2023 Volvo XC90
Overview
Style, size, luxury appointments, and a stellar offering of important safety features make the Volvo XC90 a stately choice among vehicles in the huge mid-size luxury SUV segment. Available with seating for up to seven passengers, the three-row XC90 is Volvo’s biggest SUV, and it competes with class rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE-class. The XC90 finishes among the best in our rankings in part thanks to an elegant interior rife with Swedish design influence. Engines range from a 247-hp turbocharged inline-four assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system up to the XC90 Recharge’s turbocharged inline-four plug-in hybrid setup with a total of 455 horsepower. All XC90 powertrains are fitted with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. With a bias toward luxury, the XC90 aims to win over the upper-class buyers with high-quality interior materials and a practical max towing capacity of 5000 pounds.
What’s New for 2023?
The 2023 Volvo XC90 has fancy new names for its trim levels. What was formerly two trims—Momentum and Inscription—are now three: Core, Plus, and Ultimate. In an effort to transform its entire lineup into an electrified one, Volvo has eliminated its gas-only T5 and T6 engines, replacing them with four-cylinder-turbo B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains. Additionally, Volvo adds three new metallic exterior colors, Bright Dusk, Platinum Grey, and Silver Dawn, while removing six previously optional paint choices. The XC90 gets new Bright and Dark exterior themes, the latter replacing any chrome or shiny trim pieces with high-gloss black parts. A new Climate package, available on Core trims only, adds a heated steering wheel, rear seats, and a headlight cleaning system. A new Lounge package, available on Ultimate trims, adds front seat backrest massaging and a Nubuck suede-like headliner. New à la carte options include a Harman Kardon audio sound system, head-up display, 20-inch wheels for Core, and 21-inch wheels for Plus trims.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Volvo allows for a decent amount of configurability when it comes to building the perfect XC90, but to find a good balance of opulence, price, and power we’d suggest starting with the Plus trim, adding the optional 295-hp B6 powertrain, and sticking with the cheaper seven-passenger bench-seat layout instead of paying the hefty price for second-row captain’s chairs. At no additional cost, the Plus trim allows for the Maroon Brown leather-and-Charcoal interior, which comes with stylish walnut trim. Standard equipment on XC90 Plus includes a 360-degree camera, 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and heated rear seats.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
In an effort to boost efficiency, Volvo has electrified the XC90’s powertrain offerings. Although a fully-electric XC90 doesn’t exist yet, even the Core base model receives help from a 48-volt electric motor bolted to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine for 247 horsepower of combined output. Moving up to the B6 powertrain, available on Plus and standard on Ultimate trim levels, increases output to 295 horsepower. The 455-hp T8 plug-in-hybrid XC90 Recharge is not only the most powerful of the group but also the most efficient with an EPA-rated 66 MPGe. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come with every XC90, no matter the trim level or powertrain. The T8 Recharge shot to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds at our test track. As with many vehicles in this tallish class, the Volvo leans noticeably around curves, but its steering responses are accurate and the wheel has a pleasing heft that splits the difference between feather-light and heavyweight. Our test car had the optional air suspension and provided a pleasant, insulated ride, and it handled most road situations well. Some clattering from the chassis over particularly sharp bumps betrays minor road imperfections, one of only a few grievances with the otherwise graceful XC90.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Those interested in pulling boats, trailers, and other toys should be aware not every XC90 is capable of the model’s 5000-pound max tow rating. While every XC90 with the 295-hp B6 powertrain and XC90 PHEV can pull that much, the base Core 247-hp B5 powertrain is rated for 4000 pounds. These ratings don’t depend on whether you’re driving a seven- or six-passenger XC90; it’s all about the powertrain.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With the exception of its T8 plug-in-hybrid powertrain, the XC90 achieves similar fuel-economy ratings to many of its six-cylinder competitors. The 247-hp B5 powertrain gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 28 highway, while XC90’s with the 295-hp B6 powertrain gets 20 city and 26 mpg highway ratings. The XC90 Recharge T8 gets an EPA-rated 66 MPGe and can go for as far as 36 miles on battery power according to the EPA. During our 75-mph real-world highway fuel economy test, the XC90 Recharge fell short of its EPA rating, earning just 58 MPGe and traveling 29 miles on battery power. For more information about the XC90’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The XC90’s interior is a masterpiece of the medium. From the attractive design to the quality of the materials, we wish there were more vehicles like this. Adults won’t be happy in the third row, despite the fact that it offers more legroom than similar rivals, but preteens can probably be persuaded, provided the journey is short. The XC90’s wide, boxy silhouette helps in the cargo-hauling department, but interior compartments aren’t as cavernous as in some competitors.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
A handsome, tablet-like 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard in all XC90s, and its operation is mostly intuitive. Every model has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability; a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is optional. The system could be improved by adding more redundant hard buttons.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volvo’s commitment to safety is legendary, and its three-row crossover has a loaded roster of driver-assistance technology. For more information about the XC90’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Standard lane-departure warning
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The XC90 has a merely average warranty plan versus competitors. However, Volvo outdoes them by offering excellent complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Extended Range
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $66,895/$84,090
Options: Inscription package (Nappa leather, heated and ventilated front seats, wood deco inlay, 20-inch wheels, tailored dashboard and upper door panels, Harman/Kardon premium sound, four-zone climate control), $6300; Bowers & Wilkens premium sound, $3200; air suspension, $1800; Lounge package (Nubuck headliner, massaging front seats), $1700; Advanced package (air purifier, head-up display, surround view camera), $1650; 21-inch wheels, $800; Climate package (heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, headlight washers), $750, Pine Grey Metallic paint, $695; integrated center booster cushion for second row, $300
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 312 hp, 295 lb-ft + AC motor, 143 hp, 228 lb-ft (combined output: 455 hp, 523 lb-ft; 14.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.7-kW onboard charger)
Transmissions: 8-speed automatic/direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.4-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season
275/40R-21 107W M+S VOL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.5 in
Length: 195.0 in
Width: 75.7 in
Height: 69.9 in
Passenger Volume: 132 ft3
Cargo Volume: 11 ft3
Curb Weight: 5194 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.5 sec
100 mph: 11.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.1 sec @ 107 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.3 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 184 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 29 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 58 MPGe/28 mpg
75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid mode: 29/520 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 26/25/27 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 66 MPGe
EV Range: 36 mi
More Features and Specs
