2019 Volvo XC90 Road Test and Review

2018 Volvo XC90 R Design T8 hybrid front three quarter ・ Photo by Volvo

Although Volvo is best known for its wagons, these days the luxury automaker's best selling models are SUVs. And one of it most popular is its flagship, the 2019 Volvo XC90. Volvo last redesigned its largest and most expensive sport utility back in 2015. The XC90 hasn’t changed much since, but it remains a standout in its class with inspired style, an upscale interior, and an adventurous, fun to drive personality. It’s also one of just a handful mid-size luxury SUVs to be offered as a plug-in hybrid.

Built in Sweden, the second generation of the family-friendly seven-passenger XC90 competes very successfully against many popular, high-quality SUVs from around the world. Its list of rivals includes the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus RX, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Range Rover Sport, and the soon-to-be-released Lincoln Aviator and Cadillac XT6.

Three Models to Choose From

Volvo offers the XC90 in three models: T5, T6, and T8. There are also four trim levels: Momentum; R-Design, which adds a more aggressive grille; Inscription; and Excellence.

The base model is the T5 Momentum. It’s a five-seater with front-wheel drive, and it starts at $48,695, including a $995 destination charge. All-wheel drive is an extra $2,500. T5 models are powered by a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is sufficient. And all models come with a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The popular T6 model seats seven and starts at $57,295. It gets standard AWD and a 316-hp version of the 2.0-liter engine, which we prefer. The additional power drops the SUV’s 0-60 mph performance from 7.9 seconds to 6.6 seconds. With 400 hp, the T8 plug-in hybrid is the quickest and most fuel-efficient model, and of course it’s also the most expensive, with a base price of $67,995.

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Roomy Family-Friendly Interior

The 2019 Volvo XC90 offers more rear-seat room than many of its competitors. Its spacious interior seats seven easily and its third row is adult-friendly if you’re not carpooling with the Golden State Warriors. Rear passengers also appreciated our test vehicle’s rear air conditioning vents, rear climate controls, window shades, and heated rear seats that recline.

Parents will like the Volvo's easy-to-reach LATCH connectors in the outboard seats and an easily accessed upper tether anchors on the seatbacks. A cool optional extra is the ability to convert the second-row middle seat into a built-in booster seat for small children.

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Generous Cargo and Cupholders

Storage inside the Volvo’s interior is also generous. The center console bin isn’t cavernous, but it’s deep, and the door pockets and front seat cupholders are large.

The XC90 offers 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row seat, which splits 50/50 and easily folds flat. Behind the second row, which is split 40/20/40, the XC90 offers 41.8 cubic feet of space. With both rows folded out of the way, there’s an impressive 85.7 cubic feet behind the front seats, which was enough space to swallow the inversion therapy table my wife says I don’t use anymore. Among the Volvo's closest competitors, only the Acura MDX offers more maximum cargo space, with 90.9 cubic feet.

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Comfortable, Opulent Cabin

At the top of the XC90 range is the T8 Excellence, which starts at $105,895. With an MSRP of $85,690, which includes a considerable list of options, our T8 Inscription test car didn’t cost six figures, but it wasn’t exactly inexpensive. Fortunately, the Volvo’s interior lives up these lofty prices. Much like XC90’s exterior, its cabin is simple, understated, and exceptionally modern. It’s also very well appointed and extremely comfortable. In other words, it’s very Swedish. It’s also one of the warmest, most inviting cabins in this class.

Our test car’s heated seats were firm but comfortable. They also offered massage, which is part of the optional Luxury Package along with heated rear seats and heated steering wheel. Control placement is excellent and the quality of everything is impressive. None of the knobs and switches feel cheap or flimsy, and the walnut wood trim looks like it was reclaimed from artisan furniture. There’s even Nappa leather on the key fob.

