The XC90 is Volvo’s full-size SUV. As a nameplate, it faces fierce competition against the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, and GMC Yukon, to name a few. Volvo has been a brand known for its safety, reliability, and understated luxury. These hallmarks are precisely what makes the XC90 worth considering.
Throughout its short two-decade history, the Swedish company has made two Volvo XC90 generations with several facelifts. We’ll discuss three models that have stood out and why you might want to consider them for your next vehicle.
A New Player Has Joined: 2002 XC90 (First Generation)
The Volvo XC90 was released in 2002 when many car manufacturers were also releasing first-generation full-size SUVs. These include the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLS. When it was released at the Detroit Motor Show, the XC90 received good reviews and won numerous awards like SUV of the Year from MotorTrend. Unlike other car manufacturers, Volvo also prioritized safety in true Volvo fashion.
The XC90 didn’t present itself as sporty or luxurious, even though it was. Volvo’s design was rugged but refined.
Aside from its unique styling, the XC90’s main selling point was the fact that it drove like a regular sedan, rather than a heavy full-size SUV. It also boasted intelligent engineering and family-focused practicality with its flat cargo floor behind the front seats, plus good fuel economy. The XC90 was so successful that the model line continues today and this initial model proved that people were interested in its characteristics.
- Engine: 3.2-Liter Inline Six
- Weight: 4526 lbs
- Power: 238hp
- Torque: 320 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 8.9 seconds
A Massive Investment: 2014 XC90 (Second-Generation)
This second-generation XC90 came after 12 years and only one facelift. This update was a long time coming since the first generation was generally left unchanged.
This overhaul was built on a new platform. Volvo invested $11 billion in the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which allowed their vehicles to be lighter, safer, and more efficient overall. This generation represented a complete overhaul, a departure from the long-running first generation.
The second-generation XC90 retained a similar shape. Its front was drastically modernized, featuring sharp-looking LED headlights. On its rear, it retained the vertical tail lights which made the XC90 unique.
Under the hood, this new generation was also completely different. Unlike the first generation which had engine technology and parts from Ford, Volvo, and Yamaha, the new generation was completely from Volvo. It had a new 2-liter turbocharged engine with hybrid offerings. The plug-in hybrid model in particular could make 400 hp while being incredibly efficient at 94 mpg.
- Engine: 2.0L T6 8AT AWD
- Weight: 4464 – 5124 lbs
- Power: 320 HP @ 5700 RPM
- Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2200-4500 RPM0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds
More Than a Facelift: 2019 Volvo XC90
After four years, the Volvo XC90 got a mid-cycle facelift, which changed the model’s looks and retained most of its powertrain options.
The second-generation Volvo comes in three trims with different engines: a T5, a T6, and a hybrid T8. The Volvo XC90 engines vary depending on the trim. T5 has a capable turbocharged engine with 250 hp. Then, the T6 has supercharging, which results in 316 hp. The T6 also gets all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the T8 hybrid model has the T6’s supercharged engine combined with two electric motors and a charging port. Like any hybrid, the XC90 has rapid acceleration. The plug-in version can even provide 17 miles of EV-only range. It requires three hours to charge from empty using a 240-volt outlet.
According to automotive reviews, the T6 model is the one to get because of its all-wheel drive. In terms of options, Nappa leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable seats, and gorgeous walnut open-pore wood trim make the interior experience exceptional.
- Engine: 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder
- Weight: 4,394 lbs
- Power: 316 @ 5700 rpm
- Torque: 295 @ 2200 rpm
- 0-60 mph: 6.1 seconds
Futuristic Understated Luxury: 2025 Volvo XC90 Hybrid
In 2025, the XC90 has another facelift that is evolutionary rather than revolutionary. For example, the 2025 has an updated front fascia with redesigned LED headlights with Volvo’s signature “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights.
The lower front bumper and grille are also new, giving the 2025 model a slightly more modern and potentially sportier look.
The latest 2025 XC90 also comes in a hybrid model that combines its 2.0-liter twin-turbo inline 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, creating an astonishing 455 hp, the most horsepower in an XC90. Compared to the third-generation XC90, which has been in production since 2019, the 2025 model features revised front-end styling, a redesigned dashboard, and updated interior materials, among other quality-of-life improvements.
Despite being six years old, this generation hasn’t aged a bit. Volvo’s understated Scandinavian styling ages more gracefully compared to other car brands.
The XC90 doesn’t strive to be innovative, it just does a good job of being a luxury full-size SUV. Aside from safety, which Volvo always excels in, the newest XC90 also offers advanced automatic systems like automatic emergency braking, and pilot assist, which is the brand’s autonomous driving system.
- Engine: 310-lb-ft turbo direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4 plus 145-hp/107-lb-ft rear electric motor (T8 trim)
- Weight: 4,550–5,050 lb
- Power: 455 hp
- Torque: 523 lb-ft0-60 mph: 5.1-7.3 sec (estimated)
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