The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The XC70 doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

To help make backing safer, the Highlander Limited/Platinum's cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The XC70 doesn't offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Highlander and the XC70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Highlander its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC70 has not been tested, yet.

Toyota's powertrain warranty covers the Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC70. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC70 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Highlander's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the XC70's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 3 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Volvo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 33% better than the XC70.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 19th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The Highlander's optional 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 20 more horsepower (270 vs. 250) than the XC70 T5's standard 2.5 turbo 5 cyl.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC70 T5 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Highlander's brake rotors are larger than those on the XC70:

The Highlander stops shorter than the XC70:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the XC70 (245/60R18 vs. 235/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The XC70's largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is .9 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than on the XC70.

The Highlander XLE AWD handles at .81 G's, while the XC70 AWD pulls only .80 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Highlander XLE AWD executes Motor Trend's “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC70 AWD (27.8 seconds @ .62 average G's vs. 28.5 seconds @ .58 average G's).

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XC70 can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 46.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC70 (144.9 vs. 98).

The Highlander has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.8 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC70.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The XC70's rear seats don't recline.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the XC70.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The XC70's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Volvo XC70 is limited to 3300 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander Limited/Platinum'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 XC70's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To shield the driver and front passenger's vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Highlander has standard extendable sun visors. The XC70 doesn't offer extendable visors.

Standard air conditioned seats in the Highlander Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC70 doesn't offer air conditioned seats.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum 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 XC70 doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. Kiplinger's estimates that the Highlander will retain a greater percentage of its original price after three and five years than the XC70.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander second among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner's expectations. The XC70 isn't in the top three in its category.