Volvo Suv 2023:All Overview

Summary of Volvo Suv

The Volvo XC90 is a majestic option among the massive mid-size luxury SUVs due to its size, style, and high-quality inside and exterior finishes as well as its excellent supply of vital safety features. Rivals in its class include the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE class; the three-row XC90, Volvo’s largest SUV, can accommodate as many as seven passengers. An exquisite interior replete with Swedish design influences helps the XC90 finish among the finest in our rankings. Available engines include a 48-volt mild hybrid system assisting a 247-horsepower turbocharged inline-four as well as a 455-horsepower turbocharged inline-four plug-in hybrid arrangement found in the XC90 Recharge. With every XC90 engine, you get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90 is slanted toward the elite class, targeting those purchasers with its practical maximum towing capability of 5,000 pounds and high-quality inside materials.

Unlike the Audi Q7, BMW X5, or Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Volvo XC90 stands out, and that’s a positive thing. A beautiful cabin and practical technological features are the highlights. Additionally, there is a respectable amount of all-electric range offered by the plug-in hybrid powertrain. With the possible exception of a German product, the XC90 might be the most straightforward option.

2023 Volvo XC90 Review

Top of the line for Volvo’s SUV series are the XC90, with the XC60 and XC40 being the smaller models. It has three available engines, one of which is a plug-in hybrid, and it can accommodate seven people in its three rows of seats. In the competitive midsize luxury SUV market, the XC90 stands out thanks to its fuel-efficient engines, numerous standard driving aids and technological innovations, and plush, meticulously designed cabin.

Updated engines and a better infotainment system are standard on the XC90 for the 2023 model year. The XC90 is the latest Volvo model to receive the 48-volt mild hybrid engines that have already been installed in other variants. The T5 and T6 engines are rebranded as B5 and B6, respectively, and get mild hybrid systems. The Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid was also upgraded by Volvo around the middle of last year. With its larger battery, the most recent model can go up to 32 miles on electric power alone. The new infotainment system for the 2023 XC90 is based on Google and incorporates Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. With the new infotainment system, it is now possible to update software over-the-air (OTA).

Even though the Volvo XC90 is already a great option, there are other great three-row luxury SUVs to think about after the 2023 revisions. Our top pick for a midsize luxury SUV right now is the Mercedes-Benz GLE, while the Infiniti QX60 and Acura MDX were both revamped for 2022. Despite the lack of a redesign for the XC90 since 2016, the model’s design is still relevant and useful.

2023 Update: What’s New?

The 2023 Volvo XC90 features fancy new names for its trim levels. There are now three trim levels instead of two: Core, Plus, and Ultimate. The previous trim levels were Momentum and Inscription. Volvo has ditched its gas-only T5 and T6 engines in favor of mild-hybrid B5 and B6 powertrains, which have four cylinders and turbochargers, respectively, as part of its aim to electrify its whole lineup. Also, out of the six exterior paint options that were previously available, Volvo has eliminated six and added three metallic colors—Bright Dusk, Platinum Grey, and Silver Dawn. There are two new exterior color schemes for the XC90: Bright and Dark. In the Dark motif, high-gloss black components replace chrome and other shining trim. A headlamp cleaning system, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are all part of the new Climate package, which is exclusive to the Core level. The new Lounge package is available on the Ultimate trim level and includes a headliner that looks like Nubuck suede and massaging front seat backrests. A Harman Kardon audio sound system, a head-up display, and wheels measuring 20 inches for the Core and 21 inches for the Plus trims are among the new optional features.

At what speeds can the XC90 be driven?

The XC90 is a very easy vehicle to drive. We put the plug-in hybrid Recharge T8 through its paces. The robust electric help makes it simple to go from a leisurely pace around town to a rapid ascent to highway speeds. On our test track, the 0-60 mph dash took our test XC90 5.4 seconds. That is typical for high-end SUVs with three rows of seating.

The Volvo’s low-grip all-season tires are primarily to blame for the longer distance, although it was slightly longer than the segment average, when it came to emergency braking from 60 mph. The brakes are simple to modulate and allow for a controlled halt with ease.

