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

The Volvo XC90 was introduced in its current form, a modern design with a large multimedia touchscreen and luxury touches, a decade ago. In the time since, Volvo has evolved the look and feel without making fundamental changes to its size or function. That idea remains the rule in the 2025 Volvo XC90 which just received a facelift and updated technology. 

The XC90 is a mid-size SUV that, though it seats up to 7, doesn’t feel overly large. It’s almost hard to believe that it seats that many passengers, in fact, as the proportions look and feel much more like a compact SUV than a 7-seater. 

The modernized front end features an elegant new grille with a cross-hatched lattice look and a new simplified Volvo badge design. The grille is flanked by the Thor’s Hammer headlights and daytime lights, part of the modern Volvo iconography. 

The plug-in electric hybrid is powered by a gas-powered motor and assisted by a plug-in hybrid electric system that generates 455 HP, 33 miles of all electric driving range and gets about 27 MPG when powered by only the gas engine.

The front end of the Volvo XE90 is a clean take on the XC 90’s front end. Because it’s electric powered there’s no need for a grille, which is replaced by a solid panel anchored by the Volvo logo. Unlike the new logo on the XC90, this one is bisected by the classic Volvo diagonal belt. A pixeled version of Thor’s Hammer headlights frame the front of the EX90 creating a  simplified, modern look. 

The EX90 is powered by a 111 kWh battery that has a driving range of about 300 miles and generates 402 HP from the standard system and 510 HP from the performance system.

The rear end design of the 2025 Volvo XC90 keeps the classic shape and tail lights that have defined this SUV: the vertical split sextant design frames the liftgate from just under the roof spoiler to just above the bumper. The Volvo name is spelled out across the center just below the rear window, with its prominent window wiper, and the lower bumper. 

To keep the clean look of the rear, the bumper is spanned by a chrome bar that divides the bumper and the liftgate. Further simplifying the look, Volvo has hidden the XC90’s exhaust pipes underneath; they are not a visible part of the rear of the car.

The rear of the Volvo EX90 is a design departure for the brand: rather than the navigational tool-inspired tail lights, the EX90’s rear end is framed by c-shaped tail lights and a light bar that span the center of the liftgate between the upper glass and lower gate. The Volvo name is spelled across the gate, which is framed by a dark lower bumper and of course, since it’s electric, there are no tailpipes or hint of them at all. 

On first glance it might seem that Volvo has abandoned its iconic tail lights but in fact, no. The tail lights, when lit (and best viewed at night) take on the classic look. It’s a brilliant move toward both modern and classic.

The interior of the XC90 will look and feel familiar to Volvo fans; the center console holds key functions including a wireless phone charger, drive mode selector and cup holders. The driver display, multimedia screen, dashboard and air vent shapes are similar to past models. And the modern Swedish chair design of the front seats look and feel as iconic as the originals. 

For 2025, buyers will find many of the sustainable and renewable materials found in the EX90, as well as other electric cars from Volvo. Buyers can chose from Nordico leatherette made from plastics and plant materials, a woven fabric made from polyester or Nappa leather in the Ultra trim.

Get into the Volvo EX90 and you’ll immediately see the modern view of Volvo: A floating center console anchored by a single button that doubles as a dial, a wireless phone charger and cup holders. Underneath there’s a nice storage space ideal for a handbag or small backpack as well as USB ports. 

Ahead of the driver is a single diminutive display and in some models, a head up display. The smaller screen is designed to minimize distraction and maximize the view of the road, and it’s effective; as a driver, everything on the road is easier to see.

You’ll also notice, or perhaps not notice, the air vents. While they are vertical and prominent in the XC90, they are subtly tucked into the dashboard in the EX90. Like the XC90, however, the cabin has the elegant feel of premium materials, crafted seats and a panoramic sunroof that lets in lots of light.

