2025 Volvo XC90 Evaluate: Refreshed Swedish SUV

Whereas only a mid-cycle replace, the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 will get some high quality updates. However extra importantly, it retains a lot of what makes it a Volvo. As a Volvo spokesperson informed me, consider the newest XC90 as an “previous buddy who retains getting higher.”

Volvo’s flagship debuted all the way in which again in 2002. The second technology, which the 2025.5 is an iteration of, got here out in 2015. This automobile isn’t any spring rooster, however gross sales proceed to be sturdy.

I flew midway across the globe to spend just a few days driving the newest XC90 with the intention to convey you first-hand expertise impressions of this Swedish luxurious SUV. Whereas a lot of the expertise was chilly, windy, and moist, I used to be all the time very snug inside each the B5 and T8 variations of the XC90 that I skilled.

In Brief: The XC90 has chiseled out its personal place out there and this newest refresh simply makes it higher. Whereas I’m not a fan of the bottom mild-hybrid powertrain or normal suspension, the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 eAWD plug-in hybrid with air suspension is a three-row luxurious SUV worthy of consideration.

2025 Volvo XC90 Evaluate

This refreshed second technology XC90 three-row luxurious SUV is only a good automobile to spend time in. The design is clear and the 2025.5 updates make a top quality automobile even higher.

What’s New Outdoors?

Let’s dive proper into what’s new. The obvious updates are the brand new grille and lighting. These updates have additionally necessitated slight modifications to the entrance air intakes, entrance bumper, hood, and entrance fenders.

The headlights are an up to date, trendy tackle Volvo’s ‘Thor’s Hammer’ type lighting design that’s slimmer and stretches all the way in which to the grille. The brand new headlights are a 15-segment matrix gentle expertise that’s mentioned to present a “huge and lengthy gentle sample.” I discovered them to work fairly nicely within the dreary grey fall climate I skilled in southern Sweden and northern Denmark.

Whereas the rear of the automobile doesn’t actually change, the taillamps have been up to date in expertise and tinted.

New 20 to 22 inch wheels, three new designs, additionally elevate the trendy look of this Scandinavian SUV.

There are each Darkish and Shiny exterior trim choices on the newest XC90. The brand new coloration for 2025.5 is Mulberry purple.

What’s New Inside?

An enormous replace contained in the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 is the 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, with Google built-in. Whereas it seems a bit tacked onto the sprint, as a substitute of built-in into it, it’s functionally excellent. It’s primarily the identical as discovered within the newest EX30 and EX90 electrical autos, which is an effective factor.

There’s a bar formed button slightly below the touchscreen that can all the time convey you again to the house display, which is a really helpful characteristic. By hitting the bar button once more the map will get larger on the display, which can also be helpful. Drive modes are additionally simply accessible on the house display.

A brand new and improved encompass digital camera system is available in very helpful when navigating tight city streets.

All XC90 fashions get a brand new recycled textile deco on the sprint, simply above new curved pure ash wooden trim. Between these two new parts is an ambient lighting system that appears nice, reflecting off the curved wooden.

The entrance cupholder within the console now holds two giant cups/bottles/cans and a thin can (suppose Purple Bull can) and is roofed when not in use by an accordion type wooden cowl. It additionally has a vertical telephone holder on the entrance. On the entrance of the console, past the cup holder and equipment selector, is now a big wi-fi telephone charging pad.

A brand new mid-grade ‘Nordico’ upholstery possibility seems like leather-based, however is made from recycled plastic and pine resin.

Similar Similar

The 2 different inside choices carry over from 2024, a Napa leather-based or Textile. The leather-based possibility is the one possibility if you would like air flow and/or therapeutic massage in your entrance seats. The Textile possibility solely is available in a darkish blue coloration with a big Herringbone sample and is made from 100% recycled polyester. I really like the Textile appear and feel, however actually want it was supplied with therapeutic massage.

As earlier than, the U.S. market will get the XC90 in B5, B6, and T8 variations, in three trim ranges of every mannequin — Core, Plus, and Extremely —, and in 7 and 6 seat configurations. All 2025.5 XC90 fashions are AWD, have a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine and a really easy 8-speed computerized transmission. The B6 mannequin will get an e-supercharger and the T8 mannequin combines that turbo fuel engine with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system.

The B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains come normal with Commonplace and Offroad drive modes, smooth and agency steering modes, and mediocre efficiency (7.3 and 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, respectively).

The T8’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain alternatively gives very competent efficiency with a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. With 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque on faucet, this luxurious SUV strikes its 4,910 pound weight across the metropolis and freeway with ease. That energy comes through an inline four-cylinder 2.0L turbo mixed with a rear electrical motor. It additionally gives 33 miles of all-electric vary. The PHEV will get Hybrid, Pure, and Offroad drive modes and Auto/Maintain/Cost battery utilization modes.

All 2025.5 XC90 coming to the U.S. market get a panoramic (glass) roof. The darkish tinting of the glass is sweet at decreasing solar glare, whereas an influence sunshade helps cut back the solar’s heating results when exterior air temps get excessive.

