	XC60	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	221
Neck Injury Risk	22%	34.5%
Neck Stress	198 lbs.	303 lbs.
Neck Compression	15 lbs.	23 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	178	360
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28%	33.8%
Neck Stress	179 lbs.	195 lbs.
Neck Compression	55 lbs.	99 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	329/351 lbs.	509/328 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the XC60 is much safer than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	XC60	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	193	307
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	XC60	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	190 lbs.	196 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	46 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	237	360
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	45 G’s
Hip Force	410 lbs.	970 lbs.

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

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC60 for 1 year and 5000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (3/30,000 vs. 2/25000).

Engine

The XC60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 153 more horsepower (455 vs. 302) than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the XC60 T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	XC60	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
Zero to 30 MPH	1.9 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	4.8 sec	6.3 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.2 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.4 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	107 MPH	97 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The XC60 has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	XC60	XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	15.7 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	12.4 inches

The XC60 stops much shorter than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

	XC60	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	195 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	144 feet	155 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the XC60 has larger standard tires than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (235/60R18 vs. 225/60R18). The XC60’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (265/35R22 vs. 235/55R19).

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XC60 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The XC60 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (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 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

The XC60 handles at .88 G’s, while the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XC60 B5 Core executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE (26.6 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the XC60 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE (8.5 vs. 8 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE (8.5 vs. 8.2 inches).

Passenger Space

The XC60 has .3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear legroom and 7.7 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the XC60 easier. The XC60’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 27.8 inches.

Towing

The XC60’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 2500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The XC60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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

Unlike the driver-only memory seat optional at extra cost in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE, the XC60 Ultra/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 standard Keyless Entry & Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Smart Key System is not available on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE.

The XC60’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Consumer Reports rated the XC60’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Volvo XC60 and Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The XC60 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The XC60 Ultra offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volvo XC60 and the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC60 as the 2018 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Rav4 has never been chosen.

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