Welcome to the forum, though somewhat new myself here
I will take a crack at your questions based on my personal experience and understandings. It's gonna be a long rely. Hopefully, you are ready for it. A bit of background of myself regarding both brands. I've never owned a subaru, have an 07 XC70 for about 4years now and just purchased an XC90 T8 ER about 2mo ago.

AWD-wise, can say much about how they compare. My experience with the 07 XC70 is great as far as wet/snowy conditions. Have driven through blizzard at 50MPH without much issue with triple snow peak all season tires. From online reviews, it seems volvos are good for fine loose surface like snow or fire roads. Anything require articulation, you are better off with 4x4s.

Reliability-wise, subaru will likely be better. There are people with new volvo ran into power train issues, but most seems to be working ok initially. Only time will tell how well the new T8 ER will hold up. Many volvo components have software side of things, which isn't an tech issue rather an access to volvo software issue. This makes minor component replacement a bit trickier in my opinion. Volvo software, VIDA, requires rather expensive and cumbersome subscriptions.

Cost of maintenance will for sure be higher for volvo than subaru. Labor and parts cost quite a bit more. However, I like to tackle fluids and brakes myself to save time and to know what's in the vehicle). Volvo's hybrid system and air suspension (if you ever choose so), but even will be the major items for getting an extended warranty, which you can get online from Stein Volvo, I believe (not something we can get in California apparently and sadly).

The T8 ER is definitely exciting to driving for a 5000lb SUV. The combine 455hp definitely gives you amble amount of power to accelerate at any speed. The ones with air suspension feels firm, but composed, not sure on the non-air ones. It does handle corners well, but you will certainly feel the body roll in sustained cornering. It is an SUV, so I'm not expecting high spring rates, but less damping may be nice.

The T8s have different drive modes, so you can choose to use battery only, gas only (with battery hold), or both (constant AWD/off-road/power modes). Battery only drives the rear wheels, gas only drives the front wheel, so it's like you are getting FWD, RWD and AWD all at the same time.

Space-wise, it will probably fit all 6 of you, but comfort level will depend on the age of your children and the amount of supplies you need to carry with you. Storage space is probably not going to be a good as the mini vans (many with under floor stow away space).

EV range varies based on road condition and driving habits. It seems typically you get some where between 30 - 40mi on the full charge.
The gas motor itself can get to 26 - 27MPG at 65 - 70MPH without the use of the battery. With hybrid mode, it usually goes to 35 - 40MPG for us with some traffic (yes, it's weird, but traffic does help with MPG by utilizing the battery system).

No experience with service road/ snow yet, but I'd imagine it would do fine with some of the videos I've seen.

Lastly, I want to touch on firm ride and nimble handling. In my opinion, most of cars nowadays are too firm on the damping, which gives people the feeling of sporty-ness, but too soft in the spring rate department, which often shows when you make long turns. Being firm in damping and soft in spring tend to make handling less nimble (body roll and weight transfer), but can be compensated with more responsive tires and suspension geometry. In short, I do think the XC90s are relatively sporty, but I don't think they are sporty in the right way, if that make sense.

 

The following responses are based on owning a t6 and having done a lot of research on the t8 before buying a t6

How does the AWD compare to Subaru? Worse, especially the t8 since it only activated when slippage detected (bit of a delay) or in full time awd, which is a lot less efficient. Pure mode (all electric) is only rwd. Not saying it’s bad, just not as good
How does reliability compare? Worse, especially the t8. See multiple posts below of people having trouble with their ER t8’s. Though newer Subarus haven’t been nearly as reliable as they once were, as per my Subaru tech friend. Outside of the hybrid components (erad, hvch, etc) later model xc90’s seem to be quite reliable. At least the mechanical stuff. Good idea to get a factory backed extended warranty if you plan on keeping it long
Is the cost to maintain a volvo (regular maintenance, brakes, oil changes, etc) a lot more expensive than a non-luxury brand? Yes, quite a bit more expensive after first 3 free services. But prepaid maintenance (purchased thru steingold or having selling dealer match SG’s price) is actually a pretty good deal and from my experience, far cheaper than paying for individual services
Is it fun to drive in the corners (I know it's an SUV, but it's a 455hp SUV!)? Not really especially compared to your WRX, but the air suspension makes it a lot more enjoyable in “dynamic” mode.
Is it AWD all the time or does it handle more like a FWD until the car thinks it needs AWD for traction? rwd in pure mode, fwd when running off gas engine, combination of gas & electric in awd
How does it handle larger families like ours? Quite well for the size of the vehicle, but not much cargo space with 3rd row in use. Would recommend a roof box and/or hitch cargo box for luggage if using 3rd row
For the Extended Range version, what's the real world EV only mileage?
How about real world mileage when the battery is empty, but still driving in hybrid mode?
Is it something you could take off road (such as forest service roads) or taking into the mountains when it's heavily snowing? Definitely, but especially with air suspension. In off-road mode with good tires, should be as capable as anything else that doesn’t have locking differentials


We are specifically looking at the Inscription Expression trim (or 2023 equivalent), we don't need the air suspension, etc. I prefer firmer suspension, not softer. And I prefer quick/nimble handling instead of 'cushy' handling.

