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"The Swedish definition of prime luxury."
"The Swedish definition of prime luxury."
When you hear the name Volvo, you'll immediately think of the brand that is synonymous with safety. But after all, they are a luxury car manufacturer. And their first SUV, the XC90, is nothing short of that.
Trim Levels
Trim Levels
Trim levels and pricing applies to the 2021 model year Volvo XC90 as well as its sub-model, the XC90 Recharge.
MOMENTUM
MOMENTUM
MSRP $49,695
MSRP $49,695
R-Design
R-Design
MSRP $56,295
MSRP $56,295
Inscription
Inscription
MSRP $63,945
MSRP $63,945
Recharge Inscription
Recharge Inscription
MSRP $63,450
MSRP $63,450
Recharge R-Design
Recharge R-Design
MSRP $69,845
MSRP $69,845
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
The Volvo XC90 in my personal opinion redefines the phrase "subtle luxury". It's definitely far from polarizing (AHEM, LEXUS), and far from boring (Infiniti QX60). LED headlights are standard across the board, as well as automatic high beams and dynamic bending lights. The XC90's front end is entirely summed up in just one word... handsome.
Coming around to the side, the XC90 continues to be stately without being over the top. The XC90 is a three-row vehicle, as its 195-inch length should be enough proof. It also rides on a 117.5-inch long wheelbase, so there should be a good amount of interior space. 19" wheels are standard, but you can option one of two 20" wheels, and a massive 22" wheel as well. The XC90 can also be optioned with a full air suspension, for a cushier ride.
One odd thing I like about this generation of the XC90 is that it seemingly just modernized the old XC90. The taillights look merely similar to the outgoing model. Some may be upset that they ditched the split-tailgate, but I'm not all that bummed about it. Thank God Volvo didn't copy Audi and Mercedes, even on their hybridized models, as the XC90 has "2020 fake" exhaust tips rather than those disgusting really fake ones (AUDI... I'M TALKING TO YOU!!!!!). A hands-free power tailgate is standard on all XC90s, so you'll never have to drop your stuff or fumble around for a key in order to open the rear hatch.
Interior Design
Interior Design
Volvo has been on a recent push to become more luxurious to compete with its European rivals, and the interior of the XC90 definitely shows it.
The XC90 has an absolutely beautiful, timeless, and absolutely minimalistic interior. Everywhere you touch is soft, leather-padded, knurled, or real metal or wood. Absolutely nothing feels cheap in the interior of the XC90, even in the lower trim models.
In the second row, room is great despite having lower numbers than the competition. There's still plenty of leg room for my 6' 1" frame, and the seats recline and slide fore and aft, albeit manually.
As far as the third row is concerned, it's not as tight as you think it is. I'm okay in the back, as long as the seats are slid forward a little bit. But with the seats as far back as they can go, it's a bit tight. It can be summed up in six words. "USE ONLY FOR KIDS OR HATED IN-LAWS."
Trunk space is ample for the size of the XC90. At 12 cubic feet with all the seats up, it's not too spacious if you have to carry five or six kids and their sport bags. But folding the third row seats down manually will reveal 40-42 cubic feet of room, less than a Hyundai Kona in its most cavernous configuration (45.8 cubic feet). Folding the second row seats will uncover a total of 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space, just 0.7 cubic feet smaller than a Hyundai Palisade. Cargo room is adequate, but at least on the T8, Volvo did not stick the batteries under the rear seats nor did they toss it in the trunk; so it doesn't impact space.
Safety & Technology
Safety & Technology
I can't even stop at the safety of the XC90. Excellent across the board, best in class to sum it up.
The XC90 earns an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award for 2020 and 2021. It earns Good ratings in all crashworthiness tests, a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash prevention, an Advanced rating for the vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, as well as Acceptable-rated headlights standard across the board.
Volvo never stops with their safety nor never puts it on the back burner. If you're looking for the safest midsize luxury SUV on the market, the XC90 should be at the very top of your list.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions
My XC90 T6 Inscription car that I filmed was excellent to drive. For being only a four-cylinder, 316 horsepower is nothing to sneeze at. It was quick, aside from a tiny hit of turbo lag, but after that it was climbing speed rapidly, but, gracefully. The same can be said about its suspension. It was a little on the firmer side, but it rode very well, soaking up a lot of the road imperfections, and still remaining taught enough to be pleasantly chuckable through the corners. NVH was merely non-existent. There were some hints of tire noise, probably because my tester was wearing 21" wheels with 275mm wide, low-profile tires. Did I mention my tester did not have the optional air suspension? I also noted how remarkable the grip was when tasked with a situation that would've ended up in some tire slippage.
Performance
Performance
The XC90 has three different powertrains available. This is where it gets really odd and confusing. Each of their available powertrains share the same displacement, with varying outputs and various induction and propulsion systems. First comes the T5, which is a 250-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged I4 available in FWD and AWD. Second comes the engine most pick, the T6, which uses the same 2.0L I4 engine, but is also supercharged on top of the turbocharger to make a total of 316 horsepower (328 on premium gas). Finally, we have the T8 Recharge. This one has the kitchen sink and more. Again, its the same 2.0L engine. Turbocharged. Supercharged. Two electric motors. Combined 400 horsepower and 472 lb/ft of torque. Insane. The T8 engine is said to catapult the 5,000-pound rolling Swede to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, but Car and Driver had tested it and it reached 60 in an insane 4.9 seconds. Not to mention, the T8 Recharge has up to 18 miles of all-electric range from its 11.6-kWh battery pack. The T8 engine is really something of a very precise and complicated engineering process, and Volvo perfected a much overcomplicated engine. I expect the T6 to be the volume seller.
Performance Figures
Performance Figures
2.0L turbocharged and supercharged I4
Combined Horsepower (hp @ RPM)
316 @ 5700
316 @ 5700
Combined Torque (lb/ft @ RPM)
295 @ 2200-5400
295 @ 2200-5400
Transmission(s)
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy)
19/28
19/28
0-60 Time
6.4 seconds
6.4 seconds
1/4-mile (sec @ mph)
15.0 @ 94
15.0 @ 94
Final Verdict
Final Verdict
The XC90 is a very solid and well-built midsize luxury SUV with a lot for the money.
The XC90 is a very solid and well-built midsize luxury SUV with a lot for the money.
71/85 | Accumulated Score
71/85 | Accumulated Score
07 | Reliability
07 | Reliability
09 | Ergonomics
09 | Ergonomics
08 | Value
08 | Value
08 | Innovation
08 | Innovation
09 | Electronics
09 | Electronics
09 | Wow factor
09 | Wow factor
10 | Safety
10 | Safety
60/70 | Subtotal Score
60/70 | Subtotal Score
11/15 | Subjective Category
11/15 | Subjective Category
Media
Media
The review on the XC90 is being filmed this weekend. Stay tuned on our social media networks to be in the know of when it is going to be uploaded!
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