Despite the XC90’s average handling, its all-wheel-drive technology makes it composed and sure-footed on the road. You can confidently tackle winding, beautiful back roads thanks to the XC90’s suspension, which keeps its substantial heft under control on nearly any surface.

How the Engine, Gearbox, and Performance Work

Volvo has electrified the XC90’s powertrain options to increase economy. A 48-volt electric motor is attached to a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, producing a combined output of 247 horsepower, even in the Core base model. This assists in the absence of a fully electric XC90 at this time. A 295-horsepower boost is yours with the B6 powerplant, which is standard on Ultimate and optional on Plus. The XC90 Recharge, with its 455 horsepower and 66 miles per gallon equivalent, is the most powerful and fuel-efficient model in its class. No XC90 trim or engine is complete without standard all-wheel drive and an automated eight-speed gearbox. At our test track, the T8 Recharge reached 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The Volvo leans slightly around curves, but its steering is accurate and the wheel has a nice weight that strikes a balance between feather-light and heavyweight, so it’s not bad for a tall car. Our test vehicle, which came with the optional air suspension, handled most road conditions admirably and offered a comfortable, well-insulated ride. There are a few gripes with the elegant XC90, the least of which is a little clattering from the chassis over really sharp bumps that indicate small road defects.

How comfortable is the XC90?

The seats are usually the most impressive part of a Volvo, but the one we tested had wool upholstery instead of the usual leather. Despite the novelty of the material, several of our editors felt the wool to be overly rigid due to its tight stretching. Also, the ride is rather stiff; you can feel every bump and dip in the road from where you sit. In our opinion, the leather seats would be the most comfortable option due to their plusher padding, ventilation (unlike the wool seats), and somewhat smaller wheels.

Putting those minor complaints to one side, the XC90 was an excellent cocoon. The XC90’s interior exudes a sense of high quality, which further enhances its legitimacy as a contemporary luxury SUV. Outside noise and errant vibrations are kept to a minimum.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Keep in mind that not all XC90s can handle the model’s maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds, so be careful if you plan on hauling boats, trailers, or other toys. The XC90 PHEV and any XC90 with the 295-horsepower B6 engine can tow that much, but even the base model with the 247-horsepower Core B5 engine can only tow 4000 pounds. The number of passengers in your XC90 is irrelevant to these ratings; what matters is the powerplant.

How’s the interior?

The cabin of the XC90 is roomy and offers great vision with its large windows. While the front two rows are plenty roomy, the third row should be reserved for toddlers and smaller children. Additionally, getting in and out is a breeze, and vehicles equipped with air suspension allow you to swiftly lower the ride height while getting in or out.

Our one and only complaint about the XC90’s cabin has always been its lack of user-friendliness. Because there are no obvious physical buttons, navigating the infotainment system is a pain, and fiddling with the system’s deep settings is a surefire way to divert your focus from the road. It would be great if Volvo used tactile shortcut buttons for its infotainment system.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The XC90’s fuel economy is comparable to that of many of its six-cylinder rivals, with the exception of its T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. According to the EPA, XC90s equipped with the 295-horsepower B6 engine gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, whereas those with the 247-horsepower B5 engine get 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The XC90 Recharge T8 has a maximum electric range of 36 miles and an EPA-rated 66 MPGe. Our real-world highway fuel-economy test at 75 mph showed that the XC90 Recharge did not live up to its EPA rating, with only 58 MPGe and 29 miles of battery power. Check out the EPA’s website for more details on the XC90’s gas mileage.

How’s the tech?

With the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system, the XC90 is sure to please audiophiles. It has one of the greatest sound systems for cars on the market today, in our opinion. There are a lot of features on the XC90’s infotainment interface, but it may be annoying at times. The interface with Google makes navigation a breeze, and their voice recognition is unparalleled. Included as well is Apple CarPlay.

Top-notch driver aids are available on Volvos. Engaging the adaptive cruise control is a breeze, and it keeps consistent spacing and makes speeding up or slowing down a breeze as well. When it comes to maintaining your lane, the system is also very accurate.

Infotainment and Connectivity

All XC90s are equipped with a sleek 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that mimics a tablet and is surprisingly easy to use. A mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is available as an add-on, although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models. Including additional redundant hard buttons could enhance the system.

Volvo XC90 Best models