2025 Volvo XC90 review

2025 Volvo XC90 Review: 

The XC90 is a three-row luxury SUV, the largest vehicle made by Volvo, and offers a refined, minimalist aesthetic. Some changes were rolled out to 2025 Volvo XC90's midway through the model year. If those changes are important to you, be sure to look carefully at the model you're interested in. All of these changes are reflected on the 2026 XC90 too. 

The changes make a difference. The updated XC90s come with an 11.2-inch touchscreen and visual tweaks both inside and outside the SUV. The SUV also comes with excellent advanced driver aids, a comfortable ride, and sleek styling. You can get a roomier or more powerful SUV, but if you dig Volvo's styling, you should check out the XC90. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2025 Volvo XC90 have?

Connectivity

Wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard on the 2025 Volvo XC90, but wireless isn't available at all. The XC90's center console has two USB-C ports, allowing you to charge your device. You can also connect to the XC90's infotainment system using Bluetooth®. The standard 14-speaker Harman Kardon® sound system and the 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins® system, exclusive to the top-level Ultimate trim, are very good. 

Infotainment

An 11.2-inch touchscreen comes standard on the XC90. While that screen is new to some 2025 models, the software powering it feels dated. Load times are slower than in comparable new vehicles, though the graphics look crisp and clean. The voice command system is not all that impressive and does not work consistently. If you have an Apple device, you're better off using Siri® rather than the built-in voice control system. 

Driver-Assist Tech

Advanced driver aids are a highlight of the Volvo XC90. Adaptive cruise control works very well, with smooth transitions between accelerating and braking. It is one of the more satisfying systems available. Automated and emergency braking work as expected, and the alerts are helpful rather than panic-inducing. The lane-correcting tech may be overactive for some, but it does a good job of keeping you between the white lines. 

How comfortable is the 2025 Volvo XC90? 

Front Seating

The Volvo XC90's front seats are very comfortable and come with synthetic leather on the starting trim (Core). These seats are heated and power-adjustable. The seat heating works very well, though the cooling feature failed to impress. The massaging seats on upper trim levels are nifty, too. 

Rear Seating

The second-row seats are a bit stiffer than up front but still comfortable enough for long drives. The second row is heated on the Plus and Ultimate trims, and those trims also get a built-in booster seat. That feature is novel but not all that useful. The third row is cramped and not comfortable for adults, but it will do in a pinch. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

The XC90 is very good on the road, especially with the available air suspension. Even without the fancy suspension, the XC90 does a good job of soaking up bumps and imperfections on the road. The XC90's cabin is well insulated, too, which helps keep noise outside the vehicle, allowing for quiet conversations when you have a sleeping kiddo in the second row. 

Does the 2025 Volvo XC90 have good storage?

Cargo 

Cargo space is just OK if you're using all three rows. You get 10.6 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, which is not very much. If you aren't using all three rows, things improve substantially because the second and third row seats fold down flat. There's also a useful bit of cargo space underneath the cargo floor. 

Storage

The XC90's interior is very stylish, but it's not terribly practical. There are two small cupholders inside a small tray in the center console. In other words, this is not a Big Gulp-friendly vehicle. There is more storage space in the second and third rows, and the door pockets are just fine for water bottles and other sealed containers. 

How easy is the 2025 Volvo XC90 to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The XC90's seat cushions are right at thigh level for a 6-foot-tall driver, but shorter drivers and passengers should not have much trouble getting in and out easily. Car seat installation is a mixed bag. There are LATCH points on the available second-row captain's chairs, but not in the third row. Only the passenger-side third-row seat has overhead anchors, which limits the overall utility of the XC90. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

The good: Visibility is excellent out of the XC90, whether you're looking forward, to the side, or backward. And the infotainment and center console area of the SUV is very aesthetically pleasing. The bad: Far too much has to be done through the touchscreen. Feeling a little warm? That will take more than a couple taps on the touchscreen. A few knobs or buttons would go a long way toward making the XC90 easier to use. 

What’s the 2025 Volvo XC90 like to drive?

Driving

There are three available powertrains on the XC90: the B5, B6, and T8. The B5 base engine is not very powerful and is a bit sluggish in acceleration, but the B6 gets you more power. The T8 is a plug-in hybrid and is substantially more powerful than the other two options. Regardless of engine choice, the XC90 is very nice to drive. The brakes build confidence thanks to their responsiveness, and the XC90 handles well for a vehicle of its size. All-wheel drive is standard on the XC90. 

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The XC90 is a (relatively) fuel-efficient SUV that gets between an EPA-estimated 23 and 27 miles per gallon

depending on the engine you choose. The XC90 T8 is a plug-in hybrid with an EPA-estimated 32 miles of range on electricity alone. Competitors like the Audi Q7 net 21 mpg, which is worse but not by a huge margin.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates