The Volvo XC90 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars since 2002 and in its second generation.
The first generation was introduced at the 2002 North American International Auto Show and used the Volvo P2 platform shared with the first generation Volvo S80 and other large Volvo cars. It was manufactured at Volvo's Torslandaverken in Sweden. Volvo moved production equipment of the first generation to China and ended Swedish production at the end of 2014, renaming the car as the Volvo XC Classic (or Volvo XC90 Classic).
At the end of 2014, the second generation XC90 was introduced. It is based on a new global platform, the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). Both generations of the XC90 have won Motor Trend's SUV of the Year award in their debuts.
In late 2022, the electric-only EX90 was introduced as the successor of the XC90. However, in September 2024, Volvo launched the second facelift of XC90, and stated that both models would be sold together for the foreseeable future.
Contents
First generation (2002)
In January 2001, Volvo debuted its Adventure Concept Car at the North American International Auto Show, to gauge reaction to the styling and features of its upcoming SUV. In November 2001, Volvo released a teaser image showing the frontal styling of the production version, named the XC90. Notable as Volvo's first SUV model, the styling of the XC90 recalled the concept. In January 2002, the full XC90 unveiling occurred, at the North American International Auto Show. Production began in August 2002, after Volvo's traditional mid-year shutdown, with the first XC90s coming out of the Torslanda factory in Sweden.
At its North American launch for the 2003 model year, the XC90 was presented with a choice of two trim levels, the 2.5 T and the T6. The 2.5 T was the entry level version and offered a 2.5-litre B5254T2 "T5" turbocharged inline-five engine, producing 208 hp (155 kW; 211 PS) and 236 lb⋅ft (320 N⋅m) mated to an Aisin co-developed five-speed AW55-50/51 automatic. The T6 offered a 2.9-litre B6294T twin-turbocharged inline-six with 268 hp (200 kW; 272 PS) and 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m) mated to a GM-sourced, Volvo-modified four-speed 4T65EV/GT automatic. While the 2.5T came standard with front-wheel drive, a Haldex Traction all-wheel drive (AWD) system was optional. The T6 was offered only with the AWD system.
A Yamaha V8 engine was added in 2005, whose 4.4-litre Volvo B8444S engine produced 232 kW (315 PS; 311 hp) and 325 lb⋅ft (441 N⋅m) of torque. Volvo sold just over 40,000 XC90 units in North America that year.
The XC90 won the North American Car of the Year award and Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for 2003.
Jeremy Clarkson, ex-host of Top Gear, has previously owned three XC90s, and claims they were designed by "someone who must've had children due to its practicality."
Facelifts
The XC90 was freshened for 2007 with a facelifted front and rear and a revised interior. The 175 kW (235 hp) 3.2 L SI6 straight-6 engine replaced the 155 kW (208 hp) B524T2 straight-5 in the base model for the US market. The 2007 XC90 debuted in April 2006 at the New York Auto Show.
For model year (MY) 2009, the XC90 received a new rear logo, featuring larger lettering with wider spaces between the "VOLVO" letters.
In 2010, all XC90 models received painted wheel arches (previously they were optional). In addition, a new, larger, circular Volvo logo appeared on the front grille.
For MY 2012, new LED tail-lights became available on certain models, although entry-level models retain the previous style. For MY 2013, the XC90 received a cosmetic refresh that included standard LED daytime running lights and taillights, and exterior revisions including body colour bumpers, rocker panels and silver trim replacing black plastic trim.
The refreshed model went on sale during late spring 2012 with a base price of US$40,395 for a front-wheel drive base model. For the 2014 model year the base price is US$39,700.
First generation models
In 2001 Volvo became the main sponsor of an around-the-world sailing race, now called the Volvo Ocean Race. The 2005 edition was the first in which all competitors used the same boat known as the Volvo Open 70, a 21.5 m (71 ft) racing yacht made for a crew of 10+ and to be robust enough to survive the open ocean.
In early 2006, Volvo released a special version called Ocean Race Edition. Special blue colour, leather interior with contrast stitching and special interior trim. A total of 800 were made.
Between 2006 and 2008 Volvo released the Sport trim, which eventually came to bridge the gap between the R series that was available for the S60 and V70, and the R design badge that ultimately usurped the R series.
