The all-electric EX90 won’t spell the end for Volvo’s largest petrol SUV—the XC90 is still around. A new-generation model isn’t on the horizon, but the current luxury car is getting a new look. It follows an update introduced in 2019 that features a few revisions inside and out.
Despite being a decade old, the second-generation XC90 has aged gracefully. There are few changes to the exterior, with a new grille design flanked by slightly revised headlights with revised LED daytime running lights. The front bumper has also been modified with vertical air vents, while the lower air intakes extend further than before. At the rear, Volvo has retained the familiar taillight shape but updated the light pattern.
Volvo
More significant changes occur inside, where the previous 9.0-inch infotainment system is gone. For 2025, a larger 11.2-inch touchscreen takes center stage. It’s no longer centered in the dashboard; it looks like a tablet jutting out from the dashboard. In addition to having a larger diagonal, the screen looks sharper after increasing the pixel density by 21%. If you want a bigger screen, the EX90 has a large 14.5-inch infotainment system.
This new arrangement provides shortcuts to apps and controls on the home screen, making it quick and easy to access your preferred functions. Select the XC90 plug-in hybrid and all-electric driving modes with just a tap. Essentially, the new infotainment layout mimics Volvo’s latest layout, even though the XC90 has been around since 2014.
But wait, there’s more. Volvo claims it has added extra sound insulation to certain parts of the vehicle for a quieter cabin. Elsewhere, the dashboard features redesigned air vents and decorative panels made from recycled materials. The updated cabin now offers greater practicality with more storage space in the centre console, including additional cup holders. The wireless charging pad has been repositioned behind the centre tunnel so it’s no longer in the way after being separated from the storage area.
Volvo
Volvo is keeping quiet on technical specifications, but we do know that the diesel engine is gone. The plug-in hybrid promises a range of more than 43 miles on electric mode on the WLTP cycle and more than 497 miles after factoring in a tank of gas. In the United States, the old XC90 plug-in hybrid was rated by the EPA as having a range of 32 miles and a total range of 530 miles. In addition to selling the new XC90 as the T8 plug-in hybrid shown here, the Swedish automaker also has B5 and B6 variants with mild-hybrid setups.
The air suspension remains available, raising the SUV by 1.57 inches and lowering it by 0.8 inches. Active chassis technology monitors the road and vehicle 500 times per second to deliver an incredibly smooth ride.
Order books are already open and production is scheduled to begin towards the end of the year when customer deliveries begin. This new investment to keep the XC90 fresh and competitive tells us that petrol cars are not going away anytime soon.
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Volvo
