2025 Volvo XC90 First Drive: Tech Updates Make This Luxe SUV Even Better On the Road 

Many of the changes in the 2025.5 model, which is priced from $58,450 to $80,700, were based on Volvo’s brand new all-electric EX90 3-row SUV. The result is what may be the perfect meld of the two, keeping some basic interior structural details but adding many of the multimedia tech and trim details that define the EX90. 

Still, Volvo stuck with the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines from the prior generation, and for most buyers that’s a good thing. This is largely what keeps the price increase minimal year to year.

Read: Volvo EX90 EV or Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid EV: Which 3-Row SUV is the Right Choice For You?

This is probably the most notable detail—once you see it. The 2025 Volvo XC90 sports a new front grille with a crosshatch design anchored by a new “Iron Mark” badge that plays on the old design. Gone is the concave vertical grille, replaced by a crosshatch chrome grille with the new badge at its center. 

The badge itself is simply the Volvo logo amid the grille, without the ‘sash’ that’s defined the logo until now. Cleverly, Volvo’s designers use the crosshatch design to implicate the sash, but also, eliminate it from the badge, which personally, I think is a good move. Also new, but subtly so, are hood lines, fenders and Thor’s Hammer headlights, which are modernized and simplified for an even more elegant look.

Read: 2025 Volvo EX90 First Drive: The All Electric 3-Row SUV You’ve Been Waiting For

The first thing you’ll see in the 2025 model is a new large multimedia screen powered by the new Google operating system. Volvo has been rolling out this system and it’s a win; it works well and has “hey Google” voice activation to quickly ask for and access functions like navigation, climate and radio. 

Despite the large screen, the sublimely designed cabin and shows off Volvo’s superior approach to design. Using surprising materials, such as a light wood veneer that’s backlit so it glows at night, woven surface coverings and leatherette, the cabin feels chic and modern. Add the Swedish chair design with modern headrests, layered materials on the door panels and new, larger vertical air vents on the dashboard and entire cabin exudes a chic simplicity.

Read: How the Audi Q7 and Q8 are Alike and Different, Plus a Few New Details for 2025

Much of Volvo’s chic feel comes from its innovative approach to materials. Gone are the days when the brand offers supple leather and a Nappa upgrade— though Nappa is still offered. With Nordico, Volvo’s custom leatherette option, there are more colors and treatments than in the past. And, some of them combine pine sap and other renewable materials in its manufacture to deliver both the feeling of living materials but the sustainability of renewable materials. 

I’ve experienced Nordico a dozen times in multiple Volvo cars and can say, I’m a fan. The colors are gorgeous; the feeling is comfortable while being supportive. And as a synthetic material, leatherette shouldn’t crack or discolor the way leather can.

Volvo also offers its notable woven interiors—in this case, woven polyester (above) that looks and feels just like wool. The weave is tight and comfortable and looks beautiful. Constructed from polyester means it should also be resilient, though woven surfaces are more permeable to liquids and smells; buyers with kids, dogs or sweaty passengers may find Nordico to be a better option.

Read: The Lexus TX 550h+ Plug-in Hybrid 3-Row SUV Has a Lot to Love

I have to take a moment to talk about this console. The Volvo EX90 features a floating center console, something I fell instantly in love with for its under-console storage and elegant look and feel. But it has its drawbacks: the gear shifter has been eliminated and there are few functions on the console. 

The Volvo XC90’s center console is designed to look as if it’s floating, with a lighter colored top and a black base. Atop the console is a lever gear shifter, in our model topped with Orrefors crystal, an elegant detail we’ve loved for a while now. The XC90’s console also features a phone charge pad tucked just under the climate control panel, and because it’s also black, it continues the illusion that the console is floating. 

Read: The 2022 Infiniti QX60 Is A Glorious Retreat

Sounds counter-intuitive, right? But the large new center screen with voice activation complimented by a large driver display screen and head up display made it easy to keep my eyes on the road.  