Very highly recommend getting air suspension if you can swing it. Rides much nicer in comfort mode, handles much flatter in dynamic mode, and you gain ground clearance in off-road mode. Also can set it to drop down when parked for easier loading (and it looks cool). It was the one must-have feature that we were not willing to compromise on. Really is a night & day difference in the way the car rides & handles

We briefly looked at an ascent before buying the xc90 and it obviously isn’t in the same class of vehicle. Absolutely nothing about the Ascent felt remotely special…it just seemed like an appliance. If we were going to go with an appliance-type vehicle, IMO the all wheel drive Sienna hybrid is a better vehicle.

The xc90, on the other hand, just feels special. From the gorgeous & comfortable interior to the sublime ride of the air suspension, it is just a really nice place to be. While I prefer to drive most of my vehicles with anger, the xc90 is the only one I actually enjoy just cruising around in. Add in the relatively low profile (compared to MB, bmw, etc) and stellar safely, it was a no brainer for us.

We would have bought a t8 with a fat warranty if only our closest dealer weren’t so far away.

 

The Subaru is available with a CD player. Every other car is not.

Seriously, I seriously considered the Subaru 3 row vehicle (Ascent) over its 3 row competitors including the XC90 for this very reason.

At least the Bowers & Wilkins option partially compensates but it does irk me that adding a $3,000 sound system still does not allow for including a CD player. Apparently Volvo was allowing for one in some markets up until about two years ago.

Here are some screen shots from the XC90 video review showing placement of the CD player. It is positioned vertically at the rear of the front seat console.

And here is with the console lid closed so the CD player is covered.

And this is for confirmation that the CD player is added to the Bowers & Wilkins sound system:

 

I just picked up a T8 non ER. It’s FWD unless you have the constant AWD mode on. I think it’s safe to assume that over the long run, maintenance on the Ascent could be A LOT cheaper. European brands have expensive parts and the T8 is a much more complex machine than an Ascent. I haven’t looked up the price of a loaded ascent but I have to guess that MSRP are quite diff between the two cars. Most people cross shop the ascent with the pilot, Highlander, etc while i cross shopped the xc90 with a GLE, x5 and a GV80. Even a Platinum HL Hybrid is minimum $20k less than my T8. Lastly I don’t drive off road but having low profile tires on a 20/21 inch wheel doesn’t seem like a smart move especially without a spare tire being included.

 

We had 2 Outbacks before we bought a 2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country. It's a smaller car than the XC90, but it was the negativity of the Volvo experience that caused us to get rid of the V60CC in less than a year with only about 3K miles on it and buy another Outback (a 2022, which we love). The current vehicle buying climate helped out as V60CCs are scarce and in demand (go figure) so we actually walked out of the V60CC with the new Outback and a substantial check to us from the dealer.

Now the why. The Volvo dealer's service department was knowledgeless, and incompetent, (hope your dealer is better) and Volvos are VERY quirky cars. They need constant software updates, and it seemed that every time our V60CC needed an update the service department couldn't get the software (yes, I know about the global supply chain problems, and chip shortages, but we paid a good buck for this car and expected way more).
Volvo tends to make poor and unilateral, software and equipment choices and impose upon the customer to take it or leave it (ask someone, or search this forum, about the "Care Key" debacle).
Poor quality control. Our car got shipped from Sweden, off the boat, delivered to the dealer, sold, prepped, and delivered, and nobody noticed (or cared) that the front fenders (both of them) and the hood and front cowl were all misaligned. It spent 2 days in the body shop the week after we got it home and was never really right.

Basic vehicle systems operation is not intuitive at all. The operator's manual is electronic only, and not at all clear, easy to access, or helpful once you do access it. For example: try to look up how to use the navigation system in the manual. You search for "navigation" but that doesn't get you to any information on how to use that system. We learned how to use it by trial and error because there is really no step-by-step guidance in the manual at all. The locking gas cap has a 5 second delay, after you lock the car...ours sometimes, never locked at all (software was blamed but they couldn't fix it). Open the car door without a key fob anywhere near the car and the radio begins to play...and you can't shut it off until you go get a fob, start the car, and then turn car and radio off (pesky software again - update NOT available for 6 MONTHS).

And, I know, low profile tires on 21 inch wheels are installed on a car for appearance sake, but the V60CC is supposed to have some "off road" aspirations. Try to get the dealer to get a smaller wheel with less low profile tire, NOPE, all it has is wheels that are so big, and tire sidewalls that are so small wheel curb rash is nearly inevitable.

Save yourself money, time, and aggravation... buy the Subaru.

 

So we looked hard at the Ascent. Our family’s still driving a 2001 Forester that we bought new and plan to use to teach our daughters to drive stick shift (and yes, I’m also from the PNW…doing our bit to help with stereotypes). That’s how much we like Subarus. We looked hard at the Ascent. That said, the XC90 drew us in and we love it.

