Approaching the decade mark, the second-generation Volvo XC90 may be getting a little long in the tooth. However, the range-topping crossover gets a ‘2025.5’ model year inside-out refresh (not to be confused with the 2025 released last year) that’s certifiably beautiful, helping cement the vehicle’s flagship status.
“Here you see some of the features with the XC90—some of my favorites with this car are the new grille and also the new exterior color. It's called Mulberry,” says Thea Burlin, Volvo Cars Color and Materials Designer, during a recent product briefing and media drive event in Scandinavia. “For the interior, my favorite part is the new Herringbone Weave, which is [found on the] Premium Textile seat.”
From far away, the SUV still embodies the brand’s classic silhouette but move closer, and the subtle aesthetic improvements quickly become evident. The LED headlamps take on a more streamlined shape, barely larger than the integrated Thor’s Hammer signature daytime running lights. They flank the flush grille referenced by Burlin, housing unique polished asymmetrical diagonal slats that help the front end stand out on the road. Below, the restyled bumper swaps out the horizontal side air intake for vertical units, and the lower intake is quite a bit wider.
Elsewhere, the taillights are slightly darker than before, with fresh wheel designs up to 22 inches. The aforementioned cab-sauv-like Mulberry paint is stunning, though the T8-powered press vehicles we drove sprayed in the earth-toned Bright Dusk looked great as well against the dark blue backdrop of the resund strait.
Venture inside, and the bigger 11.2-inch infotainment portrait display, now freestanding rather than inset into the dashboard, immediately pops out. Vertical air vent blades complement the upright visual elements of the exterior. Boasting a higher resolution and shared interface with the EX lineup of electrified SUVs, the Google built-in software is updatable over the air and is loaded with native apps. Apple CarPlay is supported for those who prefer the iOS user experience.
The trademark Orrefors crystal gear knob is standard equipment installed on an upgraded center console, allowing additional adjacent space for (2+1) drink containers and more convenient placement of the wireless phone charging pad underneath the screen.
A heavy emphasis is placed on using sustainably sourced materials throughout the cabin, from the untreated wood trim to the Nordico synthetic leather made using recycled PET bottles and cork. The dash is upholstered with a fine fabric reminiscent of what might be seen on a nice European coat. The speakers on the available Bowers & Wilkens audio system wear new delicate alloy mesh covers, and the stereo can be configured to sound like a recording studio, intimate stage, Gothenburg Concert Hall, or jazz club, depending on mood and music choice.
Crystal clear concert hall tunes provided the perfect soundtrack to our coastal cruise between Copenhagen, Denmark, and the southern part of Sweden. The enhanced suspension sporting Volvo Frequency Selective Damping technology—capable of scanning the driving surface up to 500 times a second to match stiffness to current conditions automatically—wasn’t worked very hard on the smooth pavement we glided over, but still yielded a composed, comfortable ride even on the curviest of sections.
The powertrain offerings remain the same. The T8 plug-in utilizes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, electric motor, and 14.7-kilowatt hour battery pack good for 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, and a combined travel range of 800-plus kilometers (or approximately 70 in zero emissions mode). Whisper quiet at start-up, and even highway motoring is pretty serene thanks to acoustic foam-filled pillars and other improved sound insulation found elsewhere.
A fully gas-powered B6 is available, propelled by a 2.0-litre turbo-and-supercharged inline-four mild hybrid setup making 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both models are all-wheel drive and mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions.
Deliveries of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 are expected to begin sometime this first quarter, with prices TBA.
Highlights (T8):
MSRP: $TBA
Motor: 2.0-litre Turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motor
Horsepower: 455 (net)
Torque (lb-ft): 523 (net)
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Layout: Front-engine, All-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 8.9 L/100 km mixed city/highway (manufacturer estimate)
