The 2025 Volvo XC90 stands out with its three rows of seats, helpful technology features and a stylish cabin. The available plug-in hybrid powertrain provides a useful amount of all-electric range too. The XC90 might just be the easiest choice outside of something from Germany.Read full review
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the Senior News Editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.
Pros
Elegant interior styling
Helpful Google-based technology features
Available plug-in hybrid powertrain provides strong acceleration and high fuel economy
Cons
Some touchscreen controls can be hard to use
Third-row seats are tight for adults
What's new
New trim level names for 2025
Part of the second XC90 generation introduced for 2016
Overview
The 2025 XC90 is Volvo's venerable three-row SUV. This generation has been around in its current guise for eight years now, and it's getting a little long in the tooth. That said, it still puts on perfect display what Volvo does best. It features a wonderfully crafted interior, spacious seating in the first two rows, and plenty of standard driver assist features. It also offers an efficient plug-in hybrid. It allows you to drive a short distance using efficient electric power before switching over to its regular gas engine.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Volvo XC90 PHEV Insights
Trim:
XC90 T8 Core
All Electric Range
33 miles
EPA Estimated Electric Range
The XC90 will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Pullman, Washington. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Volvo recently unveiled the EX90, a three-row fully electric crossover SUV that now serves as the brand's flagship model. Volvo is a brand that is committed to offering more EVs. As such, it's possible the XC90 will carry on for a while until Volvo decides to put it out to pasture. Still, if you're interested in safety, comfort and Swedish luxury, the XC90 is a great option.
Competitors to consider
The Acura MDX is a good alternative to the XC90. It's less expensive and still comes well equipped with features. From Europe, the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE offer the newest technologies, more powerful engine options, and even more in the way of luxury features. The new Lexus TX is another compelling option and offers an available plug-in hybrid powertrain. To help you choose, check out our test team's XC90 Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.5
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Volvo XC90 stands out with its three rows of seats, helpful technology features and a stylish cabin. The available plug-in hybrid powertrain provides a useful amount of all-electric range too. The XC90 might just be the easiest choice outside of something from Germany.
How does the XC90 drive? The XC90 is a smooth operator on the road. We tested the plug-in hybrid T8 version. It's easy to drive sedately around town and accelerate quickly to highway speeds thanks to the powerful electric assist. At our test track, our test XC90 sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. That's about average for a three-row luxury SUV.
Emergency braking from 60 mph was a tad longer than the segment average, but the Volvo's low-grip all-season tires are mostly to blame for the longer distance. The brakes themselves are easy to modulate and make coming to a smooth, considered stop easy.
While you don't get anything more than average handling in the XC90, it's composed and sure-footed on the road thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. Its suspension also maintains excellent control of the XC90's considerable mass over most any type of road surface so you needn't shy away from a twisty, scenic back road.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the XC90? The XC90's ride quality is taut, and even small lumps and bumps in the road can be felt through the seat. Otherwise, the XC90 is pretty comfortable. Outside noise and errant vibrations are kept to a minimum, and the high-quality feel of the interior only adds to the XC90's credibility as a modern luxury SUV.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The XC90's interior is generally spacious, and visibility is excellent thanks to the big windows. Room is abundant in the first two rows, but it's best to leave the third row to people no larger than most toddlers. It's also easy to get in and out, and models with the air suspension can lower the ride height quickly as you walk up to the car or as you exit.
Our only gripe with the XC90's interior has always been that it isn't the easiest to use. A distinct lack of physical buttons means using the infotainment requires too much menu diving, and adjusting settings that are buried deep in the system is a chore that will almost certainly take attention away from the act of driving. We wish Volvo would embrace physical shortcut buttons to make navigating its infotainment easier.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $3,626 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $3,626 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the T8 Ultra trim.
2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid pricing in Pullman, WA
How’s the tech? Audiophiles will love the XC90's optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system. To our ears, it's one of the best audio systems available in a car right now. The XC90's infotainment interface, though distracting to use at times, is packed with features. Google integration means navigation is a cinch and Google's voice recognition is second to none. Apple CarPlay is also included.
