2025 Volvo XC90 Assessment: Refreshed Swedish SUV

While just a mid-cycle update, the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 gets some quality updates. But more importantly, it keeps so much of what makes it a Volvo. As a Volvo spokesperson told me, think of the latest XC90 as an “old friend who keeps getting better.”

Volvo’s flagship debuted all the way back in 2002. The second generation, which the 2025.5 is an iteration of, came out in 2015. This vehicle is no spring chicken, but sales continue to be strong.

I flew halfway around the globe to spend a few days driving the latest XC90 in order to bring you first-hand experience impressions of this Swedish luxury SUV. While much of the experience was cold, windy, and wet, I was always very comfortable inside both the B5 and T8 versions of the XC90 that I experienced.

In Short: The XC90 has chiseled out its own place in the market and this latest refresh just makes it better. While I’m not a fan of the base mild-hybrid powertrain or standard suspension, the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 eAWD plug-in hybrid with air suspension is a three-row luxury SUV worthy of consideration.

2025 Volvo XC90 Review

This refreshed second generation XC90 three-row luxury SUV is just a nice vehicle to spend time in. The design is clean and the 2025.5 updates make a quality vehicle even better.

What’s New Outside?

Let’s dive right into what’s new. The most obvious updates are the new grille and lighting. These updates have also necessitated slight changes to the front air intakes, front bumper, hood, and front fenders.

The headlights are an updated, modern take on Volvo’s ‘Thor’s Hammer’ style lighting design that is slimmer and stretches all the way to the grille. The new headlights are a 15-segment matrix light technology that is said to give a “wide and long light pattern.” I found them to work quite well in the dreary gray fall weather I experienced in southern Sweden and northern Denmark.

While the rear of the vehicle doesn’t really change, the taillamps have been updated in technology and tinted.

New 20 to 22 inch wheels, three new designs, also elevate the modern look of this Scandinavian SUV.

There are both Dark and Bright exterior trim options on the latest XC90. The new color for 2025.5 is Mulberry red.

What’s New Inside?

A big update inside the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 is the 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, with Google built-in. While it looks a bit tacked onto the dash, instead of integrated into it, it is functionally very good. It is essentially the same as found in the latest EX30 and EX90 electric vehicles, which is a good thing.

There is a bar shaped button just below the touchscreen that will always bring you back to the home screen, which is a very handy feature. By hitting the bar button again the map gets bigger on the screen, which is also useful. Drive modes are also easily accessible on the home screen.

A new and improved surround camera system comes in very handy when navigating tight urban streets.

All XC90 models get a new recycled textile deco on the dash, just above new curved natural ash wood trim. Between these two new elements is an ambient lighting system that looks great, reflecting off the curved wood.

The front cupholder in the console now holds two large cups/bottles/cans and a skinny can (think Red Bull can) and is covered when not in use by an accordion style wood cover. It also has a vertical phone holder at the front. At the front of the console, beyond the cup holder and gear selector, is now a large wireless phone charging pad.

A new mid-grade ‘Nordico’ upholstery option looks like leather, but is made of recycled plastic and pine resin.

Same Same

The two other interior options carry over from 2024, a Napa leather or Textile. The leather option is the only option if you want ventilation and/or massage in your front seats. The Textile option only comes in a dark blue color with a large Herringbone pattern and is made of 100% recycled polyester. I love the Textile look and feel, but really wish it was offered with massage.

As before, the U.S. market gets the XC90 in B5, B6, and T8 versions, in three trim levels of each model — Core, Plus, and Ultra —, and in 7 and 6 seat configurations. All 2025.5 XC90 models are AWD, have a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine and a very smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. The B6 model gets an e-supercharger and the T8 model combines that turbo gas engine with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system.

The B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains come standard with Standard and Offroad drive modes, soft and firm steering modes, and mediocre performance (7.3 and 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, respectively).

The T8’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain on the other hand offers very competent performance with a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. With 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque on tap, this luxury SUV moves its 4,910 pound weight around the city and highway with ease. That power comes via an inline four-cylinder 2.0L turbo combined with a rear electric motor. It also offers 33 miles of all-electric range. The PHEV gets Hybrid, Pure, and Offroad drive modes and Auto/Hold/Charge battery usage modes.

All 2025.5 XC90 coming to the U.S. market get a panoramic (glass) roof. The dark tinting of the glass is good at reducing sun glare, while a power sunshade helps reduce the sun’s heating effects when outside air temps get high.