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Impressive In-Cabin and Safety Tech

Standard on every XC90 is a large 9-inch screen, which looks and functions much like an iPad. The system responds to swiping and pinch to zoom, so it’s very intuitive to use. If you have a smartphone, you won’t have any issues. The system in our test car was Apple CarPlay compatible, and it offered an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. Navigation is standard; its graphics are crisp and the system is easy to program.

For those who want the XC90 to do some of the driving for them, Volvo offers its Pilot Assist-Semi Autonomous Drive with adaptive cruise control. The system operates the throttle, brakes, and steering, although it does ask you to touch the steering wheel often to make sure you’re still paying attention. It works wonderfully in stop-and-go traffic and can cruise the SUV down the interstate at 80 mph quite easily, although you’ll need to take over for offramps and any city driving.

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Smooth, Comfortable, and Responsive

The 2019 Volvo XC90 is a large vehicle, but it never feels like a school bus. It’s easily maneuverable in the city and crowded parking lots. Its steering is quick, and the XC90 is very responsive. The SUV’s air suspension provides athletic handling and smooth ride. All-wheel drive is standard on the T8, and the SUV’s optional 21-inch tires seemed to be glued to the road.

A favorite tech feature is the XC90’s Adjustable Drive-mode, which tunes the SUV’s driving dynamics to your desires of the moment. A selector on the console makes it easy to switch among its modes, which included Power, for more response and Pure, which maximizes fuel efficiency. We also played with Off-Road mode, which raises the suspension for additional ground clearance. Pretty cool.

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Powerful and Quick

Power from the T6’s supercharged and turbocharged engine is surprising considering it’s a four-cylinder in such a large vehicle. That model has plenty of thrust off the line and good passing power on the highway, especially in Dynamic mode.

The performance of the XC90 T8, however, is in another league. This SUV is just plain fast. The T8 combines the T6’s 316-hp supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with a small battery pack and electric motor for a combined maximum output of 400 hp. Off-the-line thrust will test your neck muscles, and passing on the highway is stress-free. You’ll leave that big road hog of truck in your dust. The T8 can also be driven about 14 miles using electric power alone. In Battery mode, which is selected by its shifter, the SUV is smooth and silent, yet it's still powerful and responsive.

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Strong Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is also very good for this class. As expected, the T8 hybrid model is the fuel-sipper of the bunch, with fuel economy ratings of 58 MPGe when you factor in its plug-in electric range or 25 mpg once that range is used up. Recharging the batteries takes about two and half hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger and about seven hours plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet. I averaged 24 mpg in our T8 test vehicle over a week of mixed driving, but in the city I often drove the SUV in Battery mode. For comparison, the seven-passenger Lexus RX 450hL Hybrid, which is not a plug-in, is rated at 29 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The gas-only T5 and T6 models are also very efficient. The front-wheel drive T5 is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, T5’s numbers drop to 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The significantly more powerful T6 is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Unfortunately, all the XC90 models require more expensive premium fuel, even the hybrid.

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Advanced High-Tech Safety Systems

Volvo is of course known for safety, and the 2019 XC90 scored the highest crash test rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Our XC90 test vehicle was also equipped with a comprehensive list of high-tech safety systems and driver aids. The Volvo featured front and rear parking sensors, a backup camera, a lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, a blind-spot warning system with a cross-traffic alert, and a forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The optional Advanced Package also added Park Assist Pilot, which will practically park the SUV for you, and a 360-degree surround view camera.

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Final Thoughts

Even after four years on the market, the 2019 Volvo XC90 remains one of our favorite SUVs in the mid-size luxury segment. It's visually striking, comfortable, it's family-friendly, and it’s as fun to drive.

Many will be tempted by the low starting price and standard features of the base T5 model, but its 250-hp engine might not satisfy you over time, especially if you plan to load the SUV with people and cargo. The more powerful engine in the T6 is worth the extra cost and small drop in fuel economy. But if you have the means, don’t hesitate to step up to the T8. Its plug-in hybrid system works as advertised, and its additional performance and features will impress.

Photo by Volvo