In the XC90 Sport, the engine was rated at the same power as in the non-Sport XC90s, but the suspension was markedly stiffer due to different shocks and added roll bars, giving it considerably less body roll in curves. Also, the power steering was tweaked to provide a more direct feel at higher speeds. Furthermore, it borrowed the blue background for the odometer in the dash and got 5-spoke Vulcanis rims. The Sport was marketed in Passion Red and also available in Black Sapphire, Titanium Grey and Electric Silver.
The first generation Volvo XC90 was sold in China as the XC Classic. It was produced at the Volvo factory located in Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, with necessary tooling shipped from Sweden. Equipment levels were changed compared to the international versions, and only one engine, a 2.5L turbo petrol 5-cylinder engine with 220 hp, was available. All XC Classic models came with AWD as standard and either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. It was priced below the second generation XC90.
Safety
The Volvo XC90's front end is designed to absorb frontal impacts and also deflect any pedestrians up on to the hood of the vehicle rather than underneath the vehicle. Volvo has patented the unique frontal structure that features crumple zones, and predetermined positions for the engine and other ancillaries during a frontal impact.
The XC90's roof is reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel to help prevent a collapse in the passenger cavity in the event of a roll-over. This Volvo system is marketed as ROPS, and is closely associated with the Roll Stability Control (RSC), electronic stability control (DSTC), and SIPS systems of Volvo to prevent and ultimately minimise accident forces. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration measures the roll-over risk of the 2013 XC90 as 17.9%. The maximum sideway thrust is 0.77g.
The XC90's rear structure has been designed to absorb impact energy, with occupants are also protected by a whiplash protection system. Marketed as WHIPS, the system cradles the occupants during a rear-end collision.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Volvo XC90 their Top Safety Pick award. The XC90 was granted the IIHS's rating of "good" in front, side, rear and roof strength tests and has Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment to receive the award.
The industry-first Roll Stability Control was first introduced in XC90 in 2003.
At the end of July 2007, Volvo Car Corp. announced the recall of 42,211 2005 model year XC90s for risk of battery short circuit and fire. The vehicles were manufactured in the Swedish Torslanda Plant between 7 June 2004, and 13 May 2005. The recall only applies to cars in the US and Canada. There have been no reports of short circuiting in the vehicles.
1 vehicle structure rated "Good"
2 strength-to-weight ratio: 4.51
3 seat/head restraint geometry rated "Good"
Second generation (2015)
In May 2012 Volvo announced that the second generation XC90 would go into production in late 2014, unveiled to the public in Stockholm on August 26, 2014, with orders being taken in 2014 and the vehicle officially going on sale in 2015. The SUV would be sold in Europe, Asia and North America, with the United States expected to account for at least a third of global sales.
In 2006, Volvo had begun development of a second generation XC90 using Ford's EUCD platform under the codename Y305, but was cancelled in 2008 as Ford and Volvo were facing strong financial hardships due to the global economic turndown and lack of resources to meet stricter fuel economy and emissions regulations.
The XC90 is based on Volvo's new platform, marketed as Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology which features a stronger platform offering weight reduction while improving safety and efficiency.
The vehicle is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor. All engines in the XC90 are 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains with Volvo's eight-speed Geartronic transmission, delivered by Aisin. The line-up include two petrol engines: a twincharged 320 hp (239 kW; 324 PS) T6, producing 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) of torque and a turbocharged 254 hp (189 kW; 258 PS) T5, producing 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) of torque, two diesel engines: a twin turbo 235 hp (175 kW; 238 PS) D5, producing 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) of torque and a turbocharged 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) D4, producing 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) of torque. The top-of-the-line model is the XC90 T8 Twin Engine, a plug-in hybrid which combines the more powerful petrol engine at the front with an electric motor at the rear to produce 400 hp (298 kW; 406 PS) and 640 N⋅m (472 lb⋅ft) of torque.
The First Edition of the all-new Volvo XC90, was 1,927 individually numbered cars only available for sale via digital commerce, and sold out in 47 hours after orders opened on 3 September 2014. All 1,927 of the First Edition models, which could feature either the Petrol T6 or Diesel D5 engine, were finished in Onyx Black and feature 21-inch alloy wheels and include every available vehicle option. The limited production run number represents the year the Swedish brand was launched, with each model fitted with uniquely numbered tread plates and a distinctive rear mounted badge, with customers able to select their XC90 First Edition numbers. Number 1 was allocated to Carl XVI Gustav, the King of Sweden, with number 10 going to Zlatan Ibrahimović, a Swedish professional footballer.
