2025.5 Volvo XC90 First Drive Review: Swedish Metal Meets Techno

The Volvo XC90 is the automobile that saved the Swedish automaker from what might have been a untimely dying. That was many years in the past when the XC90 first launched, and the world has modified rather a lot since then. Nonetheless, the premium midsize SUV is a massively vital mannequin for Volvo, sometimes a harbinger for the remainder of the Volvo model’s future. The second era first launched in 2015 and was an indication of issues to return, launching firsts like a brand new modular structure, superior semi-autonomous security techniques, new infotainment, and an enormous array of latest powertrains, together with the plug-in hybrid system that has turn out to be a core fixture in Volvo’s lineup.

However practically 10 years later, that second-generation XC90 continues to be round, and for the 2025 mannequin yr (or quite the latter half – that is technically a 2025.5 MY automobile), the XC90 has undergone its second facelift in a bid to remain related amongst contemporary competitors that features the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Acura MDX, to call however just a few.

To see whether or not the updates have achieved sufficient to maintain it aggressive, Volvo flew us to Denmark to pattern the XC90 on the international media drive.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted setting below restricted time constraints. As such, this First Drive is barely indicative of what to anticipate. Keep watch over CarBuzz for our complete Check Drive overview which can comply with as quickly because the XC90 arrives stateside.

Is This An All-New Mannequin But?

That is basically the identical XC90 that first wowed us in 2015, using on the identical Scalable Platform Structure (SPA) underpinnings because it did then. There’s already been one facelift for this XC90 in 2019, however it is a extra important replace with a visible overhaul in and out. Volvo’s focus has primarily been on the technological entrance, nonetheless, with main updates made to the infotainment – which is now a Google built-in-based system with native app downloads and over-the-air updates on an 11.2-inch touchscreen – and inside design.

Mechanical updates are restricted; powertrain updates arrived in 2021 already, so Volvo has merely tightened up the remainder of the package deal with revisions to the suspension and chassis, like the brand new Frequency Selective Dampers (FSD) on fashions not outfitted with air suspension, and enhanced sound dampening for larger in-cabin refinement.

The Seems to be: Hoo Boy, It is Good-looking

The second-gen XC90 debuted a brand new styling course for the model that has labored brilliantly. That hasn’t modified, however Volvo’s discovered a approach to make this iteration look even higher. Plenty of small tweaks have been made, lots of which you will not discover until you could have an outdated and a brand new XC90 standing side-by-side, just like the revised taillights with a darkish tint.

However from the entrance, it is a clear evolution that appears beautiful; Volvo has received the design sport but once more. The cross-diagonal grille seems to be mega in individual, as do the brand new headlights, which retain the Thor’s Hammer motif and showcase the XC90 as a direct relative of the EX90. I favor the non-pixelated model of the DRL signature on the XC90; it is cleaner and extra refined compared to the EX90’s. Different adjustments appear minor, however the newly sculpted hood and bigger wheels (with new designs as much as 22 inches) carry the design collectively completely. That is far and away my favourite design on this automobile phase proper now.

Exterior Colour Choices

• Crystal White
• Onyx Black
• Vapour Gray
• Denim Blue
• Silver Daybreak
• Vibrant Nightfall
• Mulberry Crimson (new)

The Drive: Evolution Over Revolution

Beneath the hood, there is not a single change to the three accessible powertrains; the final replace occurred in 2021 when Volvo ditched the twincharged engine in T8 PHEV (it is nonetheless accessible within the B6 variant). Volvo claims the chassis is the place the XC90 has been enhanced probably the most, due to revised suspension tuning and larger noise insulation. Extra sound deadening has been added to the A- and B pillars which, together with elective laminated facet home windows, retains out rather a lot – however not all – wind and highway noise. On our drive, the occasional whistle of wind over the driving force’s facet mirror might nonetheless be heard, however within the PHEV, even in pure electrical mode at freeway speeds, the cabin was comparatively quiet and comfy.

Our First Drive included testing two variants of the XC90: a B5 with the bottom suspension and a T8 PHEV with air suspension.

