2025 Volvo XC90: Swedish Staple Soldiers On With Slight Update

Malmö, Sweden—Volvo’s gas-powered XC90 three-row SUV gets a minor update for the 2025 model year, with B6 mild hybrid and T8 plug-in hybrid variants once again available to customers in North America. It is sold alongside the fully electric EX90 as the two vehicles target different crowds, the Swedish company insists.

As a reminder, Volvo became in 2021 the first legacy automaker to announce plans to have an EV-only lineup by 2030. It recently backtracked on this commitment in order to adapt to today's automotive market, in which demand for electric vehicles is not as strong as anticipated. With the XC90 being Volvo's third best-selling vehicle, behind the smaller XC60 and XC40, an update was necessary.

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The original XC90 launched in 2001 and lasted 14 years, while the second generation—based on the SPA1 platform—debuted in 2015 and will likely be just as old as its predecessor when it retires. The 2025 update includes some cosmetic tweaks, chassis revisions and new cabin tech.

Supremely Smooth

Behind the wheel of the hybrid-powered XC90 T8, you immediately sense that this three-row SUV is all about comfort. For 2025, Volvo engineers have added sound-deadening material to make the cabin quieter. With 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque, the plug-in hybrid powertrain doesn’t lack strength or stamina, but the four-cylinder engine does sound rough under hard acceleration. However, everything becomes quiet again at cruising speeds or when driving at a more leisurely pace.

When it comes to driving dynamics, the 2025 XC90 stands out with good body control but prefers to let other SUVs win the handling battle. Our tester was equipped with the optional air suspension, which lowers ride height by 20 mm at cruising speeds to improve aerodynamics. Conversely, the suspension can increase ground clearance by up to 40 mm when driving on sketchy terrain.

Even with the 22-inch wheels, the ride proved supremely smooth. Keep in mind that we drove on pristine pavement across the Swedish countryside. The XC90 T8 enables a pure electric range of 53 km in ideal conditions, which unfortunately doesn’t match rivals like the BMW X5 xDrive50e, Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4MATIC or Land Rover Range Rover Sport P460e.

The base XC90 B6 with mild hybrid technology generates 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Engineers have developed a Frequency Selective Damping suspension system where each individual damper is able to adapt mechanically to road conditions to optimize either ride quality or handling. The B5 model we got the opportunity to test drive in Sweden is not available in Canada, but we don’t see why the ride would be any different with the B6.

More Premium Looks

Right at first glance, it’s clear that the 2025 XC90 has a distinctly more upscale appearance. Just look at the redesigned front grille, which now incorporates a juxtaposed diagonal motif. Meanwhile, Volvo’s “Thor's Hammer” lighting signature has been updated with slimmer headlamps. New wheel designs ranging from 20-22 inches in size are another highlight, along with a new body colour called Mulberry Red.

The clean, genuinely Scandinavian interior of the 2025 XC90 also gains luxury and refinement. The redesigned front cabin features a flatter dashboard layout with decorative panels made from premium recycled materials and new vertical air vents. Once again, the instrument cluster is digital, but the XC90 now features an 11.2-inch touchscreen arranged vertically instead of a small 9-inch screen.

Similar to the battery-powered EX30 and EX90, Volvo’s large SUV benefits from Google built-in including Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play apps. For iPhone users, Apple CarPlay is available but still requires a wired connection. Bummer.

Infotainment Needs Improvements

Our experience with the 2025 Volvo XC90’s infotainment system wasn't a very good one. Once, for no apparent reason, the navigation map suddenly zoomed out and it looked like the vehicle was driving right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

We managed to reach our destination, where a Volvo technician quickly connected his laptop to our vehicle to rectify the problem. While chatting with other colleagues, we discovered that this wasn’t an isolated incident—many had lost their way at some point due to failures of the navigation system. And if you think the EX90 is better or more reliable in that department, we’re sorry to report it also has its fair share of issues based on comments from fellow journalists.

So here we are, wondering whether a third generation of the XC90 will see the light of day or whether Volvo will continue to improve its large, gas-powered SUV through occasional updates. With the brand now aiming to have 90 percent electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2030, it's rather safe to assume the XC90 will soldier on without major changes in the coming years.

How Much?

The 2025 Volvo XC90 will go on sale in Canada in January, though pricing has yet to be announced. Expect a slight increase from the 2024 model, which starts at around $75,000 in B6 trim or $87,000 in T8 trim—no options included.