Volvo XC90 : At a time when flash and flair dominate the proceedings, the Volvo XC90 carves out its own niche by embracing the exact opposite — understated elegance, purposeful simplicity and safety.
Although its German rivals may shout for attention with loud grilles and aggressive curves, the XC90 speaks softly in elegance with each curve and line. But is serene luxury enough in the fiercely competitive world of SUVs today?
This Swedish premium SUV has simplified the choice of a car for family use, with an evolution logic to electric performance combined with Scandinavian design, for “the single most important drive of your life.”
Volvo XC90 Design –
Simplicity and Grandeur United Though the Model 3 design is simple, it is still majestic.
The Volvo XC90 is not up in your face with over-the-top design. Instead, it wins you over with its crisp lines, muscular shoulder and the now famous “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlamps.
Not that the design was meant to shock, but to grow old gracefully, a test it has passed with flying colors.
It is the size of the large but never cumbersome. Signature from the rear are the vertical tail lamps and some use of chrome and large alloy wheels provide it just the right degree of bling – not too much.
Inside: Less is more vs. less is less
Hop inside and you fast realise that the XC90 is not your standard car. The cabin is calm, precise and restrained —which is what you want in a car from Scandanavia that bills itself as a luxury good.
Attention to detail abounds, with soft-touch leather, matte-finished wood trims and knurled knobs.
There is a 9-inch vertical infotainment screen that sits at the middle, with that control being for navigation, climate, music, and safety systems. It runs on Google’s Android Automotive OS, so users get full-blown Google Maps, Assistant and the Play Store natively — a step up from the competition.
Space-wise, the XC90 is a good specimen. It’s a real seven-seater, though the third row is more akin to children or short rides. The 2nd-row seats are ample and adjustable and there//s a panoramic sunroof that extends the sense of openness further.
Performance and Ride Comfort
Petrol engines are also available, a plug-in hybrid Recharge model is among the available versions and you have the choice of a mild-hybrid option for the XC90 too.
Relatively punchy for highway cruising is the 2.0L turbocharged petrol, which is joined by an electric motor on the Recharge for outputs upwards of 450hp.
It has a pure EV range of around 40–50 kilometers or so, making it perfect for city runs. The acceleration is linear and ride quality is plush even on bad roads, helped in part by air suspension on higher variants. But, the handling is configured more for comfort than sportiness.
Safety: Volvo’s DNA
This is where Volvo really excels. There’s safety as a feature on the XC90, and then there’s safety as a foundation. The SUV comes loaded with:
[Under the hood and in the cabin] City Safety (AEB)
Pilot Assist (driver assistance systems for semi-autonomous driving)
Lane-keeping Aid
Blind-spot monitoring
360-degree camera
Cross-traffic alert
It comes with a 5-star safety rating and the attention to no road deaths by 2030 that Volvo itself has programmed into the very fabric of the XC90.
Technology and Practicality
Along with Google integration the XC90 has:
Bowers & Wilkins premium audio Context Compat.
Front Seats: Heated and ventilated seats
Wireless phone charging
Multiple drive modes
Hands-free tailgate
Boot space is still generous with all three rows up — for families who do a lot of travelling.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Elegant, timeless design
World-class safety features
Premium, minimalist interior
Good battery-support hybrid performance
Smooth ride quality
(36) Google apps: navigation and voice actions.
Cons:
Not as sporty as some rivals
Third-row seats are snug for adults
Touch screen controls could be distracting on the road
Plug-in hybrid version is priced quite high
Very sparse dealer network few and far between in small towns
Volvo XC90 Verdict: The Luxury S.U.V. for the Rest of Us
The Volvo XC90 does not make any claims to being loud. It doesn’t attempt to overpower you with speed, overwhelm you with tire and brake technology cleverness, or blind you with technology gimmicks. Instead, it reflects human beings — their comfort, their safety, their way of life. It’s great for families, professionals — for anyone who wants intelligent design over marketing drