See all New Car Reviews
Pros: classy nature, smart styling, brilliant interior, refined drive
Cons: average handling, pricey, small battery pack
Volvo XC90 Design
The second facelift of the Mk2 Volvo XC90 since it launched in 2015, this is a modest overhaul of the general shape and exterior look of the Swedish seven-seat SUV. The main changes are at the front, where the radiator grille now features a contrasting diagonal pattern, while the ‘Thor hammer’ daytime running lamps are no longer solid lights but merely have illuminated outlines. There’s a new red body colour on offer, as well as discreet changes to the bonnet and front wings, and finally a set of darkened taillamps to complete the look. Thankfully, time has not dimmed the Volvo’s superstar appeal, and it still has a lovely appearance in 2024.
Volvo XC90 Interior
The material finish, build quality and general interior space of the Volvo XC90 have all been retained, which is most definitely good news as this SUV has always been at the forefront of the market for these things and remains so into the mid-2020s. The main alteration is the adoption of a larger 11-inch (previously 9-inch) infotainment system, borrowed from the EX30 and EX90 electric vehicles (EVs) and running Google software. It’s a significant improvement on what went before, with a more intuitive layout of menus and clearer graphics, and it sits well alongside the Volvo’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, serving to give the XC90 a high-tech feel despite its advancing age.
Volvo XC90 Performance & Drive
There are three drivetrains globally for the Volvo XC90 2025 model year, which are the 250hp B5 mild hybrid, the 300hp B6 mild hybrid, and then the 455hp T8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The middle of these definitely won’t be offered here but we’re waiting to see if the B5 will join the Irish ranks. However, the T8 is the engine of choice, mainly because it bestows the apposite turn of pace on the XC90 as befits an SUV of this exalted, premium status.
Fully 310hp and 400Nm of the peak outputs of 455hp and 709Nm come from the super- and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with the rest provided by an electric motor which is powered by a 14.7kWh battery pack. That’s not huge by modern PHEV standards, resulting in a modest quoted zero-emission range of between 63 and 71 kilometres.
But if you can make that slightly compromised EV capability work for you, what you have with the XC90 T8 is a magnificent all-rounder. Despite weighing nearly 2.3 tonnes, those horsepower and torque figures ensure the Volvo SUV feels every bit as rapid as the claimed 5.4-second 0-100km/h time would have you believe, while the supercharger in the engine adds an extra layer of sonic appeal to the way the big Swedish machine accelerates towards its redline.
The Volvo can handle tidily and string together a sequence of corners in a commanding fashion, but it’s rarely ever entertaining. No matter; its real strength is its rolling refinement and superb ride comfort, and that continues with the new model. Even on craggier town roads and the largest alloys (22s on our test vehicle), the Volvo performs a fabulous job of hoodwinking its occupants into thinking that all the tarmac it is traversing has been recently resurfaced. It’s remarkably quiet, assured and comfy in all circumstances, and for a family seven-seat SUV, that’s about the perfect dynamic attribute for the XC90 to possess.
Volvo XC90 Pricing
With the B5 not confirmed for Ireland as yet – and maybe not making its return at all – then the Volvo XC90 now starts at €99,895 as an entry-spec Plus, or €106,995 as an Ultra. Not cheap, by any standards, but about comparable with similar plug-in hybrid luxury seven-seat SUVs of the same performance levels, and of course the beneficial running costs brought about by the 30-36g/km of CO2 emissions will help make a stronger financial case for the XC90 in the longer term.
Carzone Verdict
The Volvo XC90 Mk2 might have been around for almost ten years, but it shows no signs of slowing down in its dotage. It remains one of the most capable all-rounders of its type, with lots of strengths and precious few weaknesses save for its comparatively limited electric range. Powerful and smooth, beautifully built and furnished with an opulent cabin, there are few rivals which are better than the XC90.