New Volvo XC90 review

Planning for every scenario family life has to throw at you is impossible. For example, you pick up your child from football practice and their five friends want a lift – or you’re going on holiday and the pile of luggage is taller than you are. If that sounds familiar, take a look at the new Volvo XC90.

The XC90 is the largest and most practical SUV in the Volvo model line-up and it comes as a seven-seater as standard. The current-generation XC90 has been around for a while now but it's been updated for 2025, with a new front fascia and the outside and a new infotainment system on the inside.

So are the changes enough to keep the Volvo XC90 competitive with its key rivals – namely the Audi Q7, the BMW X7 and seven-seat versions of the Land Rover Defender? Read on to find out. Or, if you're interested in the all-electric equivalent of the XC90, see our Volvo EX90 review.

The entry-level petrol Volvo XC90 (badged B5) can manage 0-62mph in a respectable 7.7sec, with acceleration feels fairly effortless – even if the (diesel-powered) Audi Q7 45 TDI remains noticeably stronger.

Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) T8's combination of a petrol engine and electric motor makes it properly quick. It's easily faster than the B5, getting from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds. Is it a full-blown sports SUV like the Audi SQ7 though? Well, no – its performance isn’t that level of breathtaking. 

The T8 can officially do up to 44 miles on electric power alone, although you'll be lucky to get much more than 30 miles in the real world. Its official electric-only range is longer than that of the Land Rover Defender P400e but shorter than the BMW X5 xDrive50e (although that's only available as a five-seater).

All XC90s come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Under light acceleration, shifts are smooth, although gear changes become much more pronounced when you put your foot down harder. It can be quite hesitant, too. Overall, it’s not as slick or as responsive as the BMW X7 gearbox.

The XC90 in entry-level Core trim with standard suspension is well cushioned. You notice more imperfections than you would in an Audi Q7 or Defender but it’s generally comfortable. The lighter XC90 B5 rides a bit softer than the heavier T8.

If you upgrade to mid-range Plus or range-topping Ultra trim you’ll get air suspension, which creates an even smoother, more relaxing ride.

There’s just one catch: when paired with the optional 22in wheels on the T8 PHEV in Ultra trim, the air suspension fails to prevent the XC90 from tripping up over larger bumps and sharp abrasions. You can feel and hear a noticeable thump.

Overall, the XC90 isn't quite as agile as an Audi Q7. It corners with more body roll – although not to an alarming degree – and is less adept at quick direction changes. 

The steering is consistently weighted and precise, plus grip levels are good, so you can tackle a country road with some confidence, but the XC90 much prefers a gentle, relaxed driving style. Again, it’s no sports SUV.

With its ability to run on electric power alone, the T8 is quieter than the B5 when you're pootling around town. If you push on a bit, you’ll notice the T8’s petrol engine kicking in, but it's not a rowdy experience. The B5 is much the same: the engine makes itself heard as the revs rise, although it never becomes too raucous and is remarkably hushed at a steady cruise.

Wind noise is relatively well suppressed. Road noise is a little more prominent but it’s still kept to a minimum, and has improved with the 2024 facelift. On the standard suspension in Core trim, the XC90 now better keeps road and suspension noise in check.

You do still get some thumping noises every now and again, but far from an annoying amount. For the most refined experience, you’ll want a B5 on air suspension – not a T8 Ultra on 22in wheels.

"While upgrading to Plus trim for the air suspension is tempting, I didn’t find the standard suspension on Core models to be uncomfortable – quite the opposite." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

All Volvo XC90s come with electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, including adjustable lumbar support, so finding a comfy driving position shouldn’t take you long. In fact, this is one of the most comfortable seven-seat SUVs you can get, helped by brilliantly supportive seats.

The seats in top-spec Ultra trim are trimmed in soft Nappa leather and even have a massaging function and, in all versions, the pedals line up nicely with the steering wheel to ensure there’s no skewed driving position.

Most features, including the climate controls, are operated using the tablet-style 11.2in infotainment touchscreen. There's also a voice-control system, which is pretty good at understanding simple commands, such as changing the temperature.

Large windows all round make the XC90 easy to see out of, and relatively slim front pillars help when navigating roundabouts and junctions. Your over-the-shoulder view is good too.

Every trim comes equipped with front and rear parking sensors as standard, making it easier to manoeuvre the XC90's bulk into a tight parking space. You also get a rear-view camera, while a 360-degree bird's eye view camera is standard on mid-spec Plus and above.

The standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist help you see better at night.

The XC90’s 11.2in touchscreen represents a big step up from the previous 9.0in set-up. As well as the screen being larger, the icons are too. Plus, the graphics look much sharper than before and it’s more responsive now.

Still, trying to use an iPad-like device while driving isn’t ideal. We'd prefer a rotary controller – as found in the BMW X5 and BMW X7.

The Google-based infotainment has Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, but Android Auto isn’t available. The standard 10-speaker stereo sounds decent enough, but there’s a 13-speaker Harman Kardon upgrade on Plus models and an excellent 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins upgrade with Ultimate trim.

The XC90’s interior is of typical Volvo quality, with a mix of smart materials across the dashboard and around the centre console. There’s chrome trim, plus gloss-black pieces around the infotainment screen and gear lever.

