Volvo XC90

Even after nearly ten years, the XC90 remains one of the cleanest-looking luxury SUVs on sale, and honestly, that says a lot about how well this design has aged.

Unlike many modern luxury SUVs that desperately try to look futuristic or aggressive, the XC90 still feels beautifully restrained. The upright proportions, clean body surfaces and understated detailing give it an old-school luxury SUV character that feels increasingly rare today.

At the front, the new grille is flatter and wider, with diagonal detailing inspired by Volvo’s newer electric cars. The signature Thor’s Hammer LED DRLs remain, but the headlights are now slimmer and sharper, which gives the SUV a cleaner and more modern face. The bumper has also been redesigned with simpler lines that make the entire front look neater and more sophisticated.

From the side, the XC90 still carries that traditional upright SUV stance, and honestly, I’m glad Volvo hasn’t ruined it chasing coupe-SUV trends. The proportions are spot on. It looks substantial without looking bulky, and classy without trying too hard. The new 20-inch alloy wheels add freshness too, though the overall silhouette remains largely unchanged.

At the rear, changes are subtle. The tail lamps have been tweaked slightly, but unless you park it next to the older car, most people probably won’t notice immediately.

Although these updates are extremely subtle. To the average person, this could easily pass off as the same XC90 that has been around for years. And while some buyers may appreciate that timelessness, others spending over Rs 1 Crore may want their new luxury SUV to say something louder. Park it next to something like the newer BMW X5 or even the latest Mercedes-Benz GLE, and the Volvo immediately feels more classic and less contemporary.

At this point, the design feels more “gracefully aged” than genuinely fresh.

Unlike some luxury SUVs that prioritise softness at the cost of proper posture support, the XC90’s seats genuinely feel engineered around long-distance comfort. Even after spending hours behind the wheel, you step out feeling surprisingly fresh rather than tired. The seating position itself is excellent, too. 

Step inside the XC90, and within minutes, you understand why people fall in love with Volvos. The cabin doesn’t feel flashy or intimidating. Instead, it feels warm, calming and genuinely inviting.

This facelift introduces a redesigned dashboard with more horizontal layering, larger vertical AC vents and a much cleaner layout overall. The biggest highlight is the new 11.2-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, which now looks far more modern than the old setup.

At first glance, the XC90’s cabin still leaves a strong impression. The dashboard design is clean, calming and beautifully uncluttered, while the overall atmosphere inside feels warm and sophisticated in a way many German rivals still struggle to replicate. 

The quality of materials remains excellent too, with soft Nappa leather, tasteful metallic accents, elegant wood trims and the signature crystal gear selector all adding to the sense of understated luxury. 

What immediately stands out is the sense of space and airiness. The light colours, slim dashboard design and large glass area make the cabin feel open and lounge-like. The cabin is also extremely practical for family use. Visibility is excellent all around, storage spaces are generous, and the overall ergonomics are very easy to get used to.

That said, the interior is not perfect.

While the new touchscreen is much better than before, Volvo still relies heavily on it for climate functions and other controls. Physical buttons would have made daily usability better, especially while driving in traffic.

Also, while the cabin feels elegant, some buyers may still feel the Germans offer slightly more “wow factor” at this price. But personally? The XC90’s interior feels timeless in a way many modern luxury cars simply don’t.

Front Seats

If there’s one area where the XC90 still absolutely nails the luxury experience, it’s the front seats. These are easily among the best seats you can buy in any luxury SUV today, and they remind you why Volvo has always had such a strong reputation for ergonomics. The seats offer ventilation, massage functions, extendable thigh support, memory settings and excellent lumbar adjustment, but the real highlight is how natural and fatigue-free they feel over long journeys. 

You sit high enough to feel commanding, visibility all around is superb, and the overall driving environment feels calming and effortless rather than sporty or intimidating. And honestly, that perfectly sums up the XC90’s personality as a whole. It never tries to excite you unnecessarily; it simply tries to make your life easier and more comfortable.

Rear Seats

The second-row experience in the XC90 is good, but it no longer feels class-leading in this segment. Space levels are generous, and the cabin width makes it feel properly spacious for family use. The seats themselves are comfortable enough for long-distance journeys, while features like rear sunshades, four-zone climate control, charging ports, and reclining functionality add nicely to the premium experience. 

However, there are a few noticeable compromises now. The middle-row seat base feels slightly low-set, which means under-thigh support isn’t as generous as some rivals, especially for taller passengers. And while the cabin continues to feel airy and relaxing, it doesn’t quite deliver the ultra-luxurious rear-seat ambience that some buyers may now expect at this price point. Ingress and egress are easy, and one can step in and step out of the car easily, thanks to the perfect ride height and ground clearance.

Then there’s the third row. Yes, it remains one of the more usable third rows in the luxury SUV segment, and adults can manage shorter journeys without major complaints. But access is awkward, and spending extended hours there won’t be particularly comfortable for grown passengers. 