Design
The new XC90 has a redesigned chassis with double wishbone front suspension and a new integral link rear axle incorporating transverse leaf spring of lightweight material. The new XC90 can also be equipped with electronically controlled air suspension with a choice of five modes.
The interior features a 9" tablet-like touch screen control console along with steering wheel controls and voice-control system, all linked to an interface, marketed as Sensus, which allows for access to cloud-based apps including Internet radio, connected navigation, parking, music streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hot spot for using a tablet in the car. Other features include a gear lever made of Orrefors crystal as well as diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and drive mode control, located on the centre console between the driver and passenger seats.
The highest level audio system in the XC90 features a 1400W Class-D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers as well as one of the first air-ventilated subwoofers in a car. Integrated into the car body, it turns the entire interior space into a large subwoofer. The latest sound processing software has been used to manage the timing of the sound and co-ordination of the speakers.
The vehicle's seats have also been redesigned with adjustable side bolsters, seat cushion extension and massage. The second row features three individual seats with recline adjustment. A sliding function can be used to create more legroom for the passengers in the third row or to increase loading space. An integrated child booster cushion in the centre seat is available. The Volvo XC90 seats five people in two rows of seating or seven people in three rows of seating. The five-seat layout version of the XC90 was discontinued after the 2017 model year, as third-row seating was made standard on all Volvo XC90s regardless of trim level and powertrain choice (with the exception of the Excellence Trim level) from the 2018 model year. Second-row captain chairs, which eliminates the centre seat in the second row and reduces capacity to six people, became optional on the Volvo XC90 in 2019 for the 2020 model year.
Volvo Cars' air purification system has been improved by adding a new carbon filter for more efficient capture of small, particles and pollen in the incoming air. The second generation XC90 offers a 360-degree view system capable of providing the driver with a birds-eye view, whereby information from all cameras is gathered and digitally integrated in a central processor to form a 360-degree image. The rear sensing system, marketed as Park Assist Pilot, offers automatic reversing into a parking bay.
Safety
The Second Generation Volvo XC90 SUV feature (IntelliSafe), including Run-off-road protection package and Auto brake at intersection.
The Volvo XC90 safety systems include:
Run-off-road protection package. In a run-off-road scenario, the all-new Volvo XC90 detects what is happening and the front safety belts are tightened to keep the occupants in position. To help prevent Spinal cord injury, energy-absorbing functionality between the seat and seat frame cushions the vertical forces that can arise when the car encounters a hard landing in the terrain.
City Safety with auto brake in intersections. The XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. This is a common scenario at busy city crossings as well as on highways, where the speed limits are higher.
IntelliSafe with City Safety has become the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars' auto brake Collision avoidance functions, which are standard equipment in the new XC90. This equipment now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car during both day and night.
Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist traffic jam assistant enables safe and comfortable semi-autonomous driving by automatically following the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic. Acceleration, braking and now also steering are controlled automatically.
A lane departure warning system includes a semi-autonomous drive technology, Pilot Assist II as standard on the XC90 in selected markets for the 2017 model year.
The Volvo brand has also made the claim that "By 2020, nobody shall be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo."
Euro NCAP tested a 2015 XC90 (model year 2016), 5-door SUV with standard equipment. Euro NCAP regards the XC90 model as a "best in class" performer. NHTSA only recorded for rollover.
T8
The T8 plug-in hybrid version of the XC90 is based on technology used in the Volvo V60 PHEV. The batteries, which are situated at the centre of the vehicle, can be charged using an electric vehicle charger and can also store energy recovered by regenerative braking. Volvo says that the XC90 T8 sacrifices no passenger or cargo space to accommodate the hybrid equipment. However, the tank capacity was reduced to 50 litres (13.2 US gal; 11.0 imp gal) for 2016–2018 models and the spare tire was removed.
The vehicle emits 49 g/km of CO2 and has an all-electric range of 43 km (27 mi) under the New European Driving Cycle. Normal driving is conducted in the default hybrid mode, but the driver can switch to a mode that uses only electric power, with zero emission driving. Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests, at launch, the XC90 T8 had an all-electric range of 14 miles (23 km), with some petrol consumption (0.1 gal/100 mi), so the actual all-electric range was rated between 0 to 13 miles (0 to 21 km).