Top-level Ultimate trim feels the plushest, with its wood-effect dashboard trim and a unique touch: a blown-glass gearlever. Sourced from a specialty Swedish glassmaker, it looks and feels lovely.

Even entry-level Core trim offers a sharp-looking, high-grade interior finish. High-quality materials are used in all the key places, along with substantial-feeling switches and buttons.

It has to be said that you don’t get quite the sense of impeccable robustness you find in an Audi Q7 or BMW X7 but that’s more down to those rivals excelling than Volvo dropping the ball.

"The XC90 has an airy, open feel inside and its driving position is pretty lofty. I really enjoyed having a commanding view of the road ahead." –  Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Like all its main rivals, the Volvo XC90 offers more than enough head and leg room to keep even tall adults happy up front. There’s also generous shoulder room, if not quite as much as you get in an Audi Q7 or Land Rover Defender.

Two large cupholders and a storage bin are positioned between the front seats. The two door pockets can each hold a large water bottle and still have space left for other smaller items. The glovebox is opened electronically and is large enough to store much more than just the user manual.

The second-row seats in the XC90 are up to the challenge of accommodating taller passengers. Head room is ample, and while the Audi Q7 and BMW X7 offer a whisker more leg room, the XC90 offers more than some other rivals, including the Land Rover Discovery.

There's even room for three adults sitting side-by-side, although the narrower middle seat isn’t as comfortable on long journeys as the broader one in the Land Rover Defender 110. The panoramic roof (Plus and Ultimate trims) eats into head room a bit, although you’d need to be seriously tall for this to be a problem.

All XC90s come with seven seats as standard. There’s enough room for smaller adults or children in the third row but anyone tall will find them tight on a long trip. If space for seven adults to travel together is a priority, look at the Defender, Discovery or X7 instead.

The three seats in the XC90's middle row can be slid forwards and backwards independently to improve rear leg room for anyone sitting behind, or to maximise boot space when you don't need to use the third row. Middle-row passengers can also adjust the angle of their seatback.

Unlike its competitors – including the Q7 and the Discovery – the third row of seats isn’t power-operated and has to be lifted up manually, but it's easy to do with one hand. When not in use, the third-row seats lie flush with the boot floor.

Even with all seven seats in use, there’s room for a couple of large bags in the boot, plus some additional underfloor storage. That's more than you get in a Land Rove Discovery. With only five seats in use, the boot space swells to enable two large pushchairs, a couple of sets of golf clubs or 10 carry-on suitcases to fit with ease.

The boot isn't only big – it’s also practical. The relatively square shape, non-existent load lip and large aperture help when loading bulkier items. With air suspension fitted, it’s even possible to lower the rear end of the car by a few centimetres at the touch of a button, to make lifting in heavy items slightly easier.

The XC90 T8 PHEV loses a bit of load space in the underfloor storage area compared with other XC90s but there’s still plenty of room at your disposal.

"I found the two fold-out rear seats a faff to get into because the middle row is awkward to move, but they’re big enough for children or average-sized adults." –  Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

The Volvo XC90 is generally cheaper to buy than an equivalent Audi Q7 and much cheaper than a BMW X7. The Land Rover Defender slightly undercuts the XC90.

We reckon the cheaper B5 petrol is the engine to buy, although don’t expect fantastic fuel economy. Even though it’s enhanced by mild-hybrid tech, its official average is 33.6mpg, and in the real world 25mpg is more realistic.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) XC90 – the T8 Recharge – has a much higher list price than the B5 but it does make sense for company car drivers because its low CO2 output places it in a low BIK tax bracket. If you can live without seven seats, it's worth noting that the BMW X5 xDrive50e and Range Rover Sport P460e are even cheaper company cars.

The XC90's entry-level Core trim is our pick. Adaptive cruise control, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated front and outer middle-row seats, a heated windscreen and steering wheel, a powered tailgate, 20in alloy wheels and four-zone climate control all come as standard.

Mid-spec Plus is tempting, seeing as it gets you the super smooth air suspension, but it does demand a considerable price premium. Plus also gets a panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon sound system upgrade, ambient interior lighting and integrated sun blinds for the rear side windows.

Meanwhile, range-topping Ultimate adds air suspension, 21in alloy wheels, a head-up display, rear privacy glass, laminated side windows and a Bowers & Wilkins stereo, but it's too pricey to recommend as our top pick.

In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, the XC90 ranked fifth out of 12 cars in the seven-seater class while Volvo came 12th out of 31 car brands, beating Audi but not BMW. Those are good results.

All XC90s come with a three-year, 60,000-mile manufacturer warranty the covers most components. The T8 models have their battery packs covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

The XC90's five-star Euro NCAP safety rating has now expired, but when it was tested back in 2015, it scored well across all of the categories, including protecting adults, children and pedestrians. It’s impossible to compare results with those of newer SUVs though.

Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, a traffic-sign recognition system, six airbags, traction control and Isofix mounts for child seats on the outer two middle-row seats. Blind-spot monitoring is also fitted.

Security experts Thatcham Research awarded the XC90 top marks for its ability to resist being stolen and good marks for guarding against being broken into.

"During my drive on our test route, the Volvo XC90 T8 proved decently economical once its battery was depleted, managing more than 30mpg and bettering a lot of its rivals." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

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