Still, compared to many luxury SUVs that merely pretend to be practical 7-seaters, the XC90 at least offers genuinely usable family-friendly packaging.

Practicality

This is where the XC90 quietly becomes one of the most sensible luxury SUVs you can buy.

There are storage spaces everywhere:

• Large door pockets

• Cupholders

• Centre console storage

• Wireless charging area

• Practical armrest storage

The cabin has clearly been designed keeping actual family use in mind rather than just aesthetics.

Even with all three rows up, there’s usable luggage room for soft bags. Fold down the last row, and the XC90 becomes seriously spacious.

Both second and third rows fold flat, creating a huge luggage area that makes the SUV genuinely practical for road trips and airport runs.

For everyday use, the XC90 continues to be one of the more sensible luxury SUVs in this segment. Volvo has clearly prioritised real-world usability over gimmicky design elements, and that becomes evident the more time you spend with the car. There’s plenty of storage space spread thoughtfully across the cabin, and all four door pockets are large enough to comfortably hold 1-litre bottles along with smaller everyday items like wallets, snacks or charging cables.

Up front, the centre console layout is clean and easy to use. You get neatly integrated cupholders that can be hidden away when not needed, helping maintain the cabin’s minimalist look. Ahead of that sits the wireless charging pad, which also doubles up as a practical storage area for your phone. There’s additional space around the console for smaller items like keys or sunglasses, while the large centre armrest storage can easily swallow bigger things like a wallet, power bank or other travel essentials.

The dashboard itself avoids unnecessary clutter, but practicality hasn’t been sacrificed in the process. The glovebox is decently sized for documents and smaller items, while rear passengers get seatback pockets along with a centre armrest featuring cupholders and additional storage spaces. What’s particularly nice is that nothing inside the XC90 feels designed purely for showroom appeal. Almost every storage area feels genuinely usable in day-to-day life.

Charging Options

The XC90 also covers the basics well when it comes to charging options. There are multiple USB Type-C charging ports spread across the cabin for both front and rear passengers, ensuring everyone can keep their devices topped up during long journeys. Front passengers also get a wireless charger, which feels convenient for daily use.

Apart from that, you also get additional charging provisions, including 2 x 12V sockets, making the XC90 practical enough for longer family road trips where multiple devices often need charging simultaneously.

Boot Space

Even with all seven seats in place, the XC90 offers a respectable amount of luggage room at 302 litres, which is surprisingly usable for 2-3 smaller bags. Fold down the third row, however, and the XC90 transforms into a genuinely spacious family SUV with a massive luggage area that can comfortably swallow a large suitcase, a medium suitcase, one small cabin trolley, 2 duffel bags and some travel essentials without much effort. Fold both the second and third rows flat, and the available space expands dramatically to over 1,800 litres, turning the XC90 into something almost estate car-like in terms of practicality, which you can use to even move a house.

The shape of the boot itself is also very usable. The loading lip is fairly manageable, the opening is wide, and the floor remains mostly flat once the seats are folded down, making it easy to load larger items. Whether it’s airport luggage, family road-trip gear or even furniture runs, the XC90 handles it all with surprising ease.

Features (3.5 out of 5)

The basics expected from a luxury SUV at this price point are all in place in the XC90. You get keyless entry, push-button start, electrically adjustable seats with memory function, four-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, cruise control, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers. Volvo has also equipped the cabin with an advanced air purifier system.

The biggest update inside the facelifted XC90 is the new 11.2-inch vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment system. Running Google-integrated software, the system feels significantly cleaner and easier to understand than before. The interface is simple, uncluttered and refreshingly straightforward compared to some German rivals that can often feel overly complicated or loaded with menus. Navigation through the system feels smooth enough, and built-in Google Maps integration works particularly well for daily usability.

Alongside it, you get a fully digital driver display and a heads-up display, both of which focus more on clarity and functionality rather than flashy graphics. In typical Volvo fashion, the layout remains minimal and easy to read without trying too hard to impress visually. The instrument cluster also mirrors Google Maps, making sure that the driver does not need to shift their gaze.

The powered front seats come with ventilation, massage functions and extendable thigh support, while the large panoramic sunroof helps make the cabin feel even airier and more relaxing. Premium Nappa leather upholstery further elevates the sense of luxury inside.

However, the standout feature in the entire cabin is undoubtedly the 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The clarity, richness and depth of the audio experience are exceptional, and combined with the XC90’s superb cabin insulation, it genuinely feels like a private concert hall on wheels. Other useful features include a crisp 360-degree camera system, which becomes especially handy considering the SUV’s size.

That said, the XC90’s age does show in certain areas. The biggest miss is the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay, which feels quite unnecessary in a luxury SUV at this price point in 2026. There’s also a heavy reliance on touchscreen controls for various functions, which can occasionally feel distracting while driving, especially in city traffic. And while the overall feature list remains strong, the XC90 no longer feels class-leading or particularly futuristic compared to newer rivals that now offer more advanced cabin tech and digital integration like a better digital instrument cluster.