Rides Smoother Than Earlier than

As for the suspension, you have bought two decisions. A fundamental setup includes double wishbones up entrance and integral hyperlink suspension on the rear, coupled with Frequency Selective Damper know-how and the composite leaf spring that appeared an odd alternative when the XC90 first arrived.

The issue with our first drive was that the roads round Denmark and Sweden have been as easy because the greens of the Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, making it troublesome to check whether or not the up to date suspension made any distinction. I purposefully sought out manhole covers and cat’s eyes within the highway, however except for these slight bumps in isolation, all damped properly with minimal secondary physique motion, there was nothing to check the XC90’s default suspension. However a noticeable enchancment in comparison with prior iterations was a softer rear-end, much less susceptible to bucking over velocity bumps when unladen.

The air suspension continues to be the higher of the 2 setups on this scenario, absorbing major and secondary vibrations with out the movement sickness-inducing floatiness that usually accompanies air. It additionally gives higher chassis management, displaying admirable composure by way of the rolling hillsides of rural Sweden, after which elevating and decreasing for simpler ingress and egress and loading into the trunk. The caveat is that it is solely accessible on the top-spec Extremely trim, and even then, it is a $1,800 choice.

One-Pedal Driving: A Revelation For The Plug-In Hybrid

Volvo’s 2.0-liter 4 cylinders have by no means been the best-sounding, and that hasn’t modified. The bottom B5 powertrain sounds labored below onerous acceleration, so even with energy in reserve, it is all the time asking you to again off a bit.

The T8 plug-in hybrid has the advantage of an e-motor on the rear axle, able to getting the XC90 to freeway speeds and past with out utilizing a drop of fuel, minimizing the load on the interior combustion engine and sparing occupants from enduring the gravelly tones of the four-pot below duress. There’s loads of punch right here, however with no mechanical connection between the entrance and rear axles (the ICE drives the entrance axle and the e-motor drives the rear), heavier throttle hundreds lead to an undesirable jerk because the ICE springs to life in hybrid mode. It is as if the 2 powertrain components do not discuss to 1 one other on the level of handover, like Olympic sprinters fumbling the baton trade within the relay earlier than discovering their footing.

For those who can stay with this odd habits, the PHEV works properly, with sufficient ‘go’ in both hybrid or Pure (electrical solely) driving modes, however the 32-mile electrical vary has now fallen behind the phase’s finest. Nonetheless, the saving grace is the XC90’s one-pedal driving with the ‘B’ transmission mode activated. You may allow a creep perform by way of the touchscreen that by no means lets the XC90 come to a whole halt, however toggle this off, and you’ll drive the XC90 like an EV if you need, benefiting from the regenerative braking.

Talking of braking, the T8 PHEV was curiously the higher braker of the 2, by way of brake really feel. Usually, automakers wrestle to mix friction and regenerative braking however the place the bottom B5 powertrain’s brake pedal felt picket and lacked suggestions, the T8’s appeared talkative, easy at any velocity, and confidence-inspiring – a reversal of roles from what I am used to.

Inside & Expertise: Higher, Acquainted, However Room To Enhance

Essentially, the cabin of the XC90 is unchanged in that it nonetheless seats seven by default (elective second-row captain’s chairs scale back this to 6). The third-row seats are nonetheless not advisable for adults or giant teenagers, however they will suffice in a pinch, whereas the primary and second rows have greater than sufficient house for adults to get snug.

Contemporary Supplies Really feel Gentle And Spacious, However Leather-based Alternative Is A Let-Down

Volvo does not do the heavy, darkish colours that epitomize premium SUVs from German rivals, and a alternative of heat woods and lighter textiles dominate the inside palette (Charcoal continues to be an choice although). With Volvo’s eco-conscious ambitions, an eco-friendly leather-based substitute referred to as Nordico is the default on the Core and Plus trims with no different; a pity, as it is not as snug as different leather-based replacements we have sampled. Ventilated nappa leather-based is barely accessible on the top-spec Extremely mannequin, accessible in a further hue of Blond (a pale gray) over and above the Charcoal and Cardamom choices of the Nordico. The particular alternative on this trim is the Herringbone weave cloth in Navy, which was snug, breathable, and regarded implausible.

