On the hunt for a 3-row luxury SUV that blends old-school safety, swoon-worthy design, and enough tech to run a small city? The 2025 Volvo XC90 delivers all that—plus effortless driving manners, family–ready comfort, and a distinctly Scandinavian vibe that sets it apart from the German crowd. This year’s refresh brings fresh tech, subtle design touches, and a commitment to green powertrains. Let’s explore what keeps the XC90 at the top of its class and why it’s still making waves against fierce competition.
Signature Swedish Style
Step up to the 2025 XC90 and you’ll notice immediately: this is an SUV that radiates understated cool. For 2025, Volvo pours extra attention into details—a sharper grille (inspired by their all-electric EX90), new LED matrix headlights with signature “Thor’s Hammer” graphics, fresh alloy wheels up to 22 inches, and choice of rich new colors. The clean lines, vertical taillights, and floating roof design haven’t aged a day, giving the XC90 a balanced, modern, yet timeless presence.
Inside, it’s all about soft-touch materials, real open-pore wood, contrast stitching, and a focus on sustainability—choose from quilted Nordico synthetic, classic Nappa leather, or even a unique herringbone textile trim. The cabin is airy, uncluttered, and built to soothe, with a panoramic roof flooding the interior in natural light.
Powertrain Options for Every Driver
Volvo keeps things versatile under the hood with three main setups:
- B5 Mild Hybrid
- 2.0L turbocharged inline-4
- 247hp, smooth 8-speed automatic, AWD
- Returns a solid 23–26mpg combined for daily efficiency
- B6 Mild Hybrid
- Adds a supercharger for 295hp and more punch, without big fuel penalties
- T8 Plug-in Hybrid (Recharge)
- 2.0L turbo + electric motor
- Massive 455hp and 523lb-ft torque
- Up to 33 miles pure EV range before the engine joins in
- 0–60mph as quick as 5 seconds—Tesla-like surges, but without range anxiety
No matter which you pick, the XC90’s ride is serene and planted. Opt for the air-suspension upgrade: it soaks up rough roads, provides up to 8.8 inches of ground clearance for snow days or trail runs, and even lets you lower the SUV for easy luggage loading.
Family-First Comfort and Practicality
The XC90 seats six or seven, depending on configuration—perfect for big families or loading up friends for a night out. The front seats offer heating, cooling, massage, and memory; the second row slides and reclines for max comfort; the third is best for kids or occasional guests. With all seats up, there’s room for a Costco haul; flatten the second and third rows for up to 85.7cu.ft. of cargo space—bike, stroller, skis? No sweat.
Subtle perks abound: four-zone climate control, available Bowers & Wilkins audio with 19 speakers (hello, concert hall), and enough USB and wireless charging points to keep everyone powered up.
Tech: Easy, Slick, and Google-Infused
The new 11.2-inch center touchscreen is front-and-center, floating above minimalist controls. Volvo now runs an updated Google-based OS—so you’ll get built-in Maps, Assistant, Play Store, plus Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and voice commands that actually work. Navigation and live traffic updates are crisp and lag-free. Digital climate and driver info screens (12.3 inches) are snappy and customizable, putting key info—speed, nav, range—right at your fingertips. The Ultra trim even offers a head-up display.
Remote start, cabin pre-conditioning, and real-time status all sync through the Volvo Cars app for next-level convenience.
Legendary Safety, Still 1
No one does safety quite like Volvo. All 2025 XC90s come loaded with:
- Automatic emergency braking (even sees large animals in the road!)
- Pilot Assist (semi-autonomous highway driving)
- Adaptive cruise with lane-centering
- Blind Spot with active steer assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert and a stunning 360-degree camera
- Seven airbags, tensioned seat belts, and Volvo’s unique whiplash protection
Euro NCAP and other testers continue to give the XC90 top five-star ratings, and Volvo’s advanced collision mitigation systems get smarter every year.
Pricing, Warranty, and Running Costs
The 2025 Volvo XC90 starts just under $60,000 for the B5 Core AWD, with the punchier B6 and plug-in T8s climbing to around $75,000–$90,000 fully loaded. Every XC90 includes a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty (including roadside assistance), and maintenance costs remain reasonable for a luxury SUV. Towing tops out at 5,000lbs—enough for boats or campers.
How the XC90 Stacks Up (Should You Buy It?)
Rivals like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80 all make strong cases. The X5 and GLE deliver more power and sportier handling; Audi’s Q7 has a slightly roomier third row. But none match the XC90’s combination of minimalist style, green powertrains, and standout safety. Plus, there’s an exclusivity in the XC90’s Scandinavian luxury that makes it feel extra special in the carpool lane and beyond.
Final Word: Why You’ll Love the XC90
If you want a luxury family SUV that quietly turns heads, pampers you and your crew, and keeps innovation (and safety) center stage, the 2025 Volvo XC90 deserves a prime spot on your shopping list. It’s smart, refined, and ready for whatever your modern life demands.
All specs and features current as of July 2025. Availability and pricing may vary by region.