• The XC90 packs all the safety features you’ll ever want and need, including multiple airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, and a host of autonomous driving assistance features (ADAS).

• While there’s no safety rating for facelifted XC90, the pre-facelift model did score a full five star rating from the Euro and Australian NCAP.

Engine Performance

India gets the XC90 only with the B5 mild-hybrid petrol powertrain. There is no diesel or full-hybrid on offer for the XC90, which honestly is a big let down, for a product of this segment.

Now, this is where opinions around the XC90 start becoming divided.

Because while the engine is perfectly adequate for everyday driving, it doesn’t quite feel special enough for a luxury SUV costing over Rs 1 crore.

City Performance

Inside the city, the XC90 feels smooth, refined and easy to drive.

Throttle response is progressive, visibility is excellent, and the SUV never feels intimidating despite its size. The mild-hybrid system also helps smooth low-speed driving nicely.

The engine delivers enough performance for daily use, and the gearbox works reasonably well most of the time. However, when you accelerate harder or try quick overtakes, you can sense the engine working harder than expected.

And that’s mainly because rivals offer larger six-cylinder engines that feel far more effortless. For the chauffeur-driven, this isn’t an issue at all. But should you get behind the wheel yourself, you’d perhaps like a bit more gusto.

Highway Performance

Out on the highway, the XC90 settles into its natural environment.

High-speed cruising feels extremely relaxed and stable. The cabin remains quiet, the seats remain comfortable and long-distance driving becomes genuinely effortless.

The engine has enough performance for overtakes, and the 0-100 kmph time of under 8 seconds is objectively quick. But emotionally, it still lacks the effortless punch and smooth reserve power you get from six-cylinder rivals.

This is not a performance-focused SUV, and Volvo clearly knows that. The XC90 is designed more for calm, comfortable cruising rather than aggressive driving.

Claimed fuel efficiency stands at around 12 kmpl, which is respectable for a luxury SUV of this size.

Ride Quality and Handling

The XC90 comes equipped with air suspension, and overall ride quality is good, though not perfect.

At lower speeds, you do feel a slight firmness over sharper potholes and broken patches. It’s comfortable, but not quite “magic carpet” plush like some buyers may expect.

However, as speeds increase, the XC90 feels superbly stable and composed. Highway ride quality is excellent, and the SUV maintains a very mature, controlled feel over long distances.

Handling is secure and predictable rather than sporty. Body roll is reasonably controlled, but this is not an SUV that encourages aggressive cornering. The steering is light and easy in the city, though it doesn’t offer much feedback. And honestly, that’s okay. Because the XC90’s character is not about excitement, it's more of a comfortable cruiser than an excited sprinter.

B5 Ultra

The XC90 lineup in India is fairly simple. It is offered only in one fully-loaded B5 Ultra variant.

Key highlights include:

• Air suspension

• All-wheel drive

• 11.2-inch touchscreen

• Panoramic sunroof

• Bowers & Wilkins audio system

• Level-2 ADAS suite

• Front Massage seats

• Four-zone climate control

• 360-degree camera

• Head-up display

Thankfully, Volvo hasn’t unnecessarily complicated the variant structure.

The Volvo XC90 is one of those luxury SUVs that still manages to feel deeply likeable despite its age. It remains incredibly comfortable for daily use, practical enough for genuine family duties, and wonderfully relaxing on long-distance journeys. Few SUVs in this segment deliver the same sense of calmness and understated luxury quite like the XC90 does.

For the right kind of buyer, that alone will be enough. The superb seats, elegant Scandinavian cabin, excellent safety package and genuinely usable 7-seat practicality still make the XC90 a very easy SUV to live with every single day. It feels mature, sensible and refreshingly human in a segment where many rivals now try too hard to impress with flashy technology and aggressive styling.

However, it is also impossible to ignore the fact that the XC90 now feels old in several areas. Despite the facelift, this is still fundamentally a 2015-era luxury SUV, and you can sense that in the cabin architecture, infotainment experience, feature set and even the drivetrain. Rivals today offer more modern platforms, stronger engines, more futuristic interiors and a greater sense of occasion overall.

In the end, the XC90 makes the most sense for buyers who value serenity over sportiness, subtlety over showmanship and comfort over cutting-edge technology. But if you’re expecting your Rs 1 crore luxury SUV to feel truly next-generation, the XC90 may leave you wanting more

Other Cars To Consider Instead Of XC90

BMW X5

Reasons to consider

• More engaging to drive

• Stronger engine options

• Sharper handling

Reasons to ignore

• Not as calming or relaxing

• Cabin feels busier

• Rear seat experience is average

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Reasons to consider

• Plush ride quality

• Excellent refinement

• Premium cabin experience

Reasons to ignore

• Some may find the interior design too flashy

• Third row not as usable

Audi Q7

Reasons to consider

• Comfortable and practical

• Smooth driving experience

• Strong value proposition

Reasons to ignore

• Interior feels older

• Outdated infotainment experience