• AWD is totally different. Subaru’s king of the hill there. I think of our T8 ER as a FWD gas car and RWD electric car that play well together. Only had it a few weeks so can’t speak to winter weather but I’ve heard there’s a hesitation when it has to fire up the gas engine for traction. There’s a full-time AWD mode to let the gas engine stay running.
• The Ascent had a bunch of recalls and still has transmission issues from the research we did. I don’t harbor any illusions about maintenance costs on a European car but the XC90 seemed less likely to strand us somewhere. The warranty also was a lot better on the Volvo from what I remember. Dealer costs definitely will be higher too but I’m hoping for a lot less wear and tear on the gas components since we’re going to be all electric driving outside of road trips every several months.
• We never got to drive an Ascent thanks to (no) dealer inventory but the XC90 is tons of fun to drive. We’ve driven Foresters of every vintage from 2000 to 2020 because why wouldn’t a hipster from WA…the Volvo is way smoother and has the fun of the stupid quick electric acceleration. That said, sometimes it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow
• We got the Volvo partially because as our neighbor with an XC40 explained it “Volvos exist to transport air bags.” We wanted the safest family car possible. That said, not sure the XC90 will work for you. The only LATCH anchors are outboard in the second row. You might have to get the seven seat version with integrated booster in the middle seat. Putting three kids in the second row, one in the third, and keeping one seat down for cargo is probably the best case scenario there and still not optimal.
• We’re seeing 35ish miles EV range. Low 20s for highway MPG. In-town even with a depleted battery it does a lot better (high 20s) because of regenerative braking. I love B mode and my wife hates it.
• No idea on actual off-road but it’s quite smooth on dirt roads.
  
  
  
  

 

I've become a big Volvo fan myself, but reading your post I think you'd be unhappy with it. If you walked into my store I'd be happy to help but based on your questions I would be shocked if you ended up buying. Luxury cars require a little less caring and a little more enjoying the finer things in life. Plastic cups are better than crystal glasses when drinking. I prefer crystal for the experience though.

 

Comparing a Subaru to a Volvo is like comparing apple and motorcycles. No comparison! I had a Subaru and the comfort level is a No brainer. Subaru also wanted me in their garage every 6 months even if I only drove 2000kms. Cash grab. Volvo, once a year. And cheaper service here in Canada. I will never drive anything else but a Volvo. I’m converted for life.

 

How does the AWD compare to Subaru?

Haven't really used the AWD much yet, and I believe it is very different from my previous ICE XC90, which was phenomenal, but the Subaru p[probably have the edge

How does reliability compare?

Volvo's in general have their issues, but dealers are also generally good at handling them. I've had three XC90's now, first was traded in after 18 months as an almost lemon, second one no issues at all, now on the T8 ER, no issues so far after 3 months.

Is the cost to maintain a volvo (regular maintenance, brakes, oil changes, etc) a lot more expensive than a non-luxury brand?

Probably yes, but as others have mentioned the first 4 or something are free and then you can get reasonable deals on service contracts.

Is it fun to drive in the corners (I know it's an SUV, but it's a 455hp SUV!)?

The T8 is definitely heavier than the ICE model, but is is still very exciting to drive.

Is it AWD all the time or does it handle more like a FWD until the car thinks it needs AWD for traction?

Someone else answered this I think.

How does it handle larger families like ours?

Pretty good. We are only four people usually, but when my parents visit we manage to sit everyone comfortably. And as someone else said, roof rack or hitch storage help[s a lot.

For the Extended Range version, what's the real world EV only mileage?

I get an average of 40-42 EV only. My wife gets 35-36 when she drives it.

How about real world mileage when the battery is empty, but still driving in hybrid mode?

High 20's.

Is it something you could take off road (such as forest service roads) or taking into the mountains when it's heavily snowing?

I would think so, but haven't done it (it's been spring summer through my ownership so far.


Final comment. We also test drove the Subaru a few years back, and while it functionally met all our requirements, once we tried the XC90, there was no going back! And to add, if possible get air suspension and B&W sound system.

 

So, I'll provide another perspective. I have been a Volvo guy since 2011. Have enjoyed driving every Volvo I had (2012 S60, 2016 XC60, 2016 XC90). That being said, expect some reliability issues when comparing some of the other mainstream brands. With every Volvo I've had, there's been some sort of issue that has popped up that soured my overall experience. In March this year, my XC90 decided that it would start unbalancing its balance shafts in the engine. Since I didn't have an extended warranty and even though there was a TSB on it, Volvo Customer Care would do nothing for me. This was going to be a $7,000 repair. Add in needing tires soon (it was an Inscription, so it had the 21" wheels) to the tune of $2,000+, and I ended up making the decision to look for a different vehicle and leave Volvo behind.