The optionally available top-of-the-line Bowers & Wilkens sound system is sort of spectacular. An effective way to expertise it absolutely is to make use of the demo app within the infotainment system, however it’s only accessible whereas the automobile is in park. The sound stage choices and sound high quality are top of the range, as are the appear and feel of the stainless-steel speaker grills. The 1,410-watt audio system has 19 audio system and a singular tweeter within the heart of the sprint, which is each cool-looking and a bit distracting.

Up to date Suspension

There are two suspensions on supply on the 2025.5 Volvo XC90.

The brand new base suspension is an FSD (frequency selective damping) setup with new softer springs, dampers, a thicker entrance anti-roll bar, and recalibrated software program for the steering. Volvo says all of this permits the wheels to maneuver extra freely however hold the physique extra managed. It says “every damper mechanically adapts its traits to present highway situations to optimize each consolation and stability, including to a extra assured and relaxed driving expertise on all roads.” I’m not all that satisfied, as I discovered the trip to be a bit sloppy and never all that snug.

On the flip facet of the coin, the carry over from 2024 optionally available air suspension with energetic chassis expertise I discovered to be nice over a variety of highway situations. Not solely did it enable me to extract essentially the most efficiency out of the XC90 but additionally cruise in consolation. This optionally available suspension is accessible throughout all fashions within the XC90 lineup, and an improve I extremely advocate.

I’ve to notice that I appear to be within the minority amongst automotive journalists in the case of this opinion, as most that I belief don’t appear to suppose the air suspension is price the additional price over the bottom suspension, particularly in its new type. So, my advice is to check drive each back-to-back at your native Volvo supplier and make up your personal opinon.

2025.5 XC90: The Good

Now, let’s dive into what I discovered to be actually good in regards to the 2025 Volvo XC90, because it actually is a compelling automobile.

Even with the fitted winter tires, at instances heavy rain, and a few tough rural Swedish roads the XC90 had a really quiet cabin. Volvo added foam insulation to the A and B pillars and extra insulation to the firewall for this newest replace, and it’s noticeable and appreciated.

Each contact level within the XC90 has been optimized for consolation. They’re practically all smooth and textured. You need to contact issues within the XC90. Even seize handles are lined in smooth leather-like materials that appears to be stitched on.

I really like the brand new steering wheel design, because it’s snug within the fingers and appears sharp. It additionally telescopes approach again, which is nice for tall folks like myself that don’t need our shins towards the sprint. However, the steering wheel is simply manually adjustable, not energy adjustable such as you may count on in a luxurious automobile on this class, and like the electrical EX90 gives.

In addition to the nice new central touchscreen the XC90 additionally has a 12.3-inch driver show and optionally available head-up show (HUD). All these screens work nicely collectively, are excessive decision, and have impressively clear graphics, though they could be a bit busy at instances.

2025.5 XC90: The Could possibly be Higher

Now, we additionally must dive into just a few of the issues that I discovered with the 2025 Volvo XC90 that didn’t impress.

First, not one of the three accessible powertrain choices will get spectacular gasoline economic system, though none are horrible. All require premium gasoline. The B5 will get 26 MPG, B6 23, and T8 27. Whereas 33 miles of electrical vary with the T8 PHEV could be very usable, it has been eclipsed by opponents and is one thing I believed may see enchancment with this replace.

How in 2025 does this luxurious SUV not have wi-fi Apple CarPlay? It does have CarPlay, however it’s important to plug your telephone in to allow it. I did hear whispers that wi-fi performance may be coming by the use of an over-the-air (OTA) replace quickly.

Whereas not surprising, the third row on this SUV is sort of small. it’s completely acceptable for teenagers, however is a really tight match for any common sized adults.

Whereas minor, its a significant oversight for my part. The solar visors don’t lengthen to supply full protection of the facet home windows. It is a primary performance factor that has been round perpetually, so could be very odd that Volvo wouldn’t supply extending solar visors on the XC90.

2025.5 Volvo XC90 Evaluate Wrap-up

Whereas base mannequin pricing begins slightly below $60k, a top-spec mannequin simply climbs over $80k. And, the highest spec PHEV with air suspension is the model I’d advocate contemplating.

The 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV with air suspension is only a very nice automobile to dwell with. It’s quiet inside, gives snug seats, an intuitive and poweful infotainment, and is mostly only a nice place to spend time in. It additionally has responsive driver controls, easy suspension, and is tremendous protected in all climate situations. High all that off with sufficient room to hold a number of gear and/or household/mates and also you’ve bought a reasonably spectacular package deal.

Whereas the styling is a bit subdued and missing in aptitude, it’s cohesive and fulfilling in and out. The 2025 XC90 is unlikely to show heads and appeal to a lot consideration however will please all of the senses of its proprietor and passengers.

Earlier than I go away you, I’ve to deal with the elephant within the room. Whereas they give the impression of being quite a bit alike and have very comparable names, the XC90 and EX90 are fairly totally different autos underneath the pores and skin. Though, with the XC90’s 2025.5 refresh it does get most of the similar options as its full-electric secure mate. The XC90 has window switches, which the EX90 doesn’t — I do know, loopy that’s one thing we’ve to speak about! Nonetheless, the XC90 is missing the EX90’s Lidar and energy adjustable steering wheel.