The 2020 Volvo XC90 Hybrid comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed automatic.Lightly refreshed exterior design.Six-seat option available for T6 and T8 Momentum and Inscription models.Digital driver display and road sign identification now standard.Expected increase in EV range for T8 plug-in hybrid.
Pros Elegant interior and exterior styling Precise handling that inspires confidence Spacious second- and third-row seating for a midsize SUV Many standard safety technology features Available as a plug-in hybrid
Cons Overly busy ride quality for a vehicle in its class Comes up short in performance and real-world fuel economy Some touchscreen controls can be hard to use
The XC90 receives a visual freshening for 2020 by way of a new grille and front bumper; Volvo also has restyled the XC90's wheels. Base Momentum models now come with low-profile roof rails and integrated tailpipes while sporty R-Design models swap matte silver exterior trim for gloss black. All XC90 models now come standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, R-Design and Inscription trims gain front parking sensors as standard, and Volvo has tweaked the operation of both the rear cross-traffic alert feature and added active-steering support for the City Safety driver-assistance feature.
Pros Sleek exterior, chic cabin, a plethora of standard driver-assistance features.
Cons Unrefined engine sounds, flinty ride, laggy infotainment response upon startup.
The 2020 Volvo XC90's #11 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Midsize SUVs category. Currently the Volvo XC90 has a score of 7.6 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 39 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros First-rate cabin materials Spacious seating and cargo areas Many standard tech and safety features Good fuel economy
Cons Poor predicted reliability rating Tepid performance from base engine Jittery ride when equipped with larger wheels
The 2020 BMW X3 M comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic.Turbocharged six-cylinder engine produces 473 horsepower or 503 in Competition model.All-wheel-drive system sourced from the BMW M5.Updated suspension components and chassis reinforcement.
Pros Accelerates faster than many sports cars Grip and handling are excellent Still as practical as a standard X3
Cons Excessively stiff ride, even in the softest setting Exhaust can drone at highway speeds
BMW's heroic performance SUV lineup now has a compact offering in the form of the X3 M and the X3 M Competition. Honestly, we're surprised it took this long for the masters at the M performance division to swap out the X3's already sporty suspension with even sportier gear and drop in a more powerful engine.
BMW's X3 M Competition promises to blend urban family friendliness with spirited road and track performance. But we threw that out the window and instead went rallying in the Outback.
Pros Impressive surrogate rally car chops Great chassis on clay Proper M-spec running gear Bloody quick on dirt
Cons Cleaning out the bulldust afterwards
