31-03-2025
Test Driving The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8
The XC90 T8 is a Volvo-boxy medium-sized luxury SUV that will offend no one and will look white-wine-and-cheese elegant in your driveway. It's also one of the safest rides available, gets excellent mileage and did what it does best correctly over recent week's test, with no surprises - meaning it was a great week.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
2025 brings minimal changes but they include enhanced hybrid performance and a tweaked design, including a spiffed-up front grille and updated cabin materials. For the purposes of this review, we're talking specifically about the T8 - the hybrid-assisted model.
It looks like what it is - a boxy Volvo with a pleasing, mod front grille and sleek body lines. Signature Thor's Hammer headlights add a sharp touch. The rear features sculpted taillights and a slightly raised stance. You can take it off road but the body doesn't beg you to - it's not rugged or ferocious. It's dignified and practical and solid.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
It's a cocoon of quiet elegance accommodating up to seven passengers with three rows of seats. I had no passengers during the test but crawled in the back-back and, as usual, the smaller occupants, or children, or animals, may ride there with a full house. The cabin features a minimal Scandinavian design with high-quality leather and wood.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
The updated infotainment system includes a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android AutoAdvanced voice recognition allowing hands-free control of various functions. The cabin also features a premium sound system and ambient lighting, further elevating the luxury feel. The jewel is the diamond-like shift.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
The T8 features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, offering an impressive 455 horsepower. The electric-only range is approximately 23 miles, making it suitable for short commutes. In hybrid mode, the XC90 T8 achieves an estimated 27 miles per gallon combined.
My 2025 XC90 T8 starts at $80,000, with prices increasing for higher trims like the T8 Inscription, which can reach $93,000 or more with additional features.
On the road, the XC90 T8 is steady-as-she-goes, with quick acceleration from a dead stop or around town, less so at speed. Acceleration is smooth and the all-wheel-drive system gives you stability in the snow and rain, both of which I was pelted with during the 311 miles the test ate up. The regenerative braking system contributes to smooth deceleration and it's fun to both get the hang of it and use to your best advantage. At lights, if the traffic ahead of you moves and you don't, you'll get an alert.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
This XC90 isn't as agile as its competitors, but adequate for the tasks you ask of it. It's more comfort and swank than rock-n-roll. But it makes a great long-distance tripper, or a pleasant daily commute.
Some may find the 28-or-so miles the XC90 T8 can get out of a charge chintzy. Also, during the entire 7 days, the sound system never once gave me a break and remembered that I use my phone's Bluetooth system. I had to stop what I was doing before setting off 100% of the time, find the Bluetooth icon on the upper left screen, press it, wait for the arrow on the screen to appear, push that arrow, and we were back in business.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 FRONT
Standard features include Volvo's Pilot Assist for semi-autonomous driving, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a 360-degree camera system, and more. Volvo's City Safety system offers automatic collision avoidance - and it works well.
Conclusion: This is a quality Volvo from looks to manners to safety through-and-through, If you're a fan of the brand, check out the XC90 T8.