A contemporary dashboard design now makes use of wooden inlays with a comfortable heat ambient gentle hidden behind fabric-clad panels on the sprint. In contrast to Mercedes’ and BMW’s infinite array of RGB lighting configurations, Volvo’s is easy and fashionable however could alienate those that really feel customization is vital. New air vent designs (now vertical, as a result of horizontal is so final season), a triple cupholder with house for 2 giant cups and a small power drink can between them, and an up to date wi-fi charging pad additionally function.

Plenty of it’s new, however none of it feels revolutionary; for anybody acquainted with the new-generation Volvo choices, it will really feel like residence.

Google Constructed-in Infotainment Is The Jewel In The Crown, However It is Not Good

When the 2015 XC90 arrived, it signaled a brand new technological period for Volvo with a touchscreen infotainment interface that promised larger connectivity than ever. Nicely, practically 10 years on, and know-how has aged faster than anticipated, so Volvo has given the specialists their dues and enlisted Google’s assist with the infotainment. Housed on a brand new portrait-orientated 11.2-inch touchscreen, a Google built-in working system brings smartphone performance to your loved ones SUV with over-the-air updates, Google Maps, the Google Assistant, and the Google App Retailer catering to native app set up.

Anybody who’s operated an Android-based cellphone will discover it straightforward to adapt to, and it responds properly to the touch inputs. It is arguably extra intuitive than the outdated system, with widgets for generally used features all the time on the house display for fast entry, even whereas utilizing navigation. The house display hotkey additionally makes it straightforward to get again to the core features.

The epic 1,410-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system carries over from the outdated XC90, and whereas it is solely accessible as an choice on the Extremely trim, it is nonetheless the perfect mainstream sound system we have heard in a automobile; the Gothenburg Live performance Corridor expertise turns any commute right into a full-on live performance.

However, and I really feel no disgrace in flogging this outdated horse, the absence of bodily controls means even probably the most acquainted driver should draw their eyes away from the highway to vary fundamental settings like local weather management and drive modes. The one bodily controls are for quantity and skipping songs; the remaining are accessed by way of the display.

Positive, you should use voice controls for a few of it due to the Google Assistant – “Hey Google, do that factor for me” – however on multiple event, I needed to repeat or rephrase my requests to regulate the local weather management. Some performance cannot be managed from the system in any respect, like drive mode choice. The place Volvo set new requirements 9 years in the past, it is now fallen behind. Audi’s ChatGPT-based voice instructions, for instance, can management in-depth automobile features like drive modes and the MBUX system in Mercedes fashions has allowed management over the home windows, sunroof, and even heated seats for a number of years. Google is a robust device, however as an alternative of letting me management the automobile as I needed to, it was extra fascinated by serving to me discover out what the climate was like (although why it switched from Celsius to Fahrenheit for no cause, I am going to by no means perceive).

However as a result of that is Google-based, it would proceed to enhance with time, and OTA updates imply you will get into the XC90 to go to work one morning, and the issues you complained in regards to the day earlier than could also be mounted in a single day.

Verdict & Pricing: Contemporary, However Not A Class Chief

In a rustic just like the US the place larger is all the time higher, the XC90 is important for a model like Volvo. It is the automaker’s largest vendor, so it wants to stay aggressive. With EV demand not rising as quickly because it appeared to be when Volvo introduced its plans to go all-electric, this second facelift of the XC90 is now the torchbearer for Volvo’s combustion carryover, which suggests rather a lot is using on its shoulders.

Worldwide first drives make it robust to guage all sides of a automobile; I really feel most of the suspension enhancements could have gone unnoticed on account of Scandinavia’s near-perfect highway surfaces, and a US highway take a look at when the XC90 arrives stateside will permit us to ship a extra definitive verdict.

Pricing & Trim Availability

The up to date Volvo XC90 arrives as a 2025.5 mannequin yr with three powertrains, three trim ranges, and two seating configurations: