Pursuitist automotive and lifestyle contributor Brian Armstead has been involved…
Since it was introduced as a 2003 model, the Volvo XC90 has redefined the continually evolving Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment.
I recall my first media drive of the 2003 XC90. During the drive, Volvo set up a safety course in a stadium parking lot to demonstrate the electronic systems built into the new XC90 to combat a problem that cost lives in some early SUVs-rollover crashes – most notably with the Ford Explorer.
In Volvo’s home country Sweden, and throughout Scandinavia, the possibility of a collision with a moose is a common reality. An adult male moose can reach over six feet tall and weigh over 1,500 pounds. A collision with such a massive animal can be fatal. To combat this, Volvo engineered the XC90 SUV to survive such a collision. Using high-strength steel in strategic areas, including the “A” pillar and windshield frame, the 2003 XC90’s structure enhanced the survivability of such crashes. But in some situations, it’s better to swerve out of the way of potential doom to avoid crashes.
So during an afternoon of driving on a stadium parking lot cone safety course built by Volvo in California, Volvo borrowed a life-size “moose” prop from a Hollywood movie set and positioned it on the safety course. With a two-way radio inside the XC90 so we could hear course instructions, we sped towards the moose and turned sharply left or right, based on last-second instructions over the two-way radio, to avoid a collision with the “moose.”
Folks, swerving at any speed in a vehicle with a high center of gravity like an SUV or pickup truck can easily lead to a rollover accident as the laws of physics are absolute.
Or are they? Volvo engineered the first XC90 with an advanced electronic stability control system to help prevent rollovers in extreme situations. At speeds up to 50 mph, we swerved to avoid the moose prop. Swerving at that speed is a violent maneuver, but the XC90 kept us upright, without any drama.
It was super impressive, but not unexpected. The 2025 model continues the superior safety that one expects from any Volvo.
So we now know about continuing safety in the new XC90. But for this new model, Volvo’s challenge was to make what they consider the best SUV, even better.
Pursuitist is in agreement that the iconic Swedish brand has done just that.
“The new XC90 exudes confidence, and why wouldn’t it? Our hybrid flagship has been one of our best-selling models for years and it’s still a favorite among many customers,” said Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars. “Whether it’s comfort, space, luxury, versatility or hybrid efficiency you look for, the XC90 delivers on all accounts. Put together, the XC90 and its fully electric EX90 sibling provide customers with the options that suit them best and equip us with a balanced portfolio as we continue our transition towards full electrification.”
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Copenhagen, Denmark
To experience the new XC90, we traveled to Denmark and Sweden. Our first stop was Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, a city that’s 857 years old.
Copenhagen sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. It’s linked to Malmo in southern Sweden by the Öresund Bridge. Indre By, the city’s historic center, contains Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century “Rococo” district – home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace. Nearby is Christiansborg Palace and the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle, surrounded by gardens and home to the crown jewels.
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We traveled from Denmark to Sweden via roadways that were in a word, breathtaking, including crossing the famed Öresund Bridge.
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Sweden also offers scenery that one must experience to believe.
Volvo’s “Green” Lineup
The new XC90 joins Volvo’s “green” lineup which includes the full-electric EX30 and EX90, as well as the 2025.5 plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 which Volvo calls “an important car for us in terms of sales and profitability.” Like most manufacturers, Volvo has backed off its previous full-electrification goals a bit, but full electrification remains a key pillar of Volvo Cars’ product strategy.
For Volvo, the balance between fully electric and plug-in hybrids is a sensible move, given the uncertain future of the EV market from a political, resource, and marketing perspective; as the premium fully electric segment is still developing in several key markets, including the United States.
Going forward, Volvo’s goal is for 90 to 100 percent of its global sales volume by 2030 to consist of a mix of both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models; with the remaining 0-10 percent a limited number of mild hybrid models to be sold, if needed. This new strategy replaces Volvo’s previous goal to be fully electric by 2030.
New XC90
The 2025 Volvo XC90 is a seven-seater, available in hybrid and in plug-in hybrid (as a 2025.5 model) form offers about 44 miles of fully electric range on a single charge – perfect for urban commuters or weekend jaunts for groceries and supplies.
