Volvo XC90
The 2026 Volvo XC90 gets a much-needed refresh, with exterior styling tweaks to the headlights and a brand-new touchscreen leading the changes. This is still an old SUV; it was last redesigned in 2016. But its elegant interior styling, useful technology, and available plug-in hybrid may make it the right luxury SUV for you.
Explore the evolution of the Volvo XC90
Get our expert take on used Volvo XC90 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a spacious three-row luxury SUV that offers many standard driver aids and an available plug-in hybrid model. This generation of the XC90 has been around for a whopping 10 years, a long time for a single generation of any vehicle.
Volvo has brought some updates to the XC90 over the years. Some 2025, and all 2026, XC90s got a larger touchscreen that controls the Google-based infotainment system first introduced for 2023 models. There have been tweaks to the available engines (and confusingly, to their names), but there are three choices: a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a slightly more powerful version of that engine, and a plug-in hybrid that in 2026 gets an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric-only range
.Volvo has made more driver aids standard features, including adaptive cruise control in 2018. These aids typically work as intended and make life as a driver easier.
Model highlights
12.3-inch touchscreen (introduced for some 2025 models)
Plug-in hybrid available with up to an EPA-estimated 32 miles of electric range
Impressive, classy interior design
Roomy second row
Third row may be cramped for some adults
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2016 - present
2026 Volvo XC90
Highlights
12.3-inch touchscreen now standard
Interior and exterior styling updates
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2025 Volvo XC90
Highlights
2025.5 update with tweaked exterior styling
Infotainment touchscreen grows to 11.2 inches and gets updated software for 2025.5
New rear suspension for 2025.5
More sound insulation for 2025.5
2025 model carried over unchanged before 2025.5 update
New trim level names
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2024 Volvo XC90
2023 Volvo XC90
Highlights
All-wheel drive became standard
Trim levels renamed
48-volt mild hybrid system added to engines
Engines changed names to B5 and B6
New Google-based infotainment system
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2022 Volvo XC90
Highlights
Navigation system now standard on all models
More powerful electric motor added to plug-in hybrid partway through year
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2021 Volvo XC90
Highlights
Blind-spot monitoring with steering assist and front parking sensors became standard
LED headlights and wireless phone charging made standard as well
Base trim name changes from Momentum to Inscription Expression
T8 plug-in hybrid now called Recharge
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2020 Volvo XC90
Highlights
Lightly refreshed exterior styling
Available second-row captain’s chairs for Momentum and Inscription models
Brake and suspension tuning revised for smoother operation
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2019 Volvo XC90
Highlights
Base AWD models added heated seats and four-zone automatic climate control
R-Design and Inscription models added Harman Kardon® audio
New Advanced and Multimedia packages
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2018 Volvo XC90
Highlights
Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts made standard
Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ also newly standard
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2017 Volvo XC90
2016 Volvo XC90
Highlights
First year of second-generation XC90
New look, new body structure
More efficient engine options than previous generation
More driver aids standard
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Volvo XC90 an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Volvo XC90 17th out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Volvo XC90 is $621, compared to an average of $642 for Luxury Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Volvo XC90 owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.7 times per year, compared to an average of 1.4 times for Luxury Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Volvo XC90, compared to an average of 13% for Luxury Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Kirk Bell has been an automotive journalist since 2001, doing stints at Motor Authority, MSN Autos, and Consumer Guide. He's currently a freelance journalist with an interest in luxury and performance cars.
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