2017 Volvo XC90 Review

Standard equipment on the Momentum includes 18-inch alloy wheels, adjustable drive modes, LED head- and foglights, automatic high beams, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, a hands-free power tailgate, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, keyless entry and ignition, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery, eight-way power front seats (with power lumbar), driver memory settings, 40/20/40-split second-row seats (with individual slide and recline functions), a 50/50-split third-row seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Technology features include a 9-inch central touchscreen, a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, smartphone app integration, and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input jack and a USB port.

T6 and T8 Momentum models get 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, third-row seating and four-zone automatic climate control. T8 Momentum models also receive LED adaptive headlights, added interior illumination and power thigh support for the front seats.

The R-Design trim level features 20-inch alloy wheels, unique grille and exterior accents, a sport steering wheel with shift paddles, upgraded sport seats (with power thigh support), Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, leather upholstery, illuminated step plates, aluminum mesh cabin accents and the lighting upgrades from the T8 Momentum.

The XC90 Inscription (available on T6 and T8) is similar to the R-Design but features its own wheels and interior and exterior trim. It also has upgraded leather upholstery, heated front seats, ventilated front seats with adjustable side bolsters, and rear side window shades.

Available only on the T8, the Excellence trim level turns the XC90 into a four-seat luxury limousine. In place of the rear bench seat, the Excellence adds two captain’s chairs with footrests, a rear center console with folding trays, a touchscreen controller, heated and cooled cupholders and two crystal glasses. All four seats in the Excellence come standard with ventilation, heat and massage functions. Additional upgrades include bright exterior trim, 21-inch wheels, extended leather upholstery, additional sound deadening and a refrigerator.

Options for the XC90 are mainly grouped into packages. The Momentum Plus package includes the adaptive headlights, illuminated step plates, added interior illumination and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. The Vision package features power-folding and auto-dimming side mirrors, a surround-view parking camera system, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Climate package includes a heated windshield and heated windshield washer nozzles and front- and second-row seats. It also adds a heated steering wheel for Momentum and Inscription models.

You can pick the Convenience package to add front parking sensors, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving mode, automated parking assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and, in the cargo area, a grocery bag holder and a 12-volt power outlet.

The Luxury package (Inscription only) adds a suede headliner, leather grab handles and sun visors, and a massaging function to the fronts seats.

Individual option highlights (depending on trim level) include 20-, 21- or 22-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension (with adaptive dampers), a head-up display, a built-in second-row child booster seat, and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system.

The 2017 Volvo XC90 T5 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 250 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. It is available with front- or all-wheel drive and, like all XC90s, is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Volvo estimates that it will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds in FWD form and 7.9 seconds with AWD. Both times are below average for an all-wheel-drive three-row luxury crossover.

EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at 24 mpg combined (22 city/26 highway), while AWD models ring in slightly lower at 23 mpg combined (22/25).

The Volvo XC90 T6 comes with an innovative 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive comes standard. Although Volvo claims the T6 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, its performance at Edmunds’ test track was a significantly more sluggish 7.4 seconds.

EPA-estimated fuel economy checks in at an impressive 22 mpg combined (20 city/25 highway). In our real-world testing, however, the XC90 struggled to match those estimates.

The XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid utilizes the same engine as the standard XC90 T6 along with an 87-hp electric motor. Total output is 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. Volvo says the XC90 plug-in hybrid, with both power sources in play, will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. (We measured 5.5 seconds in our testing.) With a 240-volt charging station, fully recharging the pack takes only about 2.5 hours. Charging from a standard 120-volt wall outlet extends that time to about seven hours. The EPA estimates pure-electric range at 14 miles and 25 mpg combined when operating in standard hybrid mode.