For longer trips, models with the hybrid powertrain are paired with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine offering almost 500 miles of gas/electric range.
XC90 Exterior
The new XC90 continues Volvo’s Scandinavian design, and as mentioned earlier in the story, the XC90’s styling reflects Volvo’s transition towards full electrification and echoes elements of their fully electric cars.
Up front, “Thor’s Hammer” LED Daytime Running Lamps create an impressive signature.
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The front hood features a pair of deep aero channels that contribute to better aerodynamics. There are new wheel designs in 20-, 21-, and 22-inch sizes.
XC90 Interior
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The XC90’s interior enhances practicality and features the user experience in Volvo’s EX90 and EX30 EVs. A larger central touchscreen with higher resolution improves the user experience with new features, apps, and over-the-air software update capability.
The dashboard has a more horizontal shape than before, incorporates decorative panels made from premium recycled materials for a more textured finish, and is split by new vertical air vents. Enhanced cockpit illumination looks great at night.
The XC90 is tech-laden and features computer system monitoring to improve tech reliability. XC90 buyers can opt in to software over the air (SOTA) updates, giving Volvo engineers the ability to monitor any issues that may arise and “flash” onboard computers with system updates to resolve those issues.
“Our new-generation user experience will deliver a significant improvement in customer experience and is an important step in our journey to deliver human-centric technology solutions to our customers,” says Erik Severinson, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Volvo Cars. “We’ll continuously and seamlessly adapt the user experience to match the needs of our customers through new and enhanced features that are delivered through over-the-air updates, to improve your car – and your experience – over time.”
Additional interior tech and comfort goodies include (depending on trim level): Digital key (your phone serves as your key), Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 360-degree camera with 3D view, park assist (self-parking), pilot assist (semi-autonomous driving), welcome light sequence and much more.
The interior also gets design, material, and technology updates. The center console is new, with the cupholders adding support for skinny cans and the wireless charger moving behind the central tunnel.
The freestanding center touchscreen increases in size from 9.0 inches to 11.2 inches. The touchscreen’s operating system is based on Google, and common apps and controls, such as maps, media, and mobile phones are now on the home screen. That means it takes fewer taps on the screen to get to the features you most often use. For example, if you’re following navigation directions and want to change the music, you no longer have to leave Google Maps to access the media feature.
Using the same setup as EX30 and EX90 EVs, a “contextual bar” at the top of the display changes what you see according to the situation and displays your most recently used apps.
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The XC90’s sumptuous seats are very supportive. Overhead resides a full-glass panoramic roof.
Killer Audio
The XC90 can be equipped with one of the best-sounding audio systems on the market today – the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.
The high-fidelity audio system has a 12-channel, 1,400-watt Class D amplifier 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers, 7 Nautilus tweeters, 7 midrange speakers, 4 cone woofers, and a new, air-ventilated subwoofer for enhanced bass. Many of the speakers are covered with beautiful aluminum grilles and the speakers are housed in stainless steel panels to maximize sound quality.
Volvo also added improved insulation to reduce interior and exterior noise.
Powertrains and Range
XC90 hybrid B5 and B6 powertrains incorporate a 48-volt electric motor. B5 models feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine while the B6 powertrain increases output to 295 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid T8 powertrain delivers 455-horsepower.
All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission underpin every XC90.
The T8 variant can travel up to 33 miles on electric power and has an EPA-rated fuel economy of 66 MPGe.
XC90 Drive Experience
On perfect Scandinavian roads, our test XC90 T8’s delivered superb and serene ride quality, thanks in part to the T8’s standard air suspension, a feature not available on B5 and B6 models. The air suspension works together with an active chassis that monitors the car, road,
and driver 500 times per second, improving ride quality over base models.
With the ability to lower by 20mm and raise by 40mm, the T8’s air suspension also allows for easier ingress/egress, and additional off-road/trail ride height.
The EX90’s performance is respectable. Zero-60 mph comes up in 5.1 seconds.
For our test XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid testers, standard “Drive Modes” on the home screen were easily accessible. Drive Modes include:
- Hybrid: This is the standard mode where the car automatically switches between electric and gas power depending on battery level and driving needs to achieve optimal fuel economy.