The optional top-of-the-line Bowers & Wilkens sound system is quite impressive. A great way to experience it fully is to use the demo app in the infotainment system, but it is only accessible while the vehicle is in park. The sound stage options and sound quality are top quality, as are the look and feel of the stainless steel speaker grills. The 1,410-watt audio system has 19 speakers and a unique tweeter in the center of the dash, which is both cool-looking and a bit distracting.

Updated Suspension

There are two suspensions on offer on the 2025.5 Volvo XC90.

The new base suspension is an FSD (frequency selective damping) setup with new softer springs, dampers, a thicker front anti-roll bar, and recalibrated software for the steering. Volvo says all of this allows the wheels to move more freely but keep the body more controlled. It says “each damper mechanically adapts its characteristics to current road conditions to optimize both comfort and stability, adding to a more confident and relaxed driving experience on all roads.” I’m not all that convinced, as I found the ride to be a bit sloppy and not all that comfortable.

On the flip side of the coin, the carry over from 2024 optional air suspension with active chassis technology I found to be great over a wide range of road conditions. Not only did it allow me to extract the most performance out of the XC90 but also cruise in comfort. This optional suspension is available across all models in the XC90 lineup, and an upgrade I highly recommend.

I have to note that I seem to be in the minority amongst automotive journalists when it comes to this opinion, as most that I trust don’t seem to think the air suspension is worth the extra cost over the base suspension, especially in its new form. So, my recommendation is to test drive both back-to-back at your local Volvo dealer and make up your own opinon.

2025.5 XC90: The Good

Now, let’s dive into what I found to be really good about the 2025 Volvo XC90, as it really is a compelling vehicle.

Even with the fitted winter tires, at times heavy rain, and some rough rural Swedish roads the XC90 had a very quiet cabin. Volvo added foam insulation to the A and B pillars and more insulation to the firewall for this latest update, and it is noticeable and appreciated.

Every touch point in the XC90 has been optimized for comfort. They are nearly all soft and textured. You want to touch things in the XC90. Even grab handles are covered in soft leather-like material that looks to be stitched on.

I love the new steering wheel design, as it’s comfortable in the hands and looks sharp. It also telescopes way back, which is great for tall people like myself that don’t want our shins against the dash. But, the steering wheel is just manually adjustable, not power adjustable like you might expect in a luxury vehicle in this category, and like the electric EX90 offers.

Besides the great new central touchscreen the XC90 also has a 12.3-inch driver display and optional head-up display (HUD). All these screens work well together, are high resolution, and have impressively clean graphics, although they can be a bit busy at times.

2025.5 XC90: The Could be Better

Now, we also have to dive into a few of the things that I found with the 2025 Volvo XC90 that didn’t impress.

First, none of the three available powertrain options gets impressive fuel economy, although none are horrible. All require premium fuel. The B5 gets 26 MPG, B6 23, and T8 27. While 33 miles of electric range with the T8 PHEV is very usable, it has been eclipsed by competitors and is something I thought might see improvement with this update.

How in 2025 does this luxury SUV not have wireless Apple CarPlay? It does have CarPlay, but you have to plug your phone in to enable it. I did hear whispers that wireless functionality might be coming by way of an over-the-air (OTA) update soon.

While not unexpected, the third row in this SUV is quite small. it’s perfectly acceptable for kids, but is a very tight fit for any average sized adults.

While minor, its a major oversight in my opinion. The sun visors don’t extend to offer full coverage of the side windows. This is a basic functionality thing that has been around forever, so is very odd that Volvo wouldn’t offer extending sun visors on the XC90.

2025.5 Volvo XC90 Review Wrap-up

While base model pricing starts just below $60k, a top-spec model easily climbs over $80k. And, the top spec PHEV with air suspension is the version I’d recommend considering.

The 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV with air suspension is just a really nice vehicle to live with. It’s quiet inside, offers comfortable seats, an intuitive and poweful infotainment, and is generally just a pleasant place to spend time in. It also has responsive driver controls, smooth suspension, and is super safe in all weather conditions. Top all that off with enough room to carry lots of gear and/or family/friends and you’ve got a pretty impressive package.

While the styling is a bit subdued and lacking in flair, it is cohesive and enjoyable inside and out. The 2025 XC90 is unlikely to turn heads and attract much attention but will please all the senses of its owner and passengers.

Before I leave you, I have to address the elephant in the room. While they look a lot alike and have very similar names, the XC90 and EX90 are quite different vehicles under the skin. Although, with the XC90’s 2025.5 refresh it does get many of the same features as its full-electric stable mate. The XC90 has window switches, which the EX90 does not — I know, crazy that is something we have to talk about! However, the XC90 is lacking the EX90’s Lidar and power adjustable steering wheel.