Analysis: The 2025.5 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Bridges the Gap Between Gas and Electric
Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard wisely observed that life must be lived moving forward. However, many SUV buyers today may not be fully prepared for the upcoming era dominated by all-electric vehicles.
Volvo is prepared for the shift. The compact Volvo EX30 hatchback will soon be arriving in dealerships, while the luxurious Volvo EX90, a three-row electric SUV, offers a compelling argument for moving away from gasoline-powered vehicles.
Volvo has adjusted its goal of becoming fully electric by 2030. Instead of abandoning internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles entirely, the company will enhance its plug-in hybrid models and rely on them more significantly than initially intended.
In 2025, Volvo plans to enhance one of its top-selling models, a popular hybrid, to align with the growing trend of electrification. The 2025.5 Volvo XC90, which unusually debuts mid-year, will feature improved soundproofing, upgraded interior materials, a new touchscreen display with a modernized interface inspired by the EX90, and a redesigned suspension system. These changes will complement the refreshed look of both the front and back of the vehicle.
This isn’t a complete overhaul. The XC90 retains its recognizable feel without seeming outdated. This is crucial, as the plug-in hybrid, which is part of a series launched ten years ago, is set to become significantly more important for Volvo in the coming years.
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Test Drive Review of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid, Copenhagen
Volvo XC90: Elegant and Understated Beauty
The newest version of the XC90 features subtle updates both inside and out. The most noticeable change is the revamped front with a grille that has diagonal slats, reminiscent of the classic diagonal-bar design, enhanced by a more prominent logo. This is accentuated by bright trim and slim hammer-style LED matrix headlights. Designers have reshaped the hood and front fenders to complement the headlights, created new wheel designs, darkened the rear light tint, and introduced a rich new red color to highlight the updates.
What remains unchanged is the XC90’s robust yet elegant wagon design, along with the strong presence it exudes.
The alterations within the XC90 are more noticeable. Dominating the center of the dashboard is a new 11.2-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 9.0-inch display. Flanked by vertical air vents, the dashboard also features panels adorned with recycled fabric designed to harmonize with cut-aluminum speaker grilles and wood accents.
The updated lighting adds a dramatic flair to the finishes, featuring a white-wood theme that exudes a Hollywood Regency style. There is also a muted charcoal-gray design, but the standout is the nut-brown ash combined with cardamom-brown fabric. This combination evokes a pumpkin spice ambiance, perfectly appealing to the blue-burban households that the XC90 aims to attract with pinpoint accuracy.
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A test drive review of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle conducted in Copenhagen.
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV: A Taste of Electric?
On a foggy November morning near Copenhagen, I turned the ignition of the XC90 plug-in hybrid and embarked on a Google-guided drive over the Øresund bridge and tunnel, heading into southern Sweden. My goal was to discover if the refreshed XC90 offered any unexpected features, aside from being ideally suited for my current commuting needs, which involve frequent short trips and the occasional long journey, about once a month or less.
For those who prefer not to use a plug-in, the mid-2025 XC90 model continues to provide an option of a 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes with standard all-wheel drive. The same engine also comes in a turbocharged and supercharged variant, delivering 310 horsepower. Both versions incorporate mild-hybrid technology to enhance fuel efficiency. Initially, I took the base model for a spin, featuring the Ultra trim, which boasts a striking white wood finish and a stunning denim-blue woven interior. I navigated through miles of Swedish countryside effortlessly, even though the vehicle was equipped with large 21-inch wheels and lacked the optional air suspension.
The Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) suits my typical driving routine more effectively, particularly because there’s a free, slow charging station just a short five-minute walk away. It’s easy to understand why Volvo refers to the XC90 T8 as its “backup plan.” This model enhances the standard supercharged turbo-4 engine found in other versions by including a 18.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, of which 14.7 kwh is usable. This battery is consistent with what Volvo has used in many of their updated plug-in hybrid models. With an added 145 horsepower and 228 pound-feet of torque alongside the engine’s capacity, the total output of 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque can propel the hefty SUV, which weighs nearly 5,000 pounds, from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 5.0 seconds. Additionally, it offers an EPA-estimated 33 miles of driving on electric power alone.
That’s equivalent to half a week’s driving on electric power for me, and today it takes me through the southern regions of Sweden, featuring all the diacritical marks any aspiring linguist would appreciate. Although the powertrain remains the same, the upgraded interior includes dense acoustic glass and noise-reducing materials that diminish road noise. This creates room for the exceptional sound quality of the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, complemented by the music of Fleetwood Mac.
The XC90 PHEV is equipped with a 6.4-kilowatt charger that allows it to fully recharge its battery in approximately five hours when using a Level 2 charging station. Additionally, the vehicle offers various driving modes to help save battery power for future use. Currently, there is no information regarding the introduction of a Tesla-compatible NACS charging port, which would significantly increase the charging possibilities in my area. For myself and numerous other motorists, the XC90 PHEV essentially functions as an all-electric vehicle.
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Test Drive Review of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid in Copenhagen
2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid: Smooth and Balanced Driving Experience
In situations where electric power alone isn’t sufficient, the vehicle allows you to switch between various driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Off-Road, and Constant All-Wheel Drive, in addition to the Pure Electric mode. After using up nearly all the battery, the engine quietly engages and I opt for the Hybrid mode to maintain a consistent speed.