- Pure: Prioritizes using only the electric motor for as long as possible, ideal for short trips with a fully charged battery
- Power: Employs both the electric motor and gasoline engine for the highest power output
- Constant AWD: Engages all-wheel drive full-time, providing enhanced traction in slippery conditions
- Off-road: Adjusts suspension, steering, and traction control for better handling on uneven surfaces
Volvo’s Strong Commitment to Safety
For my entire automotive journalism career, I’ve implored those who read my columns, heard me on radio, or viewed me on television to buy their vehicles based on safety. Volvo has long been a leader in auto safety, with numerous inventions, many shared with other automakers, that save lives. Consider these Volvo inventions:
- Three-point safety belt: Invented by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin in 1959, Volvo gave away the patent so that other car manufacturers could use it. This invention is credited with saving over a million lives
- Front seat head restraints: Invented in 1968, these were the first headrests to be installed in the front seats of cars. They were designed to protect the neck and head in the event of a rear-end collision
- Rearward-facing child seat: Invented in 1972
- Booster cushion: Invented in 1978
- Integrated booster cushion: The world’s first integrated booster cushion was invented in 1990
- Torso airbags: Volvo has contributed to airbag development with innovations such as torso airbags
- Inflatable curtains: Volvo has contributed to airbag development with innovations such as inflatable curtains
Still a non-believer? During a multi-year span, no one died in the legendary “Swedish Brick” – the Volvo 240, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “IIHS based its findings on a study of accidents in which drivers were killed. The crashes occurred between 1989 and 1993 and involved 1988 through 1992 vehicles.
IIHS said no drivers of 1988 through 1992 Volvo 240s were killed during those years, so its death rate was the lowest.” That’s a remarkable auto industry statistic.
For modern XC90s, the SUV has again earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ award (the highest IIHS vehicle safety award) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
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To qualify for the award, vehicles need good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side tests, an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation, and acceptable – or good-rated headlights across all trim levels. In addition, a good or acceptable rating in the updated moderate overlap front test is needed for the “plus.”
Both the mild hybrid (B5, B6) and plug-in hybrid (T8) versions of the XC90 meet the latest IIHS criteria and received the highest rating of good in the updated side test.
New XC90 models continue to offer consumers the highest levels of vehicular safety. Well done Volvo!
“At Volvo Cars, we always put safety at the center of everything we do. The Volvo XC90 continues to prove, year after year, that it is among the safest cars on the road,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “While we always design our cars to be safe in the real world and not only to excel in safety ratings, this result underscores the strong safety credentials of our XC90.”
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Current XC90 safety tech includes using radar and a front camera so the XC90 can detect if you’ve drifted into the oncoming lane and steer you safely back into your own lane to avoid the risk of a collision. The system also helps you avoid inadvertently running off the road. And it can use braking and steering to help avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals (like a moose!).
The new XC90 is also equipped with a suite of standard safety features including front crash prevention, Automatic Emergency Braking, Volvo’s patented Side Impact Protection System, Whiplash Protection System, and Run Off-Road protection.
The XC90 also features Volvo’s “Safe Space Technology” which includes: front and rear Collision Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist; Door Open Alert; and Driver Awareness – a standard safety feature helps warn of bicycles to avoid so-called “dooring” accidents by alerting you when you are about to open your door in front of a motorcycle/scooter, a cyclist, or a pedestrian/jogger.
As you would expect in any Volvo vehicle, loads of additional active and passive safety tech is standard or available on the new XC90.
2025/2025.5 XC90 Trims and Pricing
The Volvo XC90 comes in Core, Plus, and Ultra trims, all with B5 Mild Hybrid gasoline engines:
- Core – $58,695
- Plus – $61,995
- Ultra – $67,595
Add $3,800 to each 2025 trim level for the more powerful B6 Mild Hybrid engine.
During the XC90 media event, we drove 2025.5 Plug-in Hybrid variants, dubbed XC90 T8. The T8 starts at $71,900.
A $1,295 Destination charge applies to all trim levels.
For those who wish to lease their XC90, the “Care by Volvo” subscription packages are available via the volvocars.com website.
Pursuitist automotive and lifestyle contributor Brian Armstead has been involved in print, radio, web and television for over 48 years. Brian has traveled to 80 countries. He is a North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year (NACTOY) Juror.