The Volvo XC90 is the Swedish automaker ’s most important model of the 21st century . The first - generation XC90 was Volvo ’s first SUV , while the second - generation mannikin first shown in 2014 set a template for design and tech that Volvo is still observe . And while it ’s not a redesign , the 2025 Volvo XC90 will continue to play an important part .
Much like the category the 2025 XC90 will transport on countless route trip-up and school runs , Volvo hopes this update SUV will essay to be a reliable way to sail whatever the route ahead drop at it . Volvo plans to go all - electric eventually — and just introduced an EV counterpart to the XC90 in the physical body of the EX90 — but will go on relying on plug - in intercrossed powertrains to ease that transition .
“ We are not dogmatical about our 2030 ambitions , ” Volvo Cars CEO Jim Rowan say at the XC90 ’s reveal , refer to the automaker ’s ambition to end sales of combustion - railway locomotive vehicles by the end of the decennium . That could now get press back by a few years depend on market consideration , Rowan tell .
Plug - in hybrid extend some all - electric kitchen range for shorter drives , with the flexibility of a burning engine for long tripper , or for owner who may not have home charging sorted . That ’s as straight of the XC90 ’s nag - in powertrain today was it was when it was precede about a decade ago . But the rest of this three - row SUV require an update , so the 2025 Volvo XC90 get styling and tech updates to keep it fresh .
Small design updates
This is a refresh rather than a redesign . The XC90 is still based on the first - generation Scalable ware Architecture ( SPA ) as before , not the SPA2 version used for the all - electric EX90 , but with some exterior changes to keep it in wrinkle with the respite of Volvo ’s lineup . That ’s in keep with what Volvo discussed when it plunge the EX90 , the logical replacement for the XC90 should Volvo actually follow through with its stated goal of proceed all - electrical . Keeping the XC90 around during this transition period makes sense , but gift in a full redesign does n’t .
The most important changes are up front , where the XC90 gets a new grillwork with strange diagonal mesh and lean headlamp that retain Volvo ’s signature T - shape , mean to stand for Thor ’s power hammer . magniloquent perpendicular air inlet and an ovoid lower opening reframe the front end . Volvo claims the front fenders , hood , and charge port are young as well , but the differences are more elusive .
Inside , Volvo hold the previous XC90 ’s minimalist cabin blueprint and classy touch modality like an uncommitted Orrefors watch crystal shifter , while adding web speakers for the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio recording system similar to the EX90 . On the functional side , the center console was redesigned to leave easy memory access to the wireless phone battery charger and to provide an extra smaller cupholder for bum . In the U.S. , the XC90 will be usable with three rows and six or seven seating room .
Bigger touchscreen, new interface
The XC90 ’s portrait - orient touchscreen is one of its most distinctive features , and one that ’s been adopted by the rest of the Volvo lineup . But the carmaker is changing matter up , so the 2025 XC90 cause a new interface more in line with the all - electric EX90and EX30 .
The touch screen retain its portrait layout , but grows from 9.0 inches to 11.2 inch . The bigger screen also boasts high firmness and is now full capacitive . The layout follows the EX90 and EX30 , with two layers of shortcuts on the bottom of the video display for profligate access to important functions like clime control and audio apps . These icons can also change depend on context and the frequency with which sure apps are used .
As with other late Volvo models , the updated XC90 use an Android - base infotainment system with Google built - in features , including Google Maps and Google Assistant voice control . Volvo plans to makeApple CarPlaystandard as well ( the system also effectively matches the port ofAndroid Auto ) .
The auto maker will also offer the novel screen layout from the XC90 , EX90 , and EX30 to owners of exist carswith the Android - based documentary film systemas a free over - the - melodic line update . The update will roll out next year to what Volvo approximation are around 2.5 million cars built in 2020 and after .
Plug-in hybrid powertrain carries over
The plug - in hybrid powertrain , which was last update in 2022 , remained unchanged . A 2.0 - liter turbocharged four - cylinder railway locomotive and eight - speed automatonlike transmittance working with a single electric motor to farm 455 horsepower and 523 Irish punt - feet of torque . That will get the XC90 from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds , according to Volvo .
A atomic number 3 - ion shelling pack with 18.8 kilowatt - hours of gross capacity and 14.7kWh of usable capacity runs down the vehicle ’s spine in what would have been the transmission tunnel in a different era of Volvo . The 33 miles of galvanizing range and efficiency rating of 58 MPGe combined are unchanged from last class ’s model . A 3.7 - kilowatt AC onboard charger can reload an empty battery in about five hours , Volvo estimates .
In addition to the XC90 T8 plug - in hybrid , Volvo will continue to propose version without a armorial bearing port . The XC90 B5 uses a 2.0 - liter turbo - four scab at 247 H.P. and 266 pound sterling - understructure of torsion , while the B6 uses the same engine with an append supercharger , increasing output to 295 horsepower and 310 pound - feet . The B5 and B6 both sport balmy - hybrid systems , and adopt the Miller combustion cycle to further advance efficiency .
Volvo also made some hiatus change across the board , adopting double - wishing bone front temporary removal and new muffle applied science for increased ride comfort and adding an entire rearward link for greater stability and adhesive friction while towing . verbalize of which , the XC90 T8 plug - in cross has a maximal towing capacity of 5,291 pounds .
Continuing the journey
Volvo did n’t have specific pricing for plug - in hybrids available at press clock time . The automaker is currently quoting only a base cost of $ 59,745 , but that ’s improbable to use to secure - in hybrids , which started around $ 72,000 for 2024 models .
Sales begin later this year , with first legal transfer scheduled for the first poop of 2025 . Because of this , Volvo is actually calling the updated XC90 a “ 2025.5 ” modelling , and will continue selling the subsist XC90 for the first part of the 2025 model year .
“ I think we ’ve bugger off life in that ware , ” Rowan told Digital Trends , observe that Volvo ’s many firm customers are already sold on the current car . The limitation may be the new software feature Volvo is now campaign as a brand differentiator , which wo n’t be as readily applicable to the XC90 ’s older architecture . But the powertrain is really what ’s important .
wad - in hybrids like the XC90 T8 are being position as a backstop against slowing EV adoption . Assuming they ’re plugged in regularly ( Volvo does exact 48 % of the length drive by its plug - in hybrids globally is electric ) they can reduce emissions and get drivers acclimated to spirit with an EV . If EV sales continue growing , chew - in cross will be less relevant , but Volvo wo n’t be risking much with the strategical updates made here .
