You can count Volvo among the automakers quietly curtailing their electrification efforts in the face of astronomical development costs and decreased demand.
It’s not as if Volvo is abandoning electric vehicles (EVs) altogether. Rather, it recently announced it won’t be giving up on gasoline power as early as it initially forecasted. That’s helped extend the usefulness of the brand’s existing three-row SUV, which will live on alongside the all-electric EX90 that’s a few foibles shy of perfection. The 2025 Volvo XC90 doesn’t necessarily solve the shortcomings of its sibling, but the updates provide some staying power for what’s long been among the best entries in the segment.
A Fresh Face
The timelessness of every Volvo design of the last decade or more has done the brand well. The XC90 is no exception, and it’s perhaps the single most stylish SUV in the segment, with signature elements like the so-called Thor’s hammer headlights leaving an unmistakable impression.
This year’s updates do nothing to disturb the tasteful elegance of the XC90. If anything they make this proverbial wool coat on wheels even more classy, with the striking grille in particular providing a hint of flair without looking too fussy. The way the slats intersect in such an unconventional way is an outstanding hallmark that helps set this sport utility apart from its peers, not to mention its predecessor.
The lighting elements used to make the Thor’s hammer motif are thinner this time, combining with clean lines all around to create the look of a concept vehicle that’s come to market. It’s impressive the way a few nips and tucks can provide just enough stylistic separation from the version that came before, although few passersby would probably tell them apart. Then again, that sort of agelessness might be among the reasons to buy a Volvo in the first place.
The interior, too, has received just a few changes, none of which is more significant than the big touchscreen on the dash. Otherwise, a pair of new upholstery options have migrated from the EX90 — as well as the smaller EX30 — into the XC90. Both lean into sustainability, with the use of recycled polyester in the case of the navy blue herringbone finish. Meanwhile, there’s vegan leather that’s made of bio-based and recycled materials, while genuine leather is still available.
No matter the upholstery, the front seats in particular almost look as if they were pulled from the Eames furniture catalogue. Simple shapes and contouring bring form and function together in that oh-so Scandinavian way, with all kinds of support and cruising comfort as a result.
New Technology
The 11.2-inch touchscreen is a big improvement over the nine-inch one it replaces, while much of the dash has been redesigned, too. Graciously, the XC90 retains the row of physical controls from before that its all-electric siblings lack. Likewise, the twist-to-start ignition switch and (mostly) conventional gear selector are the same as before.
The Google-based infotainment system is shared with the EX30 and EX90, with widgets that change to reflect the most frequently used features and functions. That works with a fixed row of icons at the bottom that can be used to call up climate controls or drive settings, among others, while the integrated Google Maps navigation is as good as it gets. Unlike its all-electric siblings, the XC90 has a massive 12.3-inch digital instrument display that can also call up a map view in front of the driver.
For all that’s new and improved about the interface, the inclusion of wired Apple CarPlay rather than wireless connectivity seems somewhat glaringly outdated. It’s an issue made worse by the exceptionally small centre console bin that sacrifices space to store a smartphone in order to accommodate the massive powertrain tunnel beneath the cabin. (A Volvo representative said future over-the-air updates could include wireless CarPlay.)
Familiar Performance
That tunnel stands so tall because it’s where Volvo’s engineers positioned the battery in the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV). It’s nothing if not a novel place for it, with most others opting to stick the big and heavy unit under the back seats. It leads to a more neutral driving feel here, or so the theory goes, with the extra mass low and in the middle of the vehicle.
Like every other piece of the drivetrain, that battery is unchanged from the old one. It has a capacity of 18.8 kWh and teams with a rear-mounted electric motor to provide as much as 53 km of emissions-free driving. That isn’t entirely unreasonable, although a rival like the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is rated for 77 km of range.
Those PHEV components are paired with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 312 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque on its own, with combined gasoline and electric output swelling to an impressive 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. And while those numbers are generous, the XC90 T8 doesn’t boast overwhelming passing power. Make no mistake: it can do the job just fine when called upon. But this PHEV prioritizes an ability to gracefully glide along the road rather than enthusiastically chew through tires.
The other version of the XC90 in Canada is a mild hybrid that uses the same turbo engine but adds a small electric supercharger to make 295 hp to go with 310 lb-ft of torque. As with the PHEV, the powertrain carries over entirely, with the same combined fuel consumption of 10.4 L/100 km — not much worse than the XC90 T8’s rating of 8.9.
The only mechanical changes of note were made to the standard suspension system, which now rides on new dampers. Those work with a double-wishbone layout up front that features softer spring rates and a stiffer sway bar, while the back stays the same as it was beyond a new integral link that’s meant to improve traction and stability when towing.
Even without the optional air suspension — which, it’s worth noting, is unchanged — the ride is fairly fantastic. That isn’t exactly a surprise, with the minor tweaks making a good product better. While not especially sporty or fun, the XC90 remains a surefooted cruising companion that’s as composed as it is easy to drive. Of course, the air suspension adds a creaminess to the on-road experience, but this sport utility is a delight to drive no matter its underpinnings.
Final Thoughts
It’s unlikely Volvo’s leaders will admit to calling an audible and extending the life of the ever-popular XC90, nor does it really matter. The changes this time around may be subtle, but then this SUV didn’t need much — an impressive accomplishment considering this generation first launched a decade ago. That’s some serious staying power in a segment in which BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes have all joined Volvo with PHEVs of their own, but the XC90 can still hang in spite of that heady competition.
Pricing for the 2025 Volvo XC90 wasn’t available at the time of this writing, but expect it to cost more than the version before it that started at about $82,500 before tax for the mild hybrid version, and $96,000 or so for the PHEV. Both will be available in the choice of three trims, with options including air suspension and ventilated and massaging front seats, among others. It’s scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2024.
