The Volvo XC90 Is Starting To Show Its Age: Review

Motor 1

14-05-2025

Quick Specs
2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra
Engine
Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Inline Four Hybrid
Output
455 Horsepower / 523 Pound-Feet
0-60 MPH
5.0 Seconds
Base Price / As Tested
$80,700 / $88,695
Pros: Good Looks, Solid Hybrid System, Lots Of Interior Space
Cons: Aging Chassis Tech, Dated Interior Despite New Infotainment
2025 Volvo XC90: The Steadfast Workhorse
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
The
XC90
was a world-beater when it debuted in 2015, with a stylish design, a modern interior, and an impressive selection of powertrains. But 10 years on, and mostly unchanged—save a few mild updates—some of that sheen has faded. The XC90 still looks great, and its new mild-hybrid inline-four is a joy to use. But the underlying chassis can't deliver the same ride comfort or handling as its rivals. And while the interior is still a nice place to spend time, it feels outdated.
Engine & Drivetrain: A Trio of Hybrids
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
The two cheapest powertrains for the 2025 Volvo XC90 are both mild hybrids paired to a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. The base B5 trim is rated at 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, while the beefier B6 is rated at 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. The top-level T8 is a plug-in hybrid that pairs the same 2.0-liter engine to an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 145-horsepower electric motor, for a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque.
If performance is important to you, it's the T8 you want. Volvo says it can sprint to 60 miles per hour in 5.0 seconds. The B6 takes 6.4 seconds to reach the same speed. The B5 is slower still, rated at 7.3 seconds to get from zero to 60, according to Volvo.
The only transmission option is an eight-speed automatic, sending power to all four wheels. Buyers choose between conventional coil springs or, for $1,800, air suspension, which can raise the SUV by up to 1.57 inches, or lower it by 0.8 inches.
Technology & Infotainment: Almost, But Not Quite
Gallery: 2025 Volvo Infotainment Review
22
Source: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
Being a 10-year-old car, Volvo has had to constantly update
the XC90's infotainment
to stay relevant. It made a big step for 2025, shoehorning an 11.2-inch portrait-style display onto the dashboard. It's bright and crisp, delivering a modern user interface with Google Assistant, which includes useful stuff like integrated Google Maps.
There's also a 12.3-inch display for the driver's instrument cluster, which displays stuff like speed, range, and power. If you're running any sort of navigation—through Apple CarPlay or otherwise—the map will project onto this display, so you don't have to look away from the road to check where you're going.
Speaking of CarPlay, it's not wireless. Even in 2025, you need a wired connection to run CarPlay in the XC90. That's a big red flag, especially since the all-electric EX90 gets wireless CarPlay right out of the box. Thankfully, Volvo plans to correct this issue next year.
Design: Aging Gracefully
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
The XC90 was the most beautiful vehicle in its segment back in 2015, and it's held that title since. With perfect proportions and a handsome face, there's a lot to like about the design. It looks like it could've debuted yesterday, despite the body panels looking essentially the same for the past decade.
For 2025, the XC90 adopts some of the design cues from its all-electric EX90 sibling, including a diagonally striped grille and updated 'Thor's Hammer' daytime running lights. We're into it.
The interior leaves a bit more to be desired, with many of the same controls retained over the XC90's lifecycle. We appreciate the real buttons for the steering wheel, but they feel a bit cheap in 2025.
Passenger & Cargo Space: Excellent Approach
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
The XC90 is a master of space utilization. No matter the trim, you can opt for a 5-, 6-, or 7-seat configuration. The third row folds flat for more storage and makes for a good emergency set of seats in a pinch. (They're pretty tight, so don't expect adults to stay comfortable for long).
The front seats are among the finest in the industry, both in terms of comfort and adjustability. With 38.9 inches of headroom, 40.9 inches of legroom, and 56.0 inches of hip room, there's plenty of space for all body types.
With our six-seat tester, the rear luggage compartment can accommodate up to 10.6 cubic feet of stuff with the third row deployed, 34.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, or 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.
Driving Impressions: Good, Not Great
Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1
The XC90 is a pleasant place to spend time. It's quiet and isolated, with subdued road manners, light steering, and agreeable handling. In a vacuum, there's not much to fault here. Except, the XC90's competitors have caught up to it, and in most cases, surpassed it in isolation and ride quality.
Over rough or bumpy road surfaces, the XC90's suspension transmits more to the cabin than a
BMW X5
. The Volvo's ride isn't as refined as the more-modern vehicles in this segment. That's not a knock against the XC90, per se, just an observation that the industry has moved on.
If you're coming from something older, you'll like the new XC90. It has most of the new tech you'd expect from a new car, and it looks great. Just don't be surprised when you test drive something else and find this Volvo lacking.
Fuel Economy: Only Efficient At The Top
If fuel economy is important to you, the XC90 offers a couple of great options. The base B5 model gets 23 miles per gallon city and 30 highway, with a combined 26 miles per gallon, according to the EPA. Our T8 tester is even more efficient, with a combined 58 MPGe while using the electric motor and onboard battery. With the battery empty, the inline-four can still manage 27 mpg combined.
The mid-level B6 is the least efficient of the trio, rated at 20 mpg and 26 mpg highway, for a combined 23 mpg.
Payload & Towing: About What You'd Expect
The XC90 wasn't made to pull huge loads, but with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds, it can still tug stuff like small trailers, boats, and even lightweight cars. With a maximum weight rating of 6150 pounds, it can also hold up to 1,679 pounds before maxing out the suspension. The roof is rated up to 220 pounds.
Pricing & Verdict: Good In A Vacuum
The 2025 Volvo XC90 B5 starts at $59,745, including a destination fee of $1,295. Step up to the more powerful B6 model, and you'll be paying $64,645. The top-dog T8, meanwhile, starts at $81,995.
Our tester came in 'Ultra' guise, which added stuff like a 360-degree surround view camera, a head-up display, and ventilated front seats. It was also equipped with air suspension, and a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Total price out the door: $88,695.
The prices aren't unreasonable for what you get. Luxury cars are expensive, and this SUV segment has ballooned in average price in recent years. The Volvo undercuts cars like the Audi Q7 and the Lexus GX, making it an appealing choice for buyers on a budget.
Competitors:
Acura MDX
Audi Q7
Infiniti QX60
Lexus GX
2025 Volvo XC90 FAQs
Is the 2025 Volvo XC90 Reliable?
The Volvo XC90 has been around for a decade, holding its place as a fairly reliable vehicle, as least as far as European luxury SUVs go. As with all technologically complex cars, stuff will start to go wrong over time. And because you can't find most parts at your local auto store, it might be slightly more expensive to fix.
Does the 2025 Volvo XC90 Have Three Rows?
Yes, the 2025 Volvo XC90 is available with three rows. Buyers can choose between a two-row, five-seat configuration, a six-seat, three-row configuration, or a seven-seat, three-row configuration.
How Much Does the 2025 Volvo XC90 Cost?
The 2025 Volvo XC90 starts at $59,745, including a destination fee of $1,295. For that, you get a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four paired to a mild-hybrid system, along with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
2025 Volvo XC90 T8
Engine
Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Inline-Four Hybrid
Output
455 Horsepower / 523 Pound-Feet
Transmission
Eight-Speed Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Speed 0-60 MPH
5.0 Seconds
Maximum speed
112 Miles Per Hour
Weight
5,053 Pounds (mfr.)
Efficiency
28 MPG / 58 MPGe Combined
Seating Capacity
7
Cargo Volume
10.6 / 34.6 / 85.7 Cubic Feet
On Sale
Now
Base Price
$80,700
As-Tested Price
$88,695
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