I needed a 3-row SUV, as I load lots of DJ equipment into my vehicle during the year. I decided on starting with the mainstream brands, as the equivalent cost to get into them with roughly the same options was much lower. Safety was also a priority, so that was one of the top things on my list of requirements as well. I narrowed my search down to 4 vehicles: the Ford Explorer, the Subaru Ascent, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Volkswagen Atlas. After test-driving each one extensively, I bought a Palisade Limited. The Explorer's interior seemed cheap to me, the engine noise was pronounced, and the throttle tip-in was WAY aggressive with their 2.3L 4-cylinder. The Subaru Ascent's interior wasn't that special, the cargo floor with the captain's chairs wasn't flat, and the CVT wasn't very responsive. The Atlas had the most room, but the interior was a dungeon of black cheap plastic.

The Palisade, on the other hand, should in essence be branded as a Genesis. The interior is on-par with the luxury brands. I'll admit that some of the ergonomics could be better (the infotainment system is a little far to reach - much prefer the XC90's tablet-style), but the center console has usable space and the whole vehicle has LOTS of storage, cupholders, USB ports (something that the XC90 misses the mark on), and heated & ventilated 1st AND 2nd row seats. The engine is much quieter and smoother than the Volvo and I actually get slightly better mileage with the Palisade's 3.8L V6 than the Volvo's 2L 4-cylinder.

The things I miss about the Volvo? The brand exclusivity factor is no longer there, which is not a big deal for me. One thing I REALLY miss is the B&W audio system. The Palisade has a decent Harman Kardon system, but it doesn't hold a candle to the B&W. The immediacy of the acceleration of the T6 is also something I miss, though I definitely don't miss having to purchase 91+ octane fuel in the current gas price climate. The Palisade's transmission has a little hesitation when kicking down, and that turbo/supercharger combo in the XC90 made for some fun accelerating. The Volvo seats were more coddling, though this also lead to a feeling of confinement that I don't have in the Palisade. I also miss touching the exterior door handle and having all the doors unlock - I have to press a button on the door handle in order for that to happen on the Palisade.

I admit that I miss some things about my XC90, but I absolutely love the Palisade. Just got back from a 2,000-mile roadtrip from Chicago to Williamsburg, VA and back, and I averaged 25.4 MPG, even going through the mountains.

Just a little food for thought for ya...

 

Since I didn't have an extended warranty and even though there was a TSB on it, Volvo Customer Care would do nothing for me. This was going to be a $7,000 repair.

Just an FYI, a TSB doesn't mean it's then under warranty.. TSBs, for any brand, just mean there is a known solution for a known problem that could happen. It doesn't change the liability, it's just meant to save time on diag and prevent throwing parts at something.. which saves customers both time and money (whether the customer is you paying or the warranty company).

 

Won't rehash all of it, but if you love the PHEV of your Chrysler, Volvo's PHEV is very nice as well, I absolutely love that on my S90.
Also, if you liked your Chrysler (I am also a huge MOPAR fan), consider a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe, WHEN they actually become available. They will be pricy, but not when compared to the Volvo.
And they do the drivetrain right, either EV/ICE/Both is all through the same transmission and transfercase, so you can even 4x4 in low range at zero rpm in EV mode. And get over 4" of air suspension travel. They are in 2 row and 3 row now (Like the Durango), and the new WLs are gorgeous inside and out, with more tech than my Volvo available.
I also have a 2021 Grand Cherokee L Summit (3 row) and I have had many, many Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep products, and loved every one of them.
I acknowledge that there are ferociously loyal Subaru fans, and have several close family members that have them, but I don't get it. I have yet to see one that doesn't feel just plain cheap to me, and they are all too basic overall. But hey, that is why every car is different, many people hate stuff I have owned!

 

I'll mention 1 thing that hasn't been addressed before.

Background context: I still own my since-new MY2002 bugeye WRX as my daily driver, as 1 of 3 Subarus I've owned so far. I was waiting for the Ascent but in 2017 the timing didn't work out, and got a MY2018 T6 xc90 instead.

Now for the 1 thing, related to your having 4 child seats + 2 adults;
( 1 ) If you choose the 7-seater option (which was the only option for me in 2017), there is a nice middle 2nd row seat option for an integrated booster seat. It's a convenient feature when you occasionally need a booster seat but don't want to carry a booster seat with you.
( 2 ) If you choose the 6-seater option, the outboard 2nd rows won't have aisle-side armrests. But this is the better configuration for up to 4 child seats/booster imho.

For option 1 above, the xc90 with optional integrated booster seat is probably better than Ascent's offering. For option 2, the Ascent has aisle-side armrests, and it has that nice grab handle for getting in & out of the 3rd row via the 2nd row aisle.

 

Be sure to consider Ascent‘s new face for MY23. Carefully.

2023 Subaru Ascent: not an improvement...

This is the revised front end of the Subaru Ascent for 2023.And it is exactly the opposite of an improvement. I mean, just look at this mess.Instead

www.burlappcar.com

 

I

That front end would scare most children!

 

They are in two different price categories. If you want to save money, buy the subaru. If you want luxury get the Volvo. I had a subaru before, and they are reliable and safe vehicles, a bit lacking on refinements though.
As for awd, I find my xc90’s snow performance on par, if not better, than my audi s5. Most of the time it simply comes down to tires. And my S5, with its active torque vectoring rear diff and crown wheel center diff, has a superior awd system than any road legal subaru.

