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For the past ten years, the Volvo XC90 has been recognized as one of the safest, most stylish, and best-equipped vehicles in the fiercely competitive luxury SUV market. While many German competitors have undergone multiple redesigns, Volvo has traditionally opted for incremental updates. However, the enhancements for the 2025 Volvo XC90 are significant, even if they may not be immediately obvious.
On Wednesday morning, Volvo unveiled its latest hybrid flagship, reaffirming its commitment to offering hybrid SUVs alongside its upcoming electric models. Both the XC90 and its electric sibling, the EX90, will start reaching buyers by early 2025, with a starting price of $59,745 for the base model—just under $2,000 more than its predecessor.
The exterior design marks the most prominent change, giving the XC90 a resemblance to the EX90. The new appearance is characterized by smoother, more rounded contours that exude a modern, “digital” aesthetic without entirely adopting an electric vehicle design. It maintains the distinguished presence the XC90 is known for, especially in darker hues. A key highlight is the revamped Thor’s Hammer headlights, which are now slimmer and more clearly defined.
Additionally, the front end has been redesigned, featuring a new grille that serves as the centerpiece of the SUV’s face. Unlike its predecessor, which had uniform vertical slats, the new grille sports slanted blinds on either side, forming a V shape around the Volvo emblem. This artistic touch is visually appealing in person. Moving to the driver’s side, the elongated PHEV charging door replaces the previous round design. The wheels are also redesigned, accompanied by updated taillights that feature a new light signature.
Renowned for its comfortable and safe interiors, the 2025 model carries on this tradition, although a closer inspection reveals notable upgrades. The dashboard is taller and wider, while the 11.2-inch infotainment touchscreen now appears to float rather than being embedded in the dash. The transmission tunnel has been redesigned to improve storage organization, and more soft-touch materials have been incorporated throughout the cabin.
For the U.S. market, the new XC90 will offer six- or seven-passenger seating options, with both first and second rows featuring heating. Unfortunately, only the front seats include ventilation, which is a missed opportunity compared to competitors that provide third-row heating as well. Additional subtle but significant updates include a new air-purification system, laminated windows, and acoustic foam-filled A and B pillars to minimize road noise.
Launching with the XC90 is Volvo’s latest operating system, branded as the “new-generation user experience.” Developed with Google, this system aims to streamline navigation through the vehicle’s features, focusing on simplifying user interactions. Moreover, the display boasts a 21% increase in pixel density for enhanced clarity. While this system will debut with the EX90, EX30, and new XC90, existing Volvo owners with models from 2020 onwards will receive a free over-the-air update in 2025.
The 2025 XC90 will present three powertrain choices: B5, B6, and T8, with all trims featuring all-wheel drive as standard. The B5 configuration utilizes a hybrid four-cylinder engine that generates 247 horsepower. The B6 variant combines turbocharging and supercharging, producing 295 horsepower. Finally, the T8 plug-in hybrid maintains the turbocharged inline-four but adds e-boost, allowing up to 32 miles of pure electric operation.
These updates represent a substantial refinement to the XC90, enhancing the already impressive driving experience. Volvo aims to market this hybrid SUV alongside its electric models for years to come, noting in its press release that these fundamental enhancements will keep the vehicle competitive well into the future.
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