Volvo's driver aids are top-notch. The adaptive cruise control is easy to engage, maintains consistent gaps, and is smooth to both speed up or slow down. The lane keeping system is also spot-on most of the time.
Storage
7/10
How’s the storage? The XC90's upright profile enables a spacious cargo area, especially with the second- and third-row seats folded flat. There is a rather high floor, but the XC90's optional air suspension can be used to lower the vehicle's ride height for easier loading. Under the cargo floor is a space for carrying plug-in charging cords and other small items, and there are backpack-size cubbies on either side as well. Small-item storage is limited in the front. The slim and graceful-looking center console has two cupholders alongside tiny trays. Volvo designed the cabin more for style than functionality.
When it comes to installing child safety seats, the second row has easily accessible car-seat anchor points. The dual third-row seats, however, have no anchor points for hooking in car seats. We also wish the doors opened at a wider angle to make maneuvering a car seat into place a little easier.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that standard XC90s with the base powertrain get 23-24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We tested the XC90 plug-in hybrid. According to the EPA, it can go 32 miles on battery power alone. That aligns almost perfectly with our test results. On our real-world test route, the XC90 Recharge went 31.5 miles on pure electric power. After the gas engine took over, the XC90 managed 28.1 mpg, which is comparable to the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg combined and a few mpg better than most other luxury hybrid SUVs.
Value
7.5/10
Is the XC90 a good value? The XC90 plug-in hybrid, which is what we tested, is a pricey machine. That said, we think you're getting your money's worth with the high-quality cabin materials, excellent build quality and extensive tech features. The XC90 does a great job of being fuss-free transport with a heavy dollop of genuine luxury. Volvo's warranty coverage is average for a luxury brand, which includes three years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
Wildcard
7/10
The latest XC90 generation has been around since 2016, and it hasn't changed much in the looks department in that time. As a result, the styling is getting a little dated. That said, if Swedish design — and the restraint that typically comes with it — is more your speed, the XC90 has appeal. It might not be the newest kid on the block, but there's something to be said for just how well the big Volvo holds its own against the rest of the pack.
Which XC90 does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest getting the Core trim. It's the XC90's base trim level and missing some of the finer luxury touches of the upper trims — leather upholstery, ventilated front seats — but we think it's still the sweet spot for most buyers. We also suggest getting the B6 powertrain since it offers more power without any significant effect on fuel economy.
We are new owners of a gorgeous XC90 Plug-in hybrid, and feel compelled to write a a review to share our exceptional
Experience thus far—and granted, it’s early in our experience.
We did extensive research and considered all the other prestige nameplates; Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Lincoln. We wanted a plug-in hybrid since we have had EXTREMELY good experiences with our 2021 Rav4 Prime. The … freedom of driving around town without relying upon gasoline is itself a joy and liberation that deserves many paragraphs to describe all its virtues. Every premium nameplate offers a plug-in hybrid SUV now, so this freedom is catching-on … and if you are still paying for gasoline to run errands around town, you may want to re-think your automobile strategy; the only thing I think when I see a neighborhood gas station now is; “…should I stop and buy a lottery ticket…?” Because gas stations are otherwise meaningless to me and just a reminder of how dumb I was before I made the switch to plug-in hybrids.
One note to Volvo on this topic: the new 2025 XC90 charges at a rate about half as fast as my 2021 RAV4 Prime (3.7 vs 7.1 kWh). This is my biggest disappointment….and arguably the only one. It basically means that while plugged-in, the battery ‘re-fills’ at a rate of about 5 miles of additional range per hour … as opposed to about 11 for the Toyota. Big deal…it is what it is. I drive less than 30 miles a day so I rarely trigger the gasoline engine…only when I go out of town.
