We’re big fans of Volvo. While most of the European product comes from powerhouse names like BMW, Audi and Mercedes, Volvo offers a buyer a cool, Swedish perspective that has a different vibe than the German carmakers. It’s luxury with a different twist, and we love that.
So, Volvo’s XC90 has been around for a while, and they have been constantly doing little things to keep the ’90 competitive in the marketplace but for 2025.5 (the previous model is still being sold as a 2025) it gets a major refresh, with new looks, an updated interior, new tech and slightly upgraded performance. You bet we wanted a test drive!

Subtle Swede

On the outside the changes are minor, but enough to catch the eye.
There’s a redesigned grille that’s a bit larger, and features angled lines for a modern look, while the headlights still feature a “Thor’s Hammer” signature line, overall, they’re slimmer for a slightly more aggressive effect.

The profile remains mostly unchanged, and we’ve always liked the handsome, conservative lines of the 3-row SUV. The Volvo looks prominent, and oozes quality and high-end status. There are new designs for the wheels, and we really liked our tester’s 21-inch, 5-multi-spoke Black Diamond Cut design, they really give some visual bite and fill out the wheel wells.

The rearview is carried over too, with a tint job on the tall taillights being the only major claim to fame. The finishing touch on our tester was the new Mulberry Red paint – a deep mahogany/maroon that looks rich and classy and world’s better than the silver, gray and cement tones that seem to permeate most SUV’s these days.

Scandinavian by Design

Inside, one the nicest cabins in the business is even better. We’ve always liked the Swedish sense of design, minimalism combined with high quality materials that make things feel special.

Open the door and you’ll notice the dashboard has a more horizontal look, that just adds to the wide, spacious feeling of the interior. The front seats are all you’d expect from high-end Scandinavian furniture – highly supportive, covered in rich Nappa leather, and on our tester, heated, ventilated and with a delightful massage feature!

Settle in and you’re surrounded in tech, with a 12.3-inch, digital gauge cluster that does all the nice stuff, including serving up the navigation display. A standard head-up display helps keep you from being distracted as well.

The big news is the all-new 11.2-inch info-tainment display (up from 9.0-inches before), and it starts by being beautifully integrated into the center dash, with new vertical vents on either side. While it sits out slightly like a tall tablet, it merges so nicely into the dash, you don’t miss the all-in-one, widescreen digital displays we’re seeing from all the other high-end manufacturers.

The system is top notch, too, with built-in Google Assistant, in-dash navigation, and the voice interface that’s amazingly natural – you just talk to it like a person. While all the major features are on the touchscreen, by dedicating areas to things like climate control it’s pretty painless to use.

We had to fight it a little bit, but ultimately, we got the Volvo to work with our iPhone, and Apple CarPlay looked and worked great on the big screen. Honestly, the onboard Google system was even easier to use and became our default navigation. The optional top-of-the-line Bowers & Wilkins 1410-watt, 19-speaker audio system easily filled the cabin with awesome sound, and we love the Volvo’s sound interface that lets you create the ambiance you want – studio, concert hall? You decide.

And speaking of ambience, you can’t beat the details like matte finish wood trim, metal coverings for the audio speakers, and soft-touch recycled materials throughout. And our favorite – a genuine Orrefors crystal shift lever! You feel surrounded in elegance and goodness.

OK, we loved being in the driver seat, but the XC90 handles the fam with glam. The XC90 will be available in 5,6 and 7-seat layouts. Our tester was the 6-passenger model, with 2nd row captain’s chairs that are plush and spacious – although after spending time in the Kia Carnival’s 2nd row reclining thrones with swing up ottoman cushion and massive screen display, we felt a little less special. A handy, but compact third row seat is great for kids, and both 2nd and 3rd rows flip-fold easily to create a huge cargo hold.

Thor’s Hammer, She’s a Ripper!

Mechanically, most of the XC90 carries over, but that’s ok – it’s petty sweet as it is. The XC90 family starts with a 247-horsepower, turbo, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder with a standard 8-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive.

Our T8 model is the poster child for Swede Speed. Twist the ignition knob in the center console, and the giant awakes with 455 horsepower, 523 lb.-ft. of torque plug-in hybrid powertrain, courtesy of a 310-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder combined with a 145-hp electric motor.

This is a ton of muscle, with a mountain of torque off the line, and in the big XC90, 0-60 mph comes up in under 5 second, and it keeps on pulling like a freight train all through the rev range. It sounds great doing so with a throaty exhaust note along for the ride. Even if you’re not into power, the T8 serves up some great numbers, including 33-mile EV only range, and even a 27-mpg gasoline only EPA rating.

The chassis is up to the game, with great response combined with luxurious comfort. Part of this was thanks to the optional Active Chassis with Air Suspension, while the XC90 is a large vehicle, it drives smaller than it is, and even though we don’t think most XC owners will be out tackling twisty roads, the Volvo is capable to do so. The around view parking monitor also made easing into a space a snap. Away from the mall, we especially liked the supple and quiet ride on the freeway.

The Audi, BMW and Mercedes competitors may be a bit more biased towards performance, but the XC can still put a smile on driver’s faces.

IKEA Priced?

Er..no. This is a premium luxury model that competes with the best. But on the bright side, you don’t have to assemble it yourself. We do like the IKEA Swedish pancakes, though!

You can get into a mild hybrid XC90 starting at $59,745. For a gorgeous, comfortable vehicle with its own unique style, that’s a strong value.

Our T8 AWD Ultra is indeed the ultra, and this massively-equipped plug-in hybrid starts at $80,700. Like all good premium brands, there are tasty options to tempt you – ours featured the Lounge Package ($1,700), Active Chassis with Air Suspension ($1,800), Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound ($3,200) and Destination charge ($1,295). All totaled, we rang the bell at $88,695.

We’d also look at the Audi Q7 55 TSFI, which is also gorgeous, beautiful inside and out, and very sporty. It lacks a plug-in hybrid powertrain, though and the Volvo XC90 is faster and more efficient. Coming in at $88,890 it’s a similar value. And if you’re feeling more off-roadish, we like the Lexus GX 550 a lot, at $83,995, it’s a little less costly, and the twin turbo V6 has a lot of character, but you guessed it – the XC90 is faster and more efficient.

Gorgeous, luxurious, furiously quick and efficient – all with that Swedishness you only get in a Volvo – the 2025 Volvo XC90 is a one-of-a-kind, 3-row luxury SUV. And we love it!