 

My two cents, as a diehard fan of Volvos AND electrified vehicles, and with a poor understanding of the 'Subaru thing'...

If it were me, I would take the Volvo any day, just on the basis of safety and comfort. Subarus are said to be quite safe, but there is no comparison for the solidity and the extensive over-engineering of any Volvo. (Just google Volvo's crash center in Sweden.) My sister has a 2019 Outback Touring -- very nice car, but feels flimsy compared to my grandmother's XC60 which feels like a bomb shelter with lovely seats. The Outback gave me neck-ache after half an hour of driving, for what it's worth, but your experience will likely be different.

The Ascent, I remember hearing, likes to chew through tires and brakes like a much heavier vehicle .... which, incidentally, the XC90 T8 is. Maintenance and consumables will be cheaper on the Subaru, but the experience at a Volvo dealer will be vastly preferable in most cases. That's something that's easy to forget. After spending time at my local Volvo dealer, I never wanted to set foot in any other showroom. (The best part of totaling my Volt was that I never had to go back to the Chevy place.)

Both cars have their achilles' heels in terms of reliability. Google "subaru ascent problems" and you get loads of articles about TERRIBLE ownership experiences -- in fact, some publications rate the Ascent as one of the most troublesome vehicles on the road. Then again, Consumer Reports has made a sport out of bashing the Volvo XC90, and we have witnessed many T8 owners contend with electrical gremlins. In both cases: take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt. Our XC60 T8 (earlier version of the same powertrain) is 4 years old and has no issues, though an O2 sensor does sometimes act up (service department said that this is normal, and does not need to be addressed). And there is also an Ascent in my family, which, to my knowledge, is perfectly fine. It's impossible to predict what your experience will be. Buy the vehicle that you prefer, and take life as it comes. (A Steingold warranty can make Volvo ownership much more pleasant, though.) And anything is an upgrade from a lemon Chrysler.

Ah, the pesky issue of AWD .... Subaru wins against any Volvo. Even my bias can't overcome the fact that Symmetrical AWD rules. HOWEVER, to contradict myself further: here in NH, there have been VERY FEW situations where I, in my front-wheel-drive economy cars, have been unable to get somewhere in the snow. An XC90 T8 on snow tires would likely be quite agreeable in wintry conditions. It is Swedish, after all ... And again, it will be better than the 2WD Pacifica, at the very least.

EV range? I can't pretend to be the expert here. There are lots of owners who are more qualified to provide their insights than I. Our short-range T8 is perfect for local driving as a pure EV, so common logic dictates that the XC90 ER is even better.

For your family? The XC90 is the bigger car, but I'm sure both would be sufficient.

And for your lifestyle ... well, the Subaru is an easier car to 'crap up' as my father would say. But I always think of Volvos as luxury cars that can take a beating. If you're doing off-roading, I may suggest some smaller wheels (18 or 19-inch, whatever clears the brakes) and some beefier tires, because most XC90s nowadays have large [expensive] rims that look easily scratched.

Gas prices being what they are ... and, if the rumor-mill is to be believed, hitting $6/gallon in the next month or two (and more for premium) ... the T8 makes an awful lot of sense. Plus, there's the feel-good factor of significantly lowering your vehicle's carbon output.

Pros for the Ascent: Price, AWD, your family's brand loyalty, lower cost of ownership (theoretically) and 'toughness'.

Pros for the Volvo: Power, efficiency & eco cred (incl. gas savings), safety, luxury interior, added size, style (subjective), dealer experience, comfort.

Put your wife and kids in both and see which one seems to make the family happiest. After all, they're the reason you're in this process.

Sorry to have written so much -- this always happens to me. I hope you find a solution that's close to perfect for your family! And my apologies to other posters whose thoughts I may have inadvertently regurgitated.

 

Hopefully that is a joke. Was a big Subaru enthusiast before moving on to Volvo. That's an awful front end.

 

Get the Volvo, you'll be glad you did!

 

I see you are in Western Washington - I am in BC just a few miles north. I'm familiar with the wet, greasy snow that we get dumped on. My family is 2 of my own in car seats and 2 very close nieces who ride a few times per week with us, also in booster/car seat.

The haldex AWD system in the XC90 surprised me with how capable it was at seamlessly keeping traction. The vehicle feels very predictable and I had no issues climbing hills (live in a mountainside community). I have absolutely zero illusions about the XC90 as an offroader though, to me this is an urban capable vehicle.

Realistically, cars have gotten so good in the last 10 years, anything new that isn't a serious budget purchase will be capable and mechanically quite good. I love the vehicle as a family car that doesn't feel too much like a compromise. The interior is very pleasant, feels premium without being gaudy - and since this is the only part of a vehicle we really get to appreciate, a big factor for me.

Good luck with your decision. Drive both with your family, take your carseats and make the call. I wanted to buy an X5 diesel with the 7 seat option but I couldn't fit a stroller in and the wife said no. In the end, XC90 it was!

 

Wow, thank you all so much. The responses here have been fantastic. I did not expect this to get so many responses and so quickly!

