Both the Highlander and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota's powertrain warranty covers the Highlander 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Highlander's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the XC90'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.

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.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Highlander V6 is faster than the XC90 T6:

The Highlander stops shorter than the XC90:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the XC90 (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R19).

The front and rear suspension of the Highlander uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the Highlander's turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the XC90's (38.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Highlander's turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the XC90's (38.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Highlander is 3.7 inches shorter than the XC90, making the Highlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XC90 can only carry up to 7.

The Highlander has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room, 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room, .7 inches more third row hip room and 8.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The XC90's third row seats don't recline.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

The Highlander has a much higher standard payload capacity than the XC90 (1455 vs. 1210 lbs.).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Highlander to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the XC90.

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 XC90's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The XC90 doesn't offer a locking fuel door.

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 XC90 doesn't offer extendable visors.

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