Missing from EX90 are some familiar things: a starter, which in the XC90 is the familiar start/stop dial on the center of the console; the EX90 powers on when you enter with the key. It’s also absent a gear shifter on the center console; the simplicity of the EX90’s console is due to the gear shifter being moved to the steering column. The XC90 maintains a traditional gear shifter with the option of an Orrefors crystal shifter, which adds even more elegance to the feel of the cabin. 

And then, the window controls: The XC90 has traditional window control buttons: one button on the driver’s side door for each of the four passenger windows. However, in the EX90 there are only two, plus a toggle to switch between the front and rear windows. It’s a bit of a back and forth to figure out which is selected and then put the window down, but our guess is buyers will get used to it once they get over the frustration factor.

This is one of the better features in the EX90 and it’s great that Volvo has added it to the XC90. The system expands on the multimedia screen that has long been the centerpiece of the Volvo cabin. The new system upgrades many of the features and functions, including Google voice assistance, maps and apps. 

This means you can ask “hey Google” for almost anything: Turn on the heated seats, find the closest Starbucks or change the radio station. It really beats having to take your eyes off the road and hunt and peck around the touch screen for something while you’re driving. 

Also new to the system are two fixed tool bars at the bottom of the screen: one for apps and one for climate. The app bar will update to feature your most used apps, but the climate bar will always remain so you can quickly access temperature, fan speed and heated or vented seats. 

Why reinvent something that needs no improvement? That’s the approach to the rear seats in both the Volvo XC90 and EX90: both offer flexible seating with a 3rd row, the option of center row captains chairs, and in upper trim models, an integrated child booster seat in the center row. 

Second and 3rd row seats are comfortable in scale with about 30” of seat pitch between front and center seats. The 3rd row, which might be considered a convenience row with limited leg room, is reachable either via a center passthrough or by sliding and tilting center outboard seats, which can be done with a forward facing child passenger seat installed. 

Center and 3rd row seats include air vents though only the second row has USB ports, and both models feature a small console between the 3rd row seats. There are two full sets LATCHes for installing a child passenger car seat in the center row, but none in the 3rd row. 

Last, rear facing child car seats are best installed in one of the center row outboard seats or the middle seat, and with slender seats, 3 should be able to fit across the center bench.

Not surprisingly, the EX90 is more expensive, though it may be a better deal when incorporating federal tax incentives, though the total price must be under $80,000, so the top of the line models won’t qualify. Feature for feature at the top of the line, though, the gas/battery hybrid and electric models are pretty comparable. Here’s how the two models are priced: 

• Volvo EX90 
• Twin motor generating 402HP 300 miles of range 
• Plus model: $79,995
• Ultra starts at $85,640 
• Performance upgrade: $5,000 additional, generates 510 HP and has a range of 300 miles 
• Options: 2nd row captains chairs $500

• XC90 Plug-in Hybrid Electric 
• Core model $73,000 
• Plus $75,800 
• Ultra $80,200, which includes Nappa leather interior 
• Options include Bowers & Wilkins premium sound, $3,200; heated rear seats and heated steering wheel, $750; Lounge package with massaging front seats and microsuede ceiling headliner, $1,700

If you’re among those who want to go electric and permanently skip the gas station, you can. The Volvo EX90 offers 300 miles of range and all wheel drive, so it’s great for daily driving, short road trips and messy winter weather. For buyers who can install a level 2 charger at home (essentially, the same power as a clothes dryer), the EX90 could be a great option for daily driving.

Buyers who want or need the comfort of a gas-powered engine for longer trips and the joy of electric driving for shorter trips, the XC90 PHEV is a great option. By plugging in daily, the XC90 should be able to run mostly on electric and only use gas when longer trips are on order. Buyers can pick the experience: better than average fuel economy with regular fill-ups, or mostly electric driving and occasional fill-ups. Which sounds pretty good to anyone who hates the chore of getting gas.

Either way, being able to drive a luxury-filled 3-row SUV that gives you the choice between gas and electric is a luxury in itself.