The XC90 boasts a net 455 horsepower, yet it doesn’t push boundaries. It is quick in a noticeable and measurable way, but its hefty weight combined with a finely-tuned 8-speed automatic transmission results in a steady and predictable power delivery. The battery compensates for any potential torque gaps caused by turbo lag. The vehicle’s power is robust without being overpowering, and the transitions between power sources are notably smooth. The “B” drive mode activates increased regenerative braking, though it doesn’t eliminate the need for the brake pedal entirely as a true one-pedal driving experience in an electric vehicle might.
Regarding its performance and control, opting for the air-suspension upgrade in the XC90 brings immediate and widespread benefits. While the standard model’s multi-link front and integral-link-and-leaf rear suspension occasionally struggled with rough road surfaces, the air suspension effectively smoothed them out, even with winter tires equipped for the expected harsh weather. It offers a ground clearance ranging from 8.1 to 8.5 inches and has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. However, in this region of the Baltics, challenging driving conditions are largely limited to muddy country farm paths.
The XC90 is ideally suited for road use. Its steering is light and lacks significant feedback, but it excels in ride quality by effectively smoothing out road imperfections. This contributes to a composed driving experience on curvy routes. The suspension system is so well-tuned that it makes the more complex systems found in larger Mercedes and BMW SUVs, such as active anti-roll damping, appear unnecessary.
Test Drive Review of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid in Copenhagen
Test Drive Review of the 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid in Copenhagen
Test Drive Review of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid in Copenhagen
Test Drive Review of the 2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid in Copenhagen
2025.5 Volvo XC90 Embraces Google, Maintains Apple CarPlay Compatibility
The interior of the XC90 remains unchanged, offering a spacious cabin experience. It retains its length of 195.0 inches and a wheelbase of 117.5 inches. Buyers can choose between a seven-seat arrangement featuring a bench seat in the middle row or a six-seat version where the bench is swapped out for individual captain’s chairs.
Volvo illuminates the interior with a wide glass roof, enhancing the comfort of passengers for extended journeys with top-tier seating. The front seats feature deep bottom cushions, optional cooling and massage functions, and provide nearly ideal firmness even in the standard model. The Nordico synthetic leather, made by Volvo, has a quilted design for aesthetics, but the recycled material in the base model I tested looked even more appealing—reminiscent of the classic denim jeans you might discover on Japanese eBay.
The front seats feature an updated center console equipped with a wireless pad for charging smartphones, along with two cupholders that can be concealed by a sliding cover. Those sitting in the second row, which offers captain’s chairs, benefit from cupholders, heated seats, and a middle opening leading to the third-row seats. However, individuals of medium or larger build may want to avoid the rear-most seats.
There’s not quite enough space for taller individuals to sit comfortably in both the second and third rows simultaneously, with legroom measurements of 36.6 inches and 31.9 inches, respectively. Every XC90 model includes three rows of seating, but the back two rows can be collapsed to expand the cargo area. This transformation increases storage capacity from 9.3 cubic feet, when measured to the top of the rear window behind the third row, to an expansive 70.8 cubic feet behind the front seats, reminiscent of a Swedish Joad family journeying west with all their belongings.
From the driver’s perspective, Volvo’s comprehensive safety features now include audible alerts for speed limits, which can be turned off by tapping the left-side steering wheel control. Additionally, there are camera assists for parallel parking and the standard adaptive cruise control paired with Drive Pilot’s hands-free driving support. The revamped touchscreen has moved away from the Sensus operating system and its infrared-sensitive screen, opting instead for a traditional capacitive display with integrated Google services and an interface designed specifically for the EX90 EV. Despite its Google foundation, it still supports Apple CarPlay and offers the ability to receive updates wirelessly.
The revamped XC90 has a starting price of $59,745, featuring a range of standard equipment. This includes a mild-hybrid turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and seating for seven passengers. Additional features are a panoramic sunroof, power-operated tailgate, 20-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, Nordico synthetic leather upholstery with a quilted design, heated front seats, a dashboard with stitched details, an Orrefors crystal gear shifter, power-adjustable front seats, a 220-watt audio system, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, active lane-keeping assistance, and speed limit alerts. Opting for the six-passenger configuration costs an extra $500 across all models.
The XC90 Plus, priced at $63,485, offers features such as a booster seat in the middle of the second row, a surround-view camera setup, 21-inch wheels, audio and camera-assisted parallel parking, sound-insulating glass, and heated seats in the back. For an increased price of $68,245, the XC90 Ultra includes additional amenities like ventilated front seats with nappa leather upholstery, lumbar support for the front seats, a Harman Kardon sound system, electrically adjustable side bolsters and extended cushions for the front seats, as well as a head-up display.
There aren’t many choices available: front seats with a massage function, 22-inch rims, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, an air suspension setup, and that stylish navy herringbone-patterned upholstery.
The updated supercharged turbo-4 model is priced at $64,645 for the Core version, $67,445 for the Plus, and $71,845 for the Ultra. Meanwhile, the T8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is available for $74,295 for the Core, $77,095 for the Plus, and $81,495 for the Ultra.
Sharing some similarities with the 2025 version, the 2025.5 XC90 is set to hit dealerships in the early months of 2025. While it acts as a contingency for the electric vehicle era, many motorists find this alternative to be superior to most other options.
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Volvo covered the cost of our travel to allow us to explore the broader Copenhagen area and provide you with this test drive review.
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