2023 (23) Volvo XC90 2.0 B5P [250] Plus Dark 5dr AWD Geartronic

This improved version of the second generation Volvo XC90 aims to make the most of its sleek Swedish design values. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Volvo's second generation XC90 is a seven-seat luxury SUV that has given key rivals like Audi's Q7 and the Land Rover Discovery a lot to think about. Safe, efficient, clever, practical and stylish, it has re-established this Swedish maker as a credibly prestigious automotive brand. This significantly revised version offers slightly smarter styling and a more up-to-date cabin. It's well worth a look.

Background

The Volvo XC90 is just about the perfect example of a vehicle that created a niche for itself that no rival could seem to penetrate. If you wanted a 7-seat luxury SUV that was never really a sports utility vehicle, that was supremely comfortable and, above all, was neither shouty like a German nor trying too hard to fit in with the country set like a Land Rover, it was plum perfect. Nothing even got close. Because of this, the first generation XC90 hung around for ages. After all, why mess with a winning formula? Later versions, sold right up to 2014, tidied up the basic formula but were otherwise much the same as the models that first rolled into dealers in 2002. That's one heck of an innings. At least though, it paved the way for something different. There was no way that the second generation XC90, which originally arrived in 2015, would be a mere 'evolutionary' design. Even so, few were ready for quite the radical change Volvo's Chinese owners Zhejiang Geely eventually funded. This was a very different car - and was further usefully updated in 2019, before a further update package arrived in Autumn 2024 to create the model we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

There are no engineering changes for this updated XC90, which means a continuing 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol-only choice of mild hybrid or Plug-in hybrid power, with AWD and 8-speed auto transmission standard-fit. Most mainstream XC90 customers will continue to opt for the entry-level B5 unit, which is turbocharged and offers 247bhp and 360Nm of torque - enough for 62mph in 7.7s. As before, the alternative is the T8 Plug-in hybrid, which is turbocharged and supercharged and delivers a combined 455hp output, with a thumping 709Nm of torque. 62mph from rest is dispatched in just 5.4s, yet this car can also give you up to 44.1 miles of EAER-rated pure electric driving range when fully charged. There are no changes to handling dynamics: on the road, the XC90 should still feel class-competitive, with its neat balance between comfort and agility. It can't match a Cayenne or an X5 across twistier tarmac, but then you wouldn't expect it to. Grip and traction are pretty good, provided differently according to powertrain choice. Avoid base trim and your XC90 will come with the brand's 'Active Four-C Chassis' package, which gives you four-corner adaptive dampers and electronic air suspension. Helped by Volvo's light, stiff 'Scalable Product Architecture' (SPA) platform, handling strikes a good balance between comfort and agility; cruising refinement meets the required executive standard; and there's the potential for a mild amount of off road prowess. A standard 'Pilot Assist' system offers a degree of highway-orientated autonomous driving technology. And you might be interested to know that conventional variants can tow up to 2,700kgs.

Design and Build

If you're familiar with this second generation XC90 design, you'll immediately spot the revised front end of this updated model, which features a smarter grille flanked by redesigned 'Thor's hammer' LED headlights. In addition, there's a more sculpted bonnet, revised front wings and a cleaner, simpler lower front bumper. There are smarter wheel designs too (sizes between 20 and 22-inches), plus darkened rear tail lights and a fresh look for the charging port. Inside, the biggest change you'll notice will be the more horizontal design to a totally redesigned dash which now incorporates a new central touchscreen. This has grown from 9 to 11.2-inches in size, is more responsive, higher-resolution and borrows its Google software from the system used in the EX90, enabling over-the-air updates. There's an easier-to-access screen operating system too. In addition, the centre console has been redesigned and now features a '2+1' cup holder (with room for an extra slim drinks can), plus there's a new wireless smartphone charger which is more conveniently accessible. The ambient lighting system and 360-degree camera system have both been enhanced, but the 12.3-inch digital driver's display remains as before. As before, this genuine seven seater features innovatively designed seats that also free up interior space for passengers in both the second and third seat rows. Even the third row can seat an adult up to 170cm tall. As for the boot space on offer, well that's inevitably going to be a little restricted with all seven seats in place, though even in this configuration, you still get 302-litres of luggage space. Fold the 3rd row and you can load up to 680-litres - or 1,102-litres, if you pack to the roof. Those figures are for the B5 model. For the PHEV T8, the figures are 262-litres and 640-litres to the windowline with the 3rd row folded.

Market and Model

All XC90 variants still come with 7 seats, automatic transmission and AWD and prices start from around £64,000 for the 250hp mild hybrid B5 petrol model. There's a choice of three core trim levels - 'Core', 'Plus' and 'Ultra'. Many UK buyers will want the Recharge T8 petrol/electric Plug-in hybrid variant, offered with all three trim levels and priced from around £73,000. Standard kit across the range includes Matrix LED headlamps, a heated windscreen and an anti-theft alarm. Inside all XC90s, the tablet-like 11.2-inch touchscreen in the centre console drives the minor controls and a whole host of Internet-based products and services. And there's a 12.3-inch 'Progressive Drivers Display' for the instruments. Plus heat for the front seats and steering wheel and a rear view camera. Many customers will choose mid-range 'Plus' trim, which includes the brand's 'Active Four-C Chassis' (adaptive damping and air suspension); plus a panoramic glass roof, a 360-degree camera system and a 13-speaker 600-watt Harmon Kardon sound system. Top 'Ultra'-spec gets you larger 21-inch wheels, a Head-up display, front seat massaging, nappa leather perforated upholstery, integrated rear side blinds and an 18-speaker 1,400-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Across the range, XC90 safety gear includes a run off-road protection package which tightens seatbelts and activates energy-absorbing technology in the seats when the car detects challenging terrain ahead. Another system is the auto-braking feature, which cuts in if a driver pulls out in front of oncoming traffic.

Cost of Ownership

Volvo claims that the advanced kinetic energy-recovery braking system introduced with this revised XC90 offers drivers up to 15 per cent fuel savings and emission reductions in real-world driving. This brake-by-wire system interacts with the energy-recovery system and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by recovering kinetic energy under braking. On to the figures, all of which we'll quote to WLTP standards. In the mild hybrid B5 petrol, expect up to 32.8mpg and up to 193g/km. If you want to do better, you'll need to look at the top T8 Recharge petrol plug-in hybrid model, which delivers up to 30g/km of CO2, 235.1mpg and up to 44.1 EAER-rated miles of pure electric driving range. Maintenance should be relatively affordable for a car of this kind, with intervals every year or 18,000 miles. Three or five year pre-paid servicing packages are available to help you budget ahead. The warranty is the usual three year, 60,000 mile package.

Summary

Volvo seems to be continually flourishing under foreign ownership. You might have expected Chinese control to stifle the company's Scandinavian character. Instead, what we've been given here with this updated XC90 is a return to Swedish charisma and an emphasis on all the things that the Gothenburg brand does best - cool restrained style, real-world practicality and class-leading safety. Of course, this Volvo's not perfect. There are still sharper-handling choices and more capable off roaders in this sector. In balancing these virtues though, this XC90 sets its own class standard and in doing so, establishes a family benchmark amongst luxury SUVs that rivals will struggle to match. Company founders Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson would have liked this car. More importantly though, if you're shopping in this segment, we think you will too.