So, the rest…. Wow! Solid! Stunning! Quiet! Powerful! Graceful! Advanced! My goodness, this vehicle is a real treat to drive. It has an extensive range of driving modes to accommodate any road condition you may encounter; rain, snow, gravel, pavement, ice, whatever nature OR your neglectful state/local government may serve up! The engineering and technology is seamless and absolutely top-notch. The vehicle remains stable and flawless. Drivers’ aides abound from lane-maintenance, blind-spot alerts, warnings to let you know about some dumb-skull that has stopped on the road and is too stupid to pull off to the shoulder, idiots opening driver’s side doors into on-coming traffic just as you are approaching them, and the list goes on and on. By and by, you get this general feeling after encountering all the strange little ways that Volvo has engineered to protect you (not to mention how to protect all the other idiots on the road) is, well, WARMTH. You just feel safe and you have a warm spot in your gut because you just feel cared for.
I was skeptical about a 4 cylinder engine on such a big car. Volvo has done an amazing job with this engine and it is more than ample: 450+ horsepower! Compared to the RAV4 Prime which has 300+ horsepower, I can honestly say that Volvo left nothing on the table. This engine is smoother and quieter and quite ‘hot!’ Teslas are known for their speed and all that torque from the electric motors…. Well, this Volvo has both horse power AND torque from the dual engine set-up and it rivals a Tesla’s performance. I have no need to ever go anywhere in under 5 seconds and I am not impressed with 0-60 acceleration times, but I guess some people are still impressed by those metrics. Bottom line is that: off the line, when the light turns green, my XC90 is always the first car through the intesection:))
And it’s a big car inside. I have the 6-seater model and ingress/egress to the very comfortable third row is simple. Compared to the (2 row) Rav4Prime, it handles identically. Like a small SUV…yet it seats 4 large adults AND a couple kids comfortably.
We are loving the car. It’s a gorgeous ‘vapour’ grey with ‘blonde’ leather interior and real wood paneling. Super nice. Pano roof, and the shifter handle is a big ol’ crystal. We are smitten. Definitely check it out. We got $15,400 OFF the MSRP! Great deal!
I’m leasing at 2025 XC90 T8 ultra plug in hybrid. Its beautiful design isn’t enough to prevent you from realizing you have been transported back to 2009 in terms of vehicle features.
Aside from a pretty comfortable and smooth ride in the absolutely beautiful leather clad cabin - every single other aspect of this car is lacking.
For $82,000 - Volvo should be ashamed.
Starting with … the cup holders. They fit maybe 1 out of 3 beverage vessels. Otherwise you’re either using your right elbow to hold them steady while you drive or youve got your hydroflask pinned between your thighs because it doesn’ stand a chance of pushing into the opening in the center console.
Moving on to the fireball/atomic brightness of the windows 98 infotainment screen in the middle of the dashboard that has no controls for BRIGHTNESS. Night and day - defcon 5 brightness for no reason.
Day after day, each element raises the question, “who did they build this for?l
Even the most basic functions lie simply activating one of the memorized presets for the luxurious leather front seats (they are lovely) requires the user to hold the preset button until the seat and mirrors reach their preset positions. Hold it down until it stops.
UNLESS you do it with the car door open. Only then, will the seat adjust to the driver’s stored position via a single press of the button.
There is no apple CarPlay via Bluetooth, so your iPhone must be tethered in order to have contact information included for incoming calls or text messages —unless you want to import all of your contacts into Google. You also need that tether to charge your phone since the car doesn’t support wireless charging. In 2025, your 80K new car perpetually has a cable poking out from the center console where the only usb ports for the front of the car live.
The suit hanger hooks in the backseats will accommodates no more than 2 hangers at a time, so make sure to limit those dry cleaning pickups.
Did I mention the beautiful leather front seats? They really are, and the ultra level gets you ventilated ones. And you won’t have an opportunity to forget about them once activated. The amount of noise they generate is like a mini wind tunnel, which I guess is fractionally more soothing then the barely muffled exterior noise you usually hear.
The gas/battery level indicator is completely unreliable and often jumps 10-20 miles up or down suddenly.
