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By Jonathan Crouch

This further improved version of the second generation Volvo XC90 aims to make the most of its sleek Swedish design values. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 66

Volvo's second generation XC90 is a seven-seat luxury SUV that has given key rivals like Audi's Q7 and the Land Rover Discovery a lot to think about. Safe, efficient, clever, practical and stylish, it has re-established this Swedish maker as a credibly prestigious automotive brand. A 2025 update brought a smarter look. And for the 2027 model year, the PHEV version gets a longer-ranging drivetrain too.

Backgroundword count: 165

In well over two decades on sale, Volvo's XC90 has created a niche for itself that rivals have struggled to penetrate. It's never been particularly sporty or SUV-like. Instead, its cool, laid-back Swedish vibe hit the perfect note with many families who weren't bothered about either of those two extremes in choosing a big seven-seat crossover. So much so that the original MK1 model hung around for absolutely ages, launched in 2002 and sold right up to 2014. This MK2 version could have an even longer production run. Originally launched in 2015, then updated in 2019 and again in 2025, you might think a full replacement would be on the cards by now, but even with huge Chinese Geely backing, Volvo simply doesn't have the funds to deliver that at the same time as developing similarly-sized full-EV models like the EX90. So what we've got instead is yet another second generation XC90 update, which has brought a class-leading PHEV drivetrain and updated cabin screen tech.

Driving Experienceword count: 451

Mild hybrid tech is retained for the mainstream B5 petrol version of this model, which mates the usual 2.0-litre four cylinder Volvo engine with a 48-volt battery, a 'KERS' kinetic energy recovery system and an 'ISG' integrated starter-generator. This AWD powertrain puts out 250hp with 360Nm of torque - and 62mph from rest occupies 7.7s en route to the 112mph top speed that all Volvos share. As usual with an XC90, the alternative is the brand's T8 Plug-in hybrid powertrain. Not much was done to the engineering of this PHEV engine as part of the 2025 update; now we know why. The Swedish engineers were working on a class-leading step forward in this regard. It gains a massive increase in battery size - from 18.8kWh to 41.2kWh (37.9kWh usable). This facilitates an equally enormous increase in EV drive range - from 44 miles to a class-leading 99 miles. As before, the huge battery feeds a rear electric motor, which is now more powerful (up from 145 to 175hp) working in tandem with a 243hp 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine to produce a 406hp total. It's all enough to deliver a set of stats that it's rather hard to get your head around. So, 62mph from rest in just 5.4s - the kind of storming performance you'd get in this segment from, say, a Porsche Cayenne S - matched with real world fuel and CO2 readings that could potentially equal those of a frugal supermini. That's assuming you select the most performance-orientated of the five driving settings that T8 owners are offered - the 'Power' mode that sees both petrol and electric units permanently working together. Alternatively, there are four other drive choices: a 'Hybrid' setting that sees the two engines cutting in and out as necessary: an 'AWD' mode that gives you permanent 4x4 traction off road: plus a 'Pure electric' setting that only uses the battery power. There's even a 'Save' option so that on a longer trip, you can hold that charge until you get to the city driving you might have to do at the end of the journey. As before, there's unruffled poise and exemplary refinement, plus you get supple standards of ride comfort from the multi-link rear suspension and top variants continue to have the desirable 'Active Four-C' adaptive damping and air suspension package. A 'Drive Mode Settings' driving dynamics system allows you to tailor throttle response, steering feel and shift timings from the standard 8-speed auto gearbox to suit the way you want to drive. If you do decide to push on a bit, grip and traction are actually quite impressive aided by the AWD system, while cornering body roll is also decently well controlled.

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