2025 Volvo XC90 Review

Volvo has made changes to the XC90, but the better model won’t be ready until the 2025–2026 model year. The situation is made worse by the fact that there has been no update for early 2025 cars, which are set to hit showrooms in the first quarter of 2025. It has a new 11.2-inch touchscreen display, newer materials inside, a remade dashboard, better soundproofing to make the inside quieter, and a new look at the front end. The present XC90 will still be on sale until 2025 or until supplies run out, along with the improved model. Plug-in hybrid cars now go by the name “PHEV” instead of “Recharge” on Volvo’s top-of-the-line XC90 T8 powertrain. The base Core trim now has 20-inch wheels instead of 19-inch wheels, and the Plus trim, which is in the middle, has bonded acoustic side window glass that blocks out noise better. The top-level Ultimate trim level has been changed to Ultra, and it can now be had with any of the three XC90 engines. The electric EX90 version came out this year as well.

Pros

• It still looks great.
• Interiors that are fancy and elegant.
• Great equipment and safety scores.

Cons

• A less comfy ride with wheels that are too big.
• Elegant wool inside are only available in the top PHEV trim.
• Tough to reach the little third row.

A 48-volt electric motor helps the B5 and B6 powertrains. The B5 models come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 247 horsepower. The B6 models come with a powertrain that makes 295 horsepower. The XC90 is a fast SUV thanks to its plug-in hybrid T8 engine that makes 455 horsepower. All XC90s have all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, no matter what trim level or engine they have. As with many cars in this class, the Volvo leans a little when going around corners, but it handles well and has a beautiful, heavy wheel that hits a balance between lightness and weight. Our test car had an optional air suspension that made the ride smooth and comfortable. In addition, it could handle most driving situations. The one genuine gripe with the XC90, which is otherwise attractive, is that it can display minor road imperfections on exceptionally rough bumps due to its chassis. We have not yet had a chance to test drive the better 2025.5 model, but we will let you know what we think by posting our thoughts on this site.

Volvo is known for putting safety first, and its three-row car comes with a lot of technology to help the driver. It is possible to obtain additional information regarding the crash test scores of the XC90 by visiting the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Some important safety factors are:

• Typical automated emergency braking with recognition of bicycles and pedestrians.
• Regular lane departure notice and help staying in your lane.
• Adaptive speed control comes with lane-centering as standard.

The XC90’s cabin is a masterclass in restraint. It has a clean layout and high-quality materials that make the space feel cozy. The updated 2025.5 model has better materials, a new center console, a new dashboard, and more textile upholstery choices. It is possible to make any version with five, six, or seven seats. The third row, on the other hand, will not be good for adults, especially if the trip is long. The XC90’s wide, boxy shape makes it easier to move heavy things, but the storage areas inside are smaller than those in some other models.

Aside from its plug-in engine, the XC90’s fuel economy ratings are about the same as those of many of its six-cylinder rivals. Fuel economy for the XC90 with its 295-horsepower B6 engine was 20 city/26 highway mpg. The EPA said that cars with the 247-hp B5 engine would get 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The EPA tests the six-cylinder BMW X5 xDrive 40i and finds that it gets 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The plug-in hybrid in the XC90 T8 got 66 MPGe from the EPA. The EPA says the battery can power it up to 33 miles. In our real-world speed fuel economy test, the XC90 T8 did not live up to our hopes. It only got 58 MPGe and 29 miles on battery power at 75 mph.

The 2025 XC90s all have a high-tech 9.0-inch touchscreen navigation system that feels and looks like a tablet. However, the upgraded 2025-1/2 model has an 11.2-inch screen instead. A 12.3-inch digital gauge set comes as standard, and a head-up display can be added as an extra. For iPhone owners, Apple CarPlay is already on both screens, but the software interface is built on Google’s Android Automotive platform. Voice-activated conversations with Google Assistant and in-dash navigation based on Google Maps are both built into the technology. A 600-watt, 14-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo or a 1410-watt, 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system are the two high-end sound choices. An amplifier with 220 watts and ten speakers is the usual part of a setup.

The EPA says that cars with the 14.9-kWh battery pack that powers the plug-in hybrid T8 engine can go 33 miles before they need to be charged again. You can charge the battery at home or at Level 2 public charging points. However, a DC fast charger can’t charge it quickly. Volvo has also added a feature to the XC90’s driving modes that lets the battery be charged even more or saved for later use while the gas engine is running. The XC90 B5 and B6 now have 48-volt hybrid systems, so we have yet to try them. However, the plug-in hybrid T8 model sped up to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds on our test track. The performance of the facelifted XC90 will not change much when it is put into service because neither the vehicle’s weight nor its powertrains have changed much. We will, however, add more information to this item once we have tried the new model.

Not all XC90 models can pull up to 5,000 pounds, so people who want to move boats, trailers, or other things may need to look at other options. XC90s with the 295-hp B6 and T8 engines can pull up to 4,000 pounds, but only if they have the base 247-hp B5 engine.

With Volvo, you can change a lot of things about your Volvo XC90. There is a good mix between luxury, price, and performance, though. Start with the Plus trim, add the optional 295-hp B6 powertrain, and stick with the cheaper seven-passenger bench-seat layout instead of paying extra for second-row captain’s seats. It might make sense to go with the updated 2025-1/2 model, but if you’re on a tight budget, your local Volvo store might be offering a bigger deal on the 2025 model you already have.