Parking assist via the sensors and cameras - barely useful. The alarms blare at nothing, or neglect to activate for real hazards. Also, you cannot adjust the sensitivity of the side mirror blind spot indicators. Then again they are positioned so that you don’t notice them without actively turning your head to look anyway.
Also - the users manual is useless. The tire pressure indicator alerts you of low pressure - but no indication of which tire. So you pull over to a gas station and kneel down next to your car to check them one by one.
Apparently there’s an auto windshield wiper function. You can’t just select that as your default setting though. You have to press a button each time you turn on the car to activate it. Isn’t that the opposite of Auto?
The homelink button works perfectly! Does Volvo get a star for that? It’s another company’s product right? I do appreciate there is a headrest fold down butting for the middle and back row seats to increase visibility. Unfortunately, you’ll need to crawl in the raise them back into position manually if you’re having adults in your car post fold. No button to raise them back up.
You can lock or unlock your car from the Volvo app. You’re also able to cool the car remotely prior to getting in on a hot day. Super cool - I would prefer having the little slide out extender on the driver’s visor that came standard on Indian rickshaws from the early 70s to preserve my ability to see when driving in full sun myself. But cool!
The Volvo XC90 plug in hybrid is a very pretty car. The leather seats are gorgeous. I have the bone colored leather which isn’t available everywhere. I love looking at it and sitting in it. I don’t like how long I have to look to find information that I want about the car I spent so much money on. It’s almost like they’re hiding something…perhaps it’s the fully loaded 2009 Honda Civic EX’s features packed into a beautiful 2025 “luxury” vehicle’s shell and it worked on me. I was totally fooled
You’ll get better bang for your buck elsewhere, take it
58 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
The XC90 is Volvo’s venerable three-row SUV. It’s been around in its current guise for eight years now, and it’s getting a little long in the tooth. That said, it still puts on perfect display what Volvo does best. It features a wonderfully crafted interior that doesn’t feel its age, a spacious cabin, and a set of controls that are easy to understand and use. It also offers an efficient plug-in hybrid for those who want a little bit of electrification without going all the way into the EV space.
Edmunds spotlight: No new XC90 in sight
Volvo recently unveiled the EX90, a three-row fully electric crossover SUV that now serves as the brand's flagship model. Volvo is a brand that is single-minded on going full EV, and that means the XC90 will likely be exactly the same as it is now until Volvo decides to put it out to pasture. Still, if you're interested in safety, comfort and Swedish luxury, the XC90 is a great option.
Competitors to consider
The XC90 exists in a supremely competitive class of SUV. The Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Audi Q7 are all direct competitors to the Volvo. They offer the newest technologies, more powerful engine options, and even more in the way of luxury features. That said, they are also significantly more expensive than the XC90 and feature options lists that only send the price further skyward. The Lexus TX is another excellent competitor that's reasonably priced, far more spacious and more modern.
Edmunds says
We're still fans of the XC90 after all this time, but we certainly wish Volvo would bring out a brand-new one to better compete with its rivals from Germany and Japan.
FAQ
Is the Volvo XC90 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 XC90 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.5 out of 10. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volvo XC90. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Volvo XC90?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Volvo XC90:
New trim level names for 2025
Part of the second XC90 generation introduced for 2016
To determine whether the Volvo XC90 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the XC90. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the XC90's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Volvo XC90 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Volvo XC90 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 XC90 and gave it a 7.5 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 XC90 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Volvo XC90?
The least-expensive 2025 Volvo XC90 is the 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Core 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $71,900.
Other versions include:
T8 Core 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $71,900
T8 Core 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $73,000
T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $73,800
T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating, w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $74,300
T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $75,800
T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $76,300
T8 Ultra 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $79,600
T8 Ultra 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating, w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $80,100
T8 Ultra 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $80,200
T8 Ultra 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) which starts at $80,700
If you're interested in the Volvo XC90, the next question is, which XC90 model is right for you? XC90 variants include T8 Core 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A), T8 Core 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A), T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A), and T8 Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/6 Passenger Seating, w/Prod. End 11/24 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A). For a full list of XC90 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more