A few weeks ago, we drove a hopped-up version of the Volvo XC60, and this larger XC90 picks right up where that one leaves off.
The two share the same peppy powertrain. Of course, it’s more subdued in this bigger vehicle, but the grunt is still there.
This exact one is called the XC90 T8 AWD Ultra plug-in hybrid, with about 30 miles of all-electric range. It’s a late-breaking 2025.5 model year vehicle.
It’s also a real eye grabber in its Mulberry Red paint.
Inside, this XC90 has a snappy fabric-and-wood dash to go with lots of cream-colored leather. A center touchscreen controls most everything. Importantly, there’s cargo space even with the third row up.
But may I point out: this is only a six-passenger setup. You used to be able to fit six people in a plain-old car, if it had a front bench seat!
As I shake my fist at a cloud, check out some of these newfangled features:
- There’s an air purifier and a preconditioning function which can clean the cabin air before you get in and bring it up to whatever temperature you like.
- There’s an electric passenger compartment heater, so there’s no waiting for the engine to warm up in the winter to get your hot air.
- Volvo even touts an “air-ventilated subwoofer” which the automaker says “pulses very large amounts of air through an opening in the rear wheel arch for very low and undistorted bass tones.”
- J.D. Power says Volvo dependability is below average, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the XC90 top safety marks. The XC90 plug-in lists only a tire repair kit and no spare.
If you don’t want to dwell on that, you can read more of this:
- The Ultra trim gives you goodies including a heated steering wheel, headlamp cleaners and that Gray Ash wood décor that I mentioned previously, as well as ventilated nappa leather upholstery and front seats with electrically adjusted power side bolsters, to keep you firmly in place around the corners.
- The Lounge package, for $1,700, includes massaging front seats.
- A $3,200 premium sound system gives you 19 separate hi-fi speakers.
And Volvo says the $1,800 active air suspension “maintains ride height automatically and adapts each shock absorber to current road and driving conditions. At higher speeds, the air suspension lowers the vehicle automatically to reduce drag and enhance stability. An Off-Road mode increases ground clearance to facilitate driving on rough roads. And to make it easier to load or unload heavy items, you can lower the rear of the vehicle by pushing a button inside the load area.”
One feature this one didn’t have — that you can get — is a digital interior rear-view mirror. That uses a rear-facing camera to show what’s going on behind your car. Volvo says “the view is three times wider compared to a traditional rear-view mirror, and you can enjoy an uninterrupted rear view even if your load compartment is fully loaded.”
This XC90 Ultra comes in at $88,695 after shipping.