You've all made some very good points.

Tires:
Even the Subaru Ascent comes with lower profile tires now, which seems odd considering they market their vehicles as adventure/dirt road. I'd be replacing the wheels/tires no matter which vehicle we end up with. I prefer more rubber on the side wall.

Seats:
At the moment we have a 9 year old and 7 year old both in booster seats, and our 5 year old in a child car seat. We are expecting our 4th child in September, so add another child seat. The configuration we'd use with the XC90 is using the integrated booster in the middle 2nd row (awesome feature btw, my Wife was really excited about it), two child car seats on the ends of the 2nd row, and another kid in booster in the 3rd row. We'd always have half the 3rd row folded down for more cargo room.

Side note on cargo space. Yes we are taking a big hit on cargo by going from a minivan to an SUV. However, there would be more useable space in the SUV, because with our minivan having 2 seats in 2nd row and 3 in the 3rd row, we'd always have to use the entire 3rd row with 4 kids. We'd be limited to using only the storage behind the 3rd row. With an SUV having 2nd row bench seats, we get to fold down half the 3rd row and still have enough room. We'd be getting a roof cargo holder for those 'as needed' trips.

Looks:
@rfkuehn You made a really good point that I also noticed with 2023 Ascent. Weird placement of chrome! Seriously the lower front end chrome pieces are just weird. Granted Subaru isn't known for interior/exterior aesthetics. Luckily both my Wife and I have similar tastes in vehicle looks. We both prefer the 'blacked out' look. And I know that the topic of chrome can be polarizing, we both do not like chrome. However, I think it's safe to say the XC90 looks far superior to the Ascent even with the chrome. Unfortunately the Ascent "Onyx" (blacked out) trim doesn't come with 8 seats (a requirement to allow half the 3rd row folded down with 4 kids in the car), so it's not an option for us.

I will say our Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan in "S" trim looks pretty dang nice, especially for a minivan!

Cost:
In the grand scheme of things, the overall cost is basically equal (a couple hundred more per year on the Volvo) thanks to current gas prices and our financial situation (tax credits, trade in values, etc, etc). I tend to overthink things and made a spreadsheet showing cost of ownership year by year for 10 years and found the XC90 and Ascent are pretty even for the first few years (using the info I have). The XC90 becomes more expensive years 4 and 5 due to the higher cost of the vehicle and the loan, then less expensive after that every year... Assuming gas continues at $5/gallon minimum (we pay about $6 right now). The cost isn't really that big of a deal, but still factored into the equation. I think the loan difference for us between the Ascent and XC90 would be about $23k more for the XC90.

So the question I've been asking myself, is the XC90 worth that extra $23k? Safety, features, fun, AWD/capability, reliability, aesthetics, comfort, confidence inspiring, etc.

While being a Subaru fan, truthfully I've only ever owned 1 Subaru (my 2004 WRX Wagon) and it's very basic in terms of features (manual transmission, manual HVAC, etc), but it's given us 241k trouble free miles, it's very fun to drive, and still drives like new despite me driving it hard every time I'm behind the wheel. Can Volvo do the same? I'd like to keep our next car for at least 200k miles.

EDIT: I wanted to add one more thing. In early 2021 our Pacifica had 6k miles on it and we took a family trip from Seattle area down to Palm Springs, CA. However, 700 miles into the trip the van died, complete transmission failure and left my family and I stranded in the middle of nowhere (80 mile tow trip!). It spent 2 months at a dealership 700 miles from home. 1 week after getting the van back the bolts literally fell out of the front-right control arm (and loose on front left) causing damage, which could have been extremely dangerous (it steered in random directions despite steering input, again with my whole family in it). So 1 week after getting it back from the transmission issue it was towed again right back to the dealership for another month. Then this year it spent another month at dealership service for various issues (dead heater, various suspension problems, some electronic issues, etc). We bought it for family trips and family hauling and it simply can't do it safely, let alone reliably. Any cost and time saving benefits we got by using it as a plug-in hybrid were completely offset by all the problems it has given us.

In contrast, 2 weeks ago my Dad and I drove his 2010 Subaru Forester over 3,000 miles in 6 days from Gettysburg, PA to Seattle area and had zero issues.

I want a vehicle that can do cross country tips without issue as well. Not being familiar with Volvo's, any feedback on taking one for a long distance trip would be great!

 

While being a Subaru fan, truthfully I've only ever owned 1 Subaru (my 2004 WRX Wagon) and it's very basic in terms of features (manual transmission, manual HVAC, etc), but it's given us 241k trouble free miles, it's very fun to drive, and still drives like new despite me driving it hard every time I'm behind the wheel. Can Volvo do the same? I'd like to keep our next car for at least 200k miles.

If reliability is a priority, I'd suggest something less luxury.
While many on this board will obviously steer you towards a Volvo, reliability has been a mixed bag. Some love them, some despise them (don't believe me? read some older posts).
If reliability is your main concern, I'd suggest skipping both and going for a Toyota/Lexus SUV.
Sure, they might not have the latest tech and will be more expensive than a Subaru/Volvo but from a statistical perspective, you and your vehicle will spend less time in the service department of your local dealership.