The EPA, under its five-cycle tests, rated the 2016 model year XC90 T8 energy consumption in all-electric mode at 58 kWh per 100 miles, which translates into a combined city/highway fuel economy of 53 miles per gallon petrol equivalent (MPG-e) (4.4 L/100 km (64 mpg‑imp) petrol equivalent). When powered only by the petrol engine, EPA's official combined city/highway fuel economy is 25 mpg‑US (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg‑imp).
At launch, for the 2016 model year, the XC90 T8 used a 9.2 kWh (33 MJ) lithium-ion battery (6.7 kWh (24 MJ) usable). Over time, Volvo continued to gradually increase the battery size. In 2017, for the 2018 model year, it was increased to 10.4 kWh (37 MJ) (8.0 kWh (29 MJ) usable); for the 2020 model year, it was increased to 11.6 kWh (42 MJ); and for the 2023 model year, it was increased to 18.6 kWh (67 MJ).
Deliveries of the XC90 T8 PHEV began in the United States in August 2015. Sales in Europe totaled 2,653 units in 2015. Cumulative sales in the US totaled 488 units up until February 2016. According to Volvo, sales of the plug-in variant represent 20% of Volvo XC90 global sales by mid-March 2016.
In 2021, the T8 powertrain was updated with a more powerful electric motor (delivering 107 kW (143 hp; 145 PS)), updated engine and increased battery capacity (18.8 kWh (68 MJ)).
Trim levels
The second-generation Volvo XC90 is available in three distinct trim levels: Momentum, R Design, and Inscription. Momentum is the "base" design, and does not include features such as full leather-trimmed seating surfaces, woodgrain interior trim, or a GPS navigation system as standard equipment. The R Design features "Nubuck" upholstery and a sports exterior body kit, as well as dark trim accents on the exterior and interior. Inscription is the top-of-the-line design, and features full perforated Napa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, woodgrain interior trim, dual heated front, optional heated outboard rear seats, and additional bright accents on the exterior. For 2017, an "Excellence" trim was introduced (see below) with the "T8" plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain as standard equipment, as well as additional luxury features.
For 2017, a new "Excellence" trim level was introduced as a luxury-oriented version of the XC90. The Excellence offered a four-passenger (front/rear) seating configuration, which included rear "lounge" bucket seats that were heated and ventilated. Additional features included the Bowers and Wilkins premium surround-sound audio system with amplifier, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a dual-pane panoramic power moonroof, rear seat entertainment system, and the "T8" plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. There were a limited number of additional options available for the Excellence trim. The Excellence trim was discontinued following the 2020 model year, leaving the Inscription as the top trim level of the XC90.
2019 facelift
In February 2019, for the 2020 model year, the XC90 received a mid-cycle facelift. The facelift included revised front and rear fascias includes a new front grille design, new exterior colours, new wheel designs, the Sensus infotainment system became compatible with Android Auto, and the addition of a new kinetic energy recovery braking system.
For the 2021 model year, the "T8" powertrain was renamed the "XC90 Recharge".
In 2022, for the 2023 model year, the base Momentum was replaced with the Core and Plus models depending on options, the R Design replaced with Plus and Ultimate models optioned with the Dark Theme, and the Inscription replaced with Plus and Ultimate models optioned in the Bright Theme. The range now included various previously cost-extra options as standard features.
In 2023, Volvo removed conventional engines as an option, meaning mild hybrids are the base engine option in the US, denoted with a "B" distinction.
In March 2024, the XC90 was the final Volvo car built with a diesel engine.
2024 facelift
In September 2024, for the 2025 model year, the XC90 received another facelift. Changes include a redesigned front fascia with new headlights and grille design, a modified front bumper, updated tinted LED taillights, a new 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, increased interior storage spaces with a repositioned wireless charging pad, the dashboard features redesigned air vents and decorative materials made from recycled materials, and increased sound insulation. For 2025, the Ultimate trim was renamed Ultra.
Asian markets
Volvos sold in Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam are all imported from Malaysia's Volvo factory in Shah Alam.
The XC90 has also been selling in India since September 2015 coming from the Volvo plant in Bengaluru, India.
Awards and recognition
Motor Trend's 2003 SUV of the Year
Motor Trend's 2016 SUV of the Year
Yahoo Autos 2016 Tech Ride of the Year
Yahoo Autos 2016 Ride of the Year
2016 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year - Detroit Motor Show 2016
2015 Best AWD SUV - Australia's Best Cars
2016 South African Car of the Year
The 2016 XC90 was named one of the top ten tech cars in 2016 by IEEE Spectrum.