2025 Volvo XC90

Test Vehicle:

2025 Volvo XC90

Powertrain: 2.0 Turbo-Charged T8 AWD with Electric Motor (PHEV)

Exterior Color: Mulberry Red

Interior Color: Cardamom Ventilated Nappa Leather

Options: Lounge Package ($1,700), Active Chassis with Air Suspension ($1,800), Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound ($3,200)

MSRP as tested: $88,695 (With Destination & Delivery)

Pros: Strong PHEV Performance, Quiet Cabin, Upscale Materials, Impressive Audio System, Comfortable

Cons: Glitchy Infotainment, Tight Third Row, Slower-than-average Charging, Tech Learning Curve

Over twenty years ago we were introduced to Volvo's first three-row mid-size crossover known as the XC90. Now in its second generation, which debuted in 2015, but was last updated for 2020. Now for 2025.5 it gets another refresh with a more contemporary exterior design and a completely renewed exterior. It also offers some enhancements to its ride comfort and suspension along with an enhanced camera system. 

The XC90 comes in three trim levels (Core, Plus, and Ultra) and depending on the trim, there are three powertrain options to choose from (B5 AWD Gas, B6 AWD Gas,  or T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid).  All XC90s mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission and now come standard with all-wheel drive. 

B5 models come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that delivers 247 horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque. B6 models get both a turbo- and supercharged version of the 2.0-liter engine with mild-hybrid assistance to push out 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of torque. And finally, the T8 pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 with a rear-mounted electric motor and an 18.8-kWh battery pack for a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft. of torque.

Prices start at $62,345 for the Core B5 AWD and can get into the $90,000 range in the Ultra T8 model with added options. Competition includes vehicles such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX350, Lincoln Aviator, Infiniti QX60 and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Exterior:

The XC90 boasts a very handsome and striking design. The lines are crisp, clean, and luxurious. In my opinion, when the XC90 debuted in 2015 it was the start of a new design era for Volvo vehicles. All the models now feature the signature LED headlight daytime running lights known as "Thor's Hammer." The XC90 sports a redesigned front with a sleeker grille featuring a crosshatch or slanted-blind pattern that replaces the previous vertical slats, lending it a more contemporary and elegant appearance. The Thor’s Hammer LED headlights are now slimmer and more seamlessly integrated into the grille. It sports a very prominent stance with a longer front nose, a well-proportioned wheelbase, and subtle accents all-around the vehicle to add touches of refinement. The hood, front bumper, and fenders have been subtly reworked for a cleaner look—providing refinement without a full redesign. Around back, the rear bumper is slightly revised to maintain a clean, consolidated appearance with less emphasis on the tailpipes. The vertical taillights now have darkened outer lenses while the rest of the hatch remains the same. Volvo also introduced new wheel designs in 20,21, and 22-inch sizes giving a fresh look to the otherwise unchanged side profile. This crossover was well-designed to both stand out and blend-in.

Powertrain / Range:

Under the hood are three powertrain options, but I spent time in the Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid.  This one comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (312 hp / 295 lb-ft) that works in tandem with an electric motor (about 143 hp / 228 lb-ft), resulting in a total system output of approximately 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The XC90 T8 sprints from 0–60 mph in around 5 seconds, delivering punchy acceleration appropriate for its size. When the tank is full and the vehicle is fully charged, you can expect a range of around 530 miles. EPA ratings are a combined 58MPGe with 33 miles of electric range. These numbers will fluctuate based on many conditions including outside temperatures (colder weather will reduce the battery charge), interior electronic usage, climate controls, and speed. The rating of 33 seems to be an appropriate average although there were several trips that exceeded 35 miles of electric range.

The vehicle can be plugged into a standard 120V outlet but expect a full charge to take around 9-14 hours. Pop into a 240V quick charge station and that charge time is drastically reduced to around five hours for a full charge.  There is a vehicle Charge setting that can be turned on to have the engine recharge the battery while driving as well, this proved beneficial for highway driving although it needed to be turned on each time, it is not an automatic setting. Also available is a Hold button that will keep the battery's current charge for later use.

Performance / Handling:

I was beyond impressed with how the XC90 drove in every available mode. The powertrain offers five modes: Pure (electric only), Hybrid (efficiency-focused), Power (enhanced performance), Off-road, and Constant AWD providing flexibility across driving scenarios. The most common mode for me was the hybrid mode in which power seamlessly transitioned from electric to gas and back without any hesitation. The ride was incredibly smooth and quiet on city streets and the highway. The electric motor provides additional torque to propel the vehicle quickly from a stop. The test vehicle also came equipped with an air suspension that absorbed road imperfections to help create that smooth ride. The XC90 handled turns and lane-changes with minimal roll and always felt grounded to the pavement.

The other two modes that I found myself drawn to were Pure and Power. In Pure mode, the XC90 will only run on electric and is most suitable for driving around town and is the most eco-friendly. With an electric range of 33 miles though, this can get used up fairly quick depending on your drive. Select Power mode for the most athletic drive and crisper handling. When equipped with the air suspension, the XC90 will lower its height in Power mode to get closer to the pavement. In this mode you can really appreciate the 455 horsepower and high torque. Constant AWD would be useful during a winter snowstorm and Off-road should you decide to venture off the pavement and do some overlanding, neither of these were put to use during my time with the XC90.

My family spent time with the XC90 on a quick road trip up to Michigan and were impressed with how smooth and quiet it was on the highway. It packs plenty of power for passing and merging on the highway while the overall ride was incredibly refined.  It offers a balanced blend of performance and luxurious comfort on the road. 

