Facelifted 2025 Volvo XC90 arrives

UPDATE, 26/05/2025: Volvo Cars Australia has announced the pricing of its majorly updated XC90 large SUV with the new family hauler set to be offered in two forms from $104,990 plus on-road costs.

That starting figure applies to the entry-level 2025 Volvo XC90 Ultra B5 Bright and inflates to $130,990 for the flagship Ultra T8 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).

Headline equipment on the former includes black 21-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, a hands-free tailgate, power-adjustable front seats with memory, power-folding rear headrests, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, while active safety features include adaptive cruise control, front and rear AEB, Pilot Assist, lane keeping and blind sport information system with cross traffic alert to name a few.

The PHEV builds on this with 22-inch wheels, a panoramic roof, Bowers & Wilkins audio system, active air suspension, roof rails and a series of black cosmetic enhancements.

Original, 09/09/2024: The heavily revised 2025 Volvo XC90 large SUV has been revealed as a petrol-electric sibling to the all-new battery-electric EX90.

Claimed to introduce “fundamental changes” over the outgoing model, the latest XC90 is a comprehensive facelift of the existing second-gen Swedish family hauler introduced back in 2014.

Intended to continue rivalling the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 for the foreseeable future in the wake of cooling global EV sales, the XC90’s latest update sees the adoption of a full range of electrified powertrains comprising two mild-hybrids and a flagship plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The mild hybrids are revised versions of previous 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines and now output 184kW and 221kW in B5 and B6 guises respectively, the latter aided by an electric supercharger.

Volvo says the systems will use between 8.5-8.9L/100km on the WLTP cycle.

The PHEV meantime pairs a similar 1.0-litre turbo-petrol mill with an electric motor and a 19kWh lithium-ion battery pack for combined outputs of 355kW/709Nm and an all-electric driving range of up to 71km.

Zero-100km/h takes a claimed 5.4 seconds while a full tank of fuel and full battery will supposedly see the big seven-seater cover up to 800km.

The new systems power a new EX90 and EX30-inspired body headlined by a pair of slimmer headlamps, new bumpers, a diagonal-slatted grille and refreshed taillights, however the interior is a little more subtle in its revamping.

Inside you’ll find a 11.2-inch portrait-mounted infotainment (up from nine inches), revised air vents and an overall more horizontal theme incorporating a new ambient lighting system.

Other, less obvious, changes include more storage space within the centre console, a new small drink holder between the existing large central cupholders and a relocated wireless phone charger.

Benefiting from new tech, the all-new infotainment system is powered by Android Automotive software and comes with built-in Google services.

Engineers claim the new XC90 to be quieter and more comfortable than ever before thanks to new sound insulation, revised suspension settings and new adaptive dampers, however things can be taken a step further with the optional new air suspension which scans the road 500 times per second to ‘pre-arm’ the dampers for the next road irregularity.

Wheel sizes range from 20 to 22 inches.

A more luxurious six-seat version will be offered in some markets, but Volvo says in the mild-hybrids offer up to 680 litres of luggage space behind the second row and 302 litres behind the third, with both figures falling to 640 litres and 262 litres respectively for the PHEV.

Production and first European deliveries of the 2025 Volvo XC90 will start later this year, with Australian vehicles expected to arrive Down Under around April 2025 to coincide with the launch of the EX90.

Originally, Volvo Cars Australia said it would switch to being an all-electric brand as of 2026 but following in the wake of the car-maker’s global decision to include hybrids from 2030, it’s thought its local outpost will now follow suit.

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