7 Things That Make the 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra PHEV One of the Best Family SUVs
The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra PHEV was my introduction to the brand, and now I see why they're a popular all-weather, family SUV.
Three-row SUVs are becoming more and more popular by the day, and with more hybrid and PHEV options cropping up, it becomes even more difficult to understand the options. Out of over a dozen options, it’s even harder to find one that has a functional third row that doesn’t make the otherwise nicely sized SUV into a land yacht. From both the outside and the driver’s seat, the XC90 doesn’t feel like a full-sized SUV.
It can be configured as a 7-seater, with a three-seat bench as the second row and two seats in the third row, or a 6-seater with two captain’s chairs. The third row for the 6-seater is still just two seats. The model I reviewed was the T8 Ultra model, which is the top-of-the-line, has a starting price of $73,600. Which, with all the standard equipment for the T8 Ultra, is a fair price. However, once you start adding goodies on, the price skyrocketed to $88,695. That’s a high number, but when you consider alternatives from Lexus, Nissan, GMC, Chevy, and more, that’s one of the lower luxury SUVs.
The XC90 was the first Volvo I’ve driven, and it was an amazing introduction to the brand. For the price, there sure is a lot to love—but my favorite part was all that space in such a deceptively sized SUV. I have a few more items to list off, too.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
1. There’s More Space Than Meets the Eye
Aside from the Nappa leather seats, beautiful crystal shifter, a lush tan and chestnut brown interior color pattern, and the Harman Kardon sound system, the first thing that caught my eye was how much room there was inside. I fully expected to be underwhelmed, given that it’s roughly the same size as a Genesis GV80. I’m used to 3-row SUVs with third rows that feel like a rare form of torture (for an adult, anyway). But the Volvo XC90 was vast. With the third row tucked away, the trunk space was incredible. My two toddlers could (and did) climb, jump, run, and skip with all that space.
Granted, two captain’s chairs opened up the second row and made the third row more visible and accessible, but even with the third row in use, the space behind them was more than acceptable. It was impressive. The legroom in the second row was impressive, and the large panoramic sunroof helped bring in more natural light and open everything up even more. The non-removable headrests made forward-facing car seats a bit of a pain to install, even with a small opening in the center, but I made it work.
READ MORE: 2025 Volvo XC90 First Drive: Tech Updates Make This Luxe SUV Even Better On the Road
2. Google Being Built-In Was Familiar and Quick
Volvo’s in-house operating system, like the one seen in the EX40, isn’t anything to write home about. But the home screen in the XC90 was quick, vibrant, and a pleasantly high resolution. Everyone’s favorite Google-based apps (like Maps, Assistant, Contacts, etc) were built in. When you sign in to your Google account, everything syncs. As a Google goon, I very much appreciated that feature.
However, if you’re an Android user, I will warn you: the XC90 comes with Apple CarPlay installed, but Android Auto wasn’t anywhere to be found. I thought, “Well, maybe because it’s a Google-based system, which runs off of Android OS, maybe you don’t need the app installed.” Nope. I tried to restart my phone, I tried to restart the headunit (thanks to handy advice from fellow Redditors who experienced the issue), and nothing worked.
I tried to search the app in the Google Play store, which is pre-installed, and noticed whoever reviewed the car before me also searched “Android Auto.” I tried using a USB cable to see if it needed a hard connection, and it never worked. It was the first time I’d been in a new car and not had Android Auto work. To listen to music, I had to download the Spotify app and sign in with my phone.
I had to use Google Maps separately from Spotify, which wasn’t that difficult a task, but for those who don’t have the technological wherewithal to know how to juggle different apps on the fly, I could picture that being incredibly frustrating. Maybe it can be fixed with an update from the dealer, or maybe the Swedes just don’t like Androids (that’s a joke, obviously, because when I drove the EX40, Android Auto worked just fine). Because I knew my way around Google apps, it was a simple adjustment I had to make versus having everything in one place. Volvo’s target audience, though, probably won’t like that.
3. The Volvo XC90’s EV Range Makes Daily Errands an Emissions-Free Breeze
Most PHEVs I’ve reviewed had a typical all-electric range of about 25 miles. The XC90 I drove had an electric range of 32 miles, which made driving around Bend, Oregon, disguised as an EV, simple. With the push of a button, I was able to bring my husband some lunch at work, go grocery shopping, buy myself a caffeinated drink, and head home with plenty of miles to spare for the next day. If I really wanted to, I could top it off from my garage with the factory cable and have it slowly charge overnight. Easy peasy.
That’s my favorite part about having a PHEV—you can choose to go all-gas one day, hybrid the next, and all-electric the day with a simple tap on the screen. Which you have to, because all controls are embedded in the screen, save for the media controls and seat heating functions. Charging is simple, thanks to an NACS port from the factory, so the expansive Tesla Supercharging network makes it even easier, too.