Interior / Technology:

Inside, the XC90 gets even more exquisite with an understated elegance, high-quality materials, and luxury amenities. There’s a mix of open-pore wood and brushed aluminum accents that creates a calm, "living room" ambiance. You’ll find premium fabrics like Herringbone Weave textile and faux Nordico leather, alongside available Nappa leather, each adding warmth and tactile richness. Regardless of trim level, all XC90s take the same minimalist approach to the interior design. A redesigned, horizontally oriented dashboard with clean lines elevates the cabin’s visual appeal. Drivers face a 12.3" digital drive display behind the steering wheel with a center screen dedicated to information such as speed, navigation, audio, and more. An available head up display showcases speed, navigation, and more in an unobtrusive but clear projection to the windshield. 

At the center of the dash is a standard 11.2" vertical touchscreen (replacing the old 9” screen) debuting with vibrant graphics and a streamlined interface with Google Built-In for seamless integration navigation and other apps. The new display is bright and crisp, and the layout is intuitive, but its reaction to tapping was sometimes lagging and even froze at times. This system does not wirelessly integrate with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but you can connect to them via a cord which is less than convenient for those who rely on that integration. Favorite apps can be saved to the home screen for quick discovery and climate/comfort controls are always at the bottom of the screen. The XC90 also gets a new 360-degree camera with an updated system built into the infotainment home screen which provides a crystal clear visual.

Below the screen are a few buttons for the hazard lights, defrost, volume knob, and forward/back controls. Either side of the screen is flanked by air vents (an available air quality system utilizes advanced air filters) which are collectively surrounded in a chrome trim. Volvo places its keyless start knob in the center stack below the gearshift, and the button must be turned to activate the car. An illuminated Orrefors Crystal gearshift is available which complements the rest of the high-quality suede, leather, and wood trimmings. Next to the gear shift is a wireless charging tray for your mobile device.

Audio:

Music and sound quality are important to many drivers and the XC90 delivers. The Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system (a $3,200 option) produces a very realistic, immersive sound experience with amazing clarity. Preset configurations include 'concert hall' which recreates an acoustic experience of the world-famous Gothenburg Concert Hall. What this means to the everyday person is that cranking up the volume will immerse you in the music rather than just listening and when you turn it off, there's an echo tone that you get when a band plays their last note. Other settings include jazz club, individual stage, and studio. Sound can also be customized to personal tastes.

Seating:

With the sound and technology in place, Volvo ties it all together with comfortable seating for six or seven in the XC90. 10-way power front seats are available in a tailored wool blend or Nappa leather. The first two rows offer plenty of room for passengers and the 4-zone climate system ensures everyone's comfortability. There is an option for six-passenger seating with captain's chairs in the second row which is nice for those who want a little extra breathing room. Second-row captain’s chairs now feature integrated armrests, cupholders, and heating options. The third row is suitable for kids but the tall seats in the second row will block the view of smaller kids in the way back, hence the captain’s chairs may be a good alternative. While suitable for kids, the third row does get somewhat uncomfortable on longer road trips (as mentioned by my kids). They indicated the seats weren’t nearly as comfortable as the captain’s chairs in the second row. Also available for front passengers are heated, cooled, and massaging seats (a very nice feature for the end-of-the-day drive home).  Finally, above all passengers is a full length open and tilt panoramic roof that brings in fresh air and a view of the outdoors above. Overall space is decent, but there are other 3-row alternatives that will offer more family-friendly space inside.

Cargo:

The XC90 offers solid cargo volume with 85.7 cubic feet in total when all the rear seats are folded down. This marks it among class leaders in regard to total cargo volume. Behind the second row is 41.8 cu. ft. and behind the third row is 15.8 cu. ft. The third row also splits 50/50 making the configurations flexible for a variety of needs. Also available with air suspension is the ability to lower or raise the vehicle at the touch of a button in the rear cargo area to assist with load-in height. We packed the XC90 full for our quick road trip and came home with more souvenirs than we left with, but there was no problem fitting it all in. 

Safety:

Volvo and Safety have always gone hand in hand, after all they are the brand that invented seat belts back in 1959. The XC90 comes with a long list of standard safety features that include things such as pilot assist, oncoming lane mitigation with autobraking, lane-keeping aid, blind spot information system with cross traffic alert, 360-degree camera, rear collision mitigation support, whiplash injury protection system and more. One of those standard features is steer assist which has multiple functions. Most commonly, it aids in keeping the driver in their lane, but it also detects pedestrians, animals and cyclists which is very useful in urban settings. The vehicle will help the driver safely sway to avoid collisions and will also automatically add braking to the wheels if needed to stabilize the car.

Another standard feature that stands out is the Pilot Assist driver assistance system. It is a very advanced cruise control system that falls just short of autonomous driving. Hands are required on the steering wheel for monitoring but the XC90 does all the work. The system operates at highways speeds and will maintain the vehicle’s position in between the lines and distances behind the vehicle in front of you. The intuitive system operates smoothly and quickly accommodates the unexpected driver who merges in front of you. This feature was extremely beneficial for our road trip and aided in a more stress-free driving experience. The system is one of the best working semi-autonomous cruise controls available. 

Final Statement:

It’s been a few years since I last drove the XC90 and while it hasn’t changed drastically overall, I’m still very impressed with its fully immersive experience. Starting with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, I'm impressed with how quietly powerful this crossover is. The variety of drive modes each provide noticeable handling differences for all driving situations. Inside, the elegant and comfortable interior caters to passengers while the premium sound system fills the vehicle with crisp audio. The boxy design of the exterior matched with the refreshed grille and LED lighting, new wheel designs and impactfully subdued paint colors round out the XC90. This is a great vehicle that has quickly made its way to the highly desired shortlist for our family.