The new center screen offers more at-your-fingertips functions and a larger, easier to see map, as well as a customizable tool bar that will also readjust to feature your most often accessed apps.

There are four sections: the top two thirds of the screen features the map or selected display; just below are two windows with currently active  systems, such as music and phone; below that is a static bar with most used apps and below that is a static climate control panel. 

Below the screen is a bar of buttons to quickly access climate and radio; these can also be accessed on the screen.

Probably one of the biggest changes to the 2025.5 model is the addition of arm rests to the captains chairs. If you know, you know. And you probably know where you come down on this argument. 

Volvo eliminated arm rests for the center row captains chairs in the last update of the XC90 and it was a bit polarizing. This made for more elegant chairs and easier access to the 3rd row, but it made for grumpy center row passenger  who had nowhere to rest their elbows. Kids in car seats were OK; adults, though, not so much.

For 2025.5 not only are the arm rests back, but each has a clever retractable cup holder tucked into the end of the arm rest; just push it and the cup holder pops out. I really love this detail. 

What hasn’t changed is the ample seating for kids and passengers. There are four sets of LATCHes— two in the center and two in the 3rd row. Buyers who choose a center row bench will also get the integrated booster seat in the middle seat. Just pull it up and push it toward the seat back; push down and you’ll hear it click into place. This is a great option for those who have occasional passengers who need a booster and it ensures there’s space for a 3rd passenger in the middle seat. It also is ideal for someone who doesn’t need a lot of space fo their feet; the middle seat has very limited foot room on the floor.

The downside is this is only available with the bench seat; buyers who opt for captains chairs won’t get the integrated booster. 

Third row access remains the same: center seats slide and tilt forward, even with a child passenger car seat installed. 3rd row passengers have air vents and cup holders but no USB ports. Buyers who plan to regularly use the 3rd row might want to think about captains chairs, which make the 3rd row easier to access and will make passengers feel less claustrophobic.

The redesigned 2025 Volvo XC90 offers the same engine options as recent years: A B5 mild hybrid that generates 247 HP and is estimated to get 26 MPG; a B6 mild hybrid which generates 295 HP and is estimated to get 23 MPG; and a T8 Plug-in hybrid electric that generates 455 HP, has an all electric range of 33 miles, and about 27 MPG when using only the gas-powered hybrid engine. 

Though the redesigned 2025 models have the same engines as prior models these have been tweaked for better fuel economy and a more comfortable ride.  

During my test drive I had the chance to try out both the T8 plug-in hybrid electric and the B5 mild hybrid. In the city and in light traffic on the highway they both perform admirably; the size and agility of the Volvo XC90 makes it easy to handle. Nothing about it is intimidating. 

However, I really liked the quiet startup of the T8, and the option to drive only on electricity, to charge the battery while driving or to put the hybrid system in automatic which allows it to decide when to use electric and when to use gas. With 33 miles of electric power you can go weeks or even months between fill-ups.

I also really loved the power of the T8. With 455 HP you’ll never feel the weight of a full load of passengers or gear, and there’s plenty of room for gear even with the 3rd row up. 

I happen to believe that a 3-row SUV needs a minimum of about 275 HP. 300 HP is better. 455 HP? Well, that’s just a delight. The T8’s power comes from the electric motor; the gas engine delivers 310 HP on its own and the electric motor delivers the rest. And this is what makes it my favorite. The 6-passenger T8 Plus is priced at $76,300 and includes a lot of luxuries like the panoramic sunroof, Nordic interior and a choice of captains chairs or a center row bench. 

For about $10,000 less you can get the B6 in Plus with captains chairs; this is also a great option but without the advantage of all electric driving and the elevated horsepower. 

The new Volvo XC90 goes into production soon, but there are older 2025 models on dealers lots and than can be ordered. If you’re shopping the Volvo XC90 and have your heart seat on all the new changes, make sure you’re looking at the one you want. 

You may have to wait until production ramps up and deliveries begin. Or, order yours and that way you’ll be sure to get the modern, retooled Volvo XC90 you want with all the great updates and a classic, powerful engine.