READ MORE: The 2025 Volvo XC90 Has a Modern New Face, Tech Upgrades and Posh Finishes
4. Volvo’s Lidar-Based Safety Suite is a Lifesaver–Literally
When I was heading back home after filming and photographing the maroon machine, I faced mixed traffic. At some points, the traffic was moving quickly, and then the traffic would randomly slow. I was looking to my left at the train that was passing on the track, when all of a sudden the Volvo was beeping at me. Looking over the upcoming hill, I saw a car two cars ahead of the one in front of me slam on its brakes. Before the car in front of me slammed on its brakes, the Volvo’s brakes kicked in and began slowing me down. Of course, with a warning message about a “possible collision.”
I took over and applied the brakes—hard—and successfully stopped behind the car in front of me. Somehow, the Volvo was able to get that far in front of me, and I was incredibly grateful. No wonder Volvo’s reputation for being one of the safest cars remains intact when it can predict an accident like that. That quick action and reaction convinced me to seriously recommend a Volvo to people, especially parents. For city slickers, the XC90 also has built-in pedestrian and cyclist detectors that will automatically apply the brakes to avoid collisions, too.
READ MORE: 10 Ways Your Car Can Prevent Distracted Driving, and the Cars That Do This Best
5. Various Driving Modes Bring the Beast to the Surface
You probably wouldn’t have guessed it, but the Volvo XC90 is pretty darn quick. Standard all-wheel drive paired with a punchy turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and the battery pack generates a combined 455 horsepower. When she’s put into “Power” mode, which stiffens up the steering, improves throttle response time, and stiffens up the adaptive suspension (when equipped as an add-on–otherwise it’s a fixed suspension system) and makes it hunker down, all 455 horses are put to good use. I had a blast playing around with that mode.
Interestingly, though, I noticed there was an “AWD” driving mode. That mode is what activates the AWD system; otherwise, the rear wheels get the majority of the power. You’d use this mode in poor weather conditions, like snow, rain, or mud. There’s an “Off-Road” mode too, which engages the AWD system and raises the suspension to max height (when equipped, of course). There isn’t a tow mode, but the increased horsepower and help from the battery pack bring the tow rating to 5,000 lbs, which is more than enough for most adventure-hungry families.
READ MORE: 2025 Volvo EX90 First Drive: The All-Electric 3-Row SUV You’ve Been Waiting For
6. The Interior Design and Layout are Serene, Clean, Open, and Unique
I consider myself the Gordon Ramsay of car interiors. I’m very difficult to please, and even if the driving dynamic is incredible, an ugly, boring, or bleak interior will automatically deduct a significant amount from the overall score for me. The Volvo XC90’s interior was one of my favorites so far, with contrasting tan, nutmeg, and chestnut colors, contrast stitching, textured fabric on the door instead of plastic or fake leather, and real wood tastefully implemented into the dashboard.
I wasn’t a humongous fan of every function being buried in a screen, but the screen’s size, placement, resolution, and app layout complemented the theme of the Volvo XC90 quite nicely. The crystal shifter was a nice touch, too, though I quickly became obsessed with keeping it clean and fingerprint-free. The digital gauges were bright and clear, and the driver controls were easy to find and even easier to use. The technology and materials weren’t daunting, but they weren’t too muted, either. I looked forward to getting into the driver’s seat every day that I had it.
The second row was a great place to be, too. The panoramic sunroof let so much in, the climate controls were simple to interpret, there were enough charging ports for a small army, tons of legroom, and large tinted windows to enjoy the world around me. The captain’s chairs were super cozy, but I’d spend the extra couple thousand for the bench seats to allow for another passenger. The third row is a bit tight for an adult, but for a kid, there’s plenty of space. They’d also get their own window, AC vent, charging port, and cupholder, too.
7. The Ride Was Smooth, and Most Importantly, Quiet
For as much as it costs, I fully expected the ride to be as smooth and quiet as it was. When in EV mode and the suspension set to normal, even the construction zone-laden routes were quiet and bumpless. My youngest fell asleep in the Volvo every single time we rode in it, even if it was a short drive, as she was able to watch the trees pass by from her window and feel the muted vibrations in her seat. It’s rare for her to sleep in the car, so this was impressive. I’d ask my oldest if her sister was sleeping, and she’d sigh and say, “Yeah, she’s asleep–again.”
If another mom ever asks me what car I’d recommend for babies who struggle during long drives because they can’t sit still for long periods, I’d suggest the XC90. The ride was silky smooth, and if it’s enough to put my restless toddler to sleep reliably, every time we drive, that’s a huge win for families who enjoy a long drive (like mine).
The Volvo XC90 may have some quirks, like a funky Android Auto hiccup or a lack of buttons and knobs, considering its dominant buyer base, but my favorite thing about the XC90 was that it had personality. It felt like a member of the family, and a treasured one at that.
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