Volvo’s three-row SUV receives a minor refresh for 2025, however this second-generation mannequin has already been in the marketplace for a decade—an eternity within the automotive business. Regardless of its age, the XC90 seems recent as a daisy and demonstrates that the Swedes excel at constructing timeless machines. The one different autos with such lengthy product cycles are well-established icons just like the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler, and Nissan GT-R.
This XC90 is technically a 2025.5 mannequin, because the early 2025 fashions didn’t obtain a refresh, however with it comes new appears and a revised inside. The manicured entrance hood and slimmer headlights present softer vitality, and whereas it’s not knee-quiveringly enticing (no SUV is), it’s not an aesthetic overload both. The up to date grill works and revitalizes the silhouette with its cross sample adorned like a freshly-tied bathrobe, and this Shiny Nightfall paint brings all of it to life with faint pink tones shimmering on a heat silver backdrop. The tall tail lamps stay unchanged, sustaining that signature stance that pays tribute to its progenitor. Briefly, the reinvigorated XC90 appears prefer it belongs in 2025.
The inside reminds us why the XC90 was such a game-changer again in 2015. Scandi-simplicity stays in vogue, very similar to the design philosophies of different Swedish manufacturers, similar to COS or IKEA. The usage of mild woods, vibrant leathers, and uncluttered surfaces immediately transports us to a calmer and extra relaxed way of thinking. However there aren’t any radical adjustments for 2025, extra of a slight nip and tuck to the dashboard structure with a bigger 11.2-inch touchscreen, extra heart console house, and a repositioned wi-fi charging pad.
The choice for six or seven-seater configurations stays accessible, and all of the switchgear and knobs have been retained as properly, together with the accompanying ergonomics and performance that they provide. You see, these touchpoints hark again to a time when tactility reigned over expertise, and it seems that many automakers, together with Volvo, have misplaced that focus. With the electrical Volvo EX30 and EX90, there aren’t any bodily switches or levers to open the glovebox or function the steering wheel, mirror, or seat reminiscence changes. These capabilities have been delegated to the touchscreen. Volvo even in the reduction of on putting in particular person switches to function the rear home windows.
It’s refreshing to make use of these sturdy and accessible bodily switches once more, to not point out the strong crystal Orrefors gear lever, which Volvo has sadly eradicated from all its new EX fashions. The XC90 additionally retains helpful options, such because the headrest fold and the power to regulate the passenger seat from the motive force’s, however activating it requires navigating by means of just a few sub-menus on the touchscreen. Somewhat, it’s the lacking gadgets from {the catalogue} that start to antiquate the XC90, from the dearth of wi-fi Apple CarPlay to quick charging capabilities.
The touchscreen interface has been improved to function quicker than earlier than and is much less liable to lag in sizzling circumstances. It integrates seamlessly with Google, permitting you to make use of the Volvo identical to you’d along with your Android telephone or Google Dwelling. You’ll be able to ask Google to take you dwelling, alter the temperature, or discover the closest charging station utilizing voice instructions. This low studying curve makes it intuitive and easy to transition into the XC90. Nonetheless, it’s disappointing that Volvo eliminated the house button from the display, just like Apple’s determination with the iPhone, in addition to the drive mode selector positioned beneath the gear lever. Now, to entry and cycle by means of EV or Hybrid modes, it’s good to faucet a immediate on the touchscreen and choose it from there.
Each time we get behind the wheel of a Volvo, we’re grateful for its refined air high quality sensor and air purifier. Whereas most vehicles include fundamental cabin filters to dam dangerous particulates, the XC90 takes filtration to the following degree. It not solely filters but in addition screens for dangerous allergens and particulates each inside and outdoors the cabin, offering detailed details about the degrees of pollen from bushes, grass, and weeds. For somebody who suffers from seasonal allergic reactions, being able to watch these invisible, irritating particles outdoors is a blessing.
The XC90 is obtainable in each mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) trims. The B6 delicate hybrid is sweet for 295 hp, 310 lb-ft, and 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, whereas the T8 PHEV we drove makes use of the identical 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine however with an 18.8 kWh battery, rear-mounted electrical motor, 8-speed computerized gearbox, and all-wheel drive. This powertrain generates 455 hp, 523 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds. Volvo claims an electric-only vary of 53 km, whereas our drive within the warmth of summer time yielded a good 50 km. BMW makes use of a equally sized battery of their X5 xDrive50e, which generates a claimed vary of 64 km, whereas the Mercedes-Benz GLE450e outranks them each with a bigger 23.3 kWh battery and a claimed 77 km of vary.
The T8 powertrain operates gently and effortlessly below low calls for, however once you ask extra of it, there’s a quick delay earlier than the engine wakes up and shifts into gear. The transition between electrical and combustion energy isn’t the quickest by modern-day requirements. However, we discovered it acceptable for the sort of SUV, which is designed extra for effectivity and comfy cruising than for delivering speedy acceleration.
The journey, even with the elective air suspension, reveals an underlying firmness possible because of the weight it’s managing. It feels firmer than the X5 and GLE, however is extra absorbent and isolating than the Cayenne. Its relaxed gait and composure give us confidence at larger speeds, and there’s simply sufficient physique roll to make the highway beneath really feel alive. In any other case, the XC90 rotates properly, and the drive doesn’t really feel all that completely different from the outgoing mannequin, however its tough edges have definitely been polished out.
Whereas the XC90 is probably not the latest child on the block, its decade of expertise and refinement present its friends that timeless design and a honed concentrate on security and ergonomics could make all of the distinction.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV Extremely
Paint Sort: Shiny Nightfall
Base Worth: $95,900
Worth as Examined: $104,055
Wheelbase(mm): 2,984
Size/Width/Peak (mm): 4,953 / 2,008 / 1,771
Powertrain: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 18.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, electrical motor
Horsepower: 455 hp
Torque: 523 lb-ft
Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, rear electrical motor, AWD
Noticed Electrical-only Vary: 50 km
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season; 275/40R21