 

Many people use XC90 T8 as tow vehicle over long distances, so they can be reliable. So far what I’ve see is the new T8 ERs are either work just fine or having issues right away. The latter seems to be a small percentage.

IMO, if the family likes it and money is not a dealer breaker, XC90 seems to be the one you want. They are very well packaged, and I’ve not been as excited about a SUV since our last 3L TDI Touareg. I’ve looked at X5s, Cayennes (which are repackaged Touaregs), Range rover sports, Model X etc.

 

Current owner of a 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx in Wilderness Green. I love green cars. Really love the army green on the current Toyota trucks but not an option for me at the moment with 4 kids. My first car was a 1990 Sedan. I've also owned 2006 and 2010 Outbacks. Unrefined but great, tough vehicles with zero issues. Climbed out of snowy driveways in the Sierras that stranded other SUVS. Big fan.

I have owned 4 Volvos...2010 XC90, 2011 XC70 T6, 2010 V70, 2015 XC70 3.2 Platinum. T6 was an oil burner and I sold it back to a Volvo dealer. I used the V70 as a commuter car but the cat needed replacing at 150k and cost more than the car was worth, so I sold it. I traded in the 2015 XC70 for the Ascent last December because used car values were through the roof (got thousands more than I paid for it a few years earlier) and a good friend is a regional marketing mgr for Subaru and gave me VIP pricing and an employee discount to order an Ascent). Like you, I looked long and hard at the Pacifica Hybrid...was sitting at a desk ready to make a deal in November 2020 but after haggling for 2+ hours in a shady Chrysler dealership, I bailed. I've also considered the XC90 but it never made sense due to lack of space compared to our Toyota Sienna. Tried to get a newer hybrid Sienna but the current wait list is 1 year plus most places, so I took my friend's offer for the Ascent. I added additional USB ports, the panoramic sunroof, phone charger, upgraded audio and discounted 8 year/100k gold warranty for well under 40k with discounts. I couldn't come close to that even with a 2-3 yo CPO non-plug in XC90, so I went back to Subie.

I test drove a 2021 XC90 and took my wife and 4 kids (14, 12, 9, 7 yo) along. It was just too tight and getting in the 3rd row seat was a bear. If I eventually get an XC90, I'll 100% get the 6 passenger configuration. The Ascent's rear doors swing wide open, almost perpendicular to the body of the vehicle, making in and out easier. Rear storage stinks compared to a minivan, so we have the Thule box on top. I'd guess 75% of it's miles have been in town and the avg MPG is 18.5. Not great but slightly better than our AWD van. It's quieter than I expected and rides very smoothly on the highway. The Onyx models have the StarTex synthetic seats and I like them better than I thought I would. Not super hot or sweaty in summer heat and very stain resistant (youngest sun spilled half a bottle of sunblock on one seat and it wiped right off). We knew this would be our Sierras/camping/ski/snow vehicle and I like the blacked-out look, so that's why we went with the Onyx version. The XC90 is a much nicer vehicle, is more refined, looks better and in my heart, I'll always love Volvos but financially, the Ascent wins hands down and is good enough for now. I would love the plug-in and will probably eventually get an XC90 but for my family and situation, I can't justify the 30k+ cost difference. Most NorCal Subaru dealers are also top notch and rival the MB and Volvo dealers I've experienced in the recent past. Volvos are certainly the safest cars on the road but the Ascent is no slouch and is the only other non-Volvo vehicle I've seen that actually deflects off the barrier in the IIHS tests.

Best of luck. I think you'll be happy with either choice.

 

I think either will be a good choice - I'd try to spend as much time as you can with each to see if one appeals to you more than the other.

However, I'd like to offer a curveball of a third choice - an AWD hybrid Toyota Sienna. I live in Seattle and have both a 2021 XC90 and a 2005 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD. Both our vehicles have been great in all kinds of weather, including crossing the passes in the Winter. I know you're not looking at vans, but the new Siennas are pretty nice and offer a lot of space for a large family, with a good amount of storage behind the third row. We were supposed to trade in the Toyota when we got the Volvo, but kept it because it's so darn handy. Minivan stigma aside, they really are ideal for hauling kids around. I do think both the vehicles you're considering will be a little tight for the constant in-and-out of kids, your results may vary.

 

I want to like the Sienna, but the problem is that they only offer AWD in 7 passenger configuration (2nd row captain chairs with 3 seats in the 3rd row), which brings us back to the cargo problem. We would always have to have the 3rd row up in that situation, limiting our cargo to behind 3rd row only. They do offer 8 passenger seating, but only in the lowest LE trim, which means removing a ton of otherwise useful features that we'd like to have.

The trade off for us if leaving the mini-van is to get AWD and better ground clearance, plus towing capacity (would like to tow a pop-up tent trailer and a small sailboat). If we had a smaller family size the choice would be a bit easier.

 

We've owned two Volvo's a 2017 XC90 T6 and now a 2022.5 XC90 Recharge Extended Range. We loved the 2017 and put on over 53,000 trouble free miles, including annual trips of 4,000 to 7,000 miles. We got the 2022.5 car because we wanted to reduce our fuel consumption (our old car averaged between 22 and 23 mpg overall). I'm delighted to say we love the new car. Not only is there more power, but it is quieter. In addition, and more importantly, with over 4400 miles on the new car, including 3,000 miles in two long, multi-day trips without being able to recharge at night, our overall average fuel economy is over 33 mpg. I've very pleased with that.🙂

 

I have three suggestions, none of which are the Subaru.

1.If you have a good Volvo dealer nearby, go for the new t8 ER but expect to have some issues along the way. Make sure you drive an air suspended car before deciding to go with standard…it really makes the car feel much more upscale

2. buy a cpo 2019 or newer xc90 t6 inscription, add the 10yr/unlimited mile warranty extension, and drive the hell out of it (what we did/are doing)

3. buy a Mazda CX-9…it’s a little smaller inside but a whole lot more fun to drive than any sub-100k 7 seat SUV. We almost went this route but found our perfect cpo xc90 and couldn’t resist. If I recall correctly, the sweet spot is the 2019 cx9 signature…last/year the top trim model was available with second row bench.

 

3. buy a Mazda CX-9…it’s a little smaller inside but a whole lot more fun to drive than any sub-100k 7 seat SUV. We almost went this route but found our perfect cpo xc90 and couldn’t resist. If I recall correctly, the sweet spot is the 2019 cx9 signature…last/year the top trim model was available with second row bench.

I had a '18 CX-9 GT - loved that car. It's a little dated now but when it was released Mazda really had that car punching above its' weight class. I've had almost as many Mazda's as Volvo's.

Probably the most competitive segment in the business - there are so many really good options out there.

 

first time Volvo owner here with a 22.5 XC90 ER Inscription Expression without air suspension. We have just over 1,000 miles now and it is a true pleasure to drive. Getting well over the 35 miles in Pure, in Hybrid mode I have been getting between 49 and 60 mpg. Right now, overall, I am inching towards 100mpg - crazy for a SUV this size! It handles well, and since adding the Polestar tower brace, I can feel the road more too. The acceleration is crazy, especially if you have it in Performance and keeping in B1. The torque just keeps on coming at all RPM’s it seems. I’ve hit 100mpg without realizing it while passing traffic. I cannot speak for the Accent, but the Volvo is an amazing machine and you will enjoy every minute of it. I strongly suggest the HK audio upgrade and the Advanced Package. The 360 camera has come in handy many times already. The HK system sounds GREAT! Also wanted to point out that the XC90 is built like a tank!

 

Speaking of safety, my wife had a head on collision with a Tesla Model Y in a parking lot earlier this year. The Model Y's front end was destroyed, fender all bent up and sensors all damaged. And my XC90 only has a small dent above license plate, a brand new OEM factory painted front bumper fixed it, it doesn't even need a camera calibration. There's simply no comparison.

 

I would not model the XC90 to have lower costs after years 4-5 vs the ascent UNLESS you’re buying the extended warranty. I won’t model gas staying at these prices either for length of your ownwrship

$23k isn’t Pennies to a lot of folks.

lastly, the T8 can’t be a cross country vehicle with no issues because there is no spare tire and I doubt you want to take up cargo space to store one. Flats happen and securing a 20/21” tire on extremely quick notice could be very hard.

 

Anyone know if the 2023 XC90 will have true Level 2 charging speeds? I've read that the current one only charges at about 3.3kW , which is half of Level 2 speeds (half of what my current PHEV charges at ,which is closer to 6.5kW). I was surprised to learn of such slow charging and figured they'd increase that to regular Level 2 speeds considering the increase in battery size.




I agree with the extended warranty, that's something I usually buy with my vehicles.

I'm having my doubts about the price of gas coming down far enough (if at all). My cost model was based on $5/gallon, but we are currently paying $6/gal, so even my cost estimates were low compared to reality. In order for the Subaru Ascent to be noticeably comparable (in fuel costs) to drive the price of gas would have to be down near $3.

I was hoping Subaru would announce at least a hybrid version of the Ascent for 2023, but they did not. They do have the Solterra (full EV) announced for 2023 and the hybrid Crosstrek has been available for a few years now, but seem to be very slow in electrifying their vehicles.

 

If you have option to wait, upcoming Mazda CX-90 (how original) and Toyota Grand Highlander/Lexus TX might be worth a look. Latter will offer conventional hybrids, likely PHEVs too.

Subaru is strictly pure ICE which would strike it from my list, personally.

 

Thinking about this a bit more, I think it was interesting that Lexus held back on PHEV details on new gen RX.

Toyota is on verge of hitting 200k and starting to lose tax credit benefit. I wonder if PHEV might be limited to just compliance volume on fewer vehicles if the cap isn’t eliminated? Or delay PHEV long enough to squeeze another quarter of tax credits?

Toyota Has Run Out of Federal EV Tax Credits

The Japanese automaker is the third manufacturer to reach the milestone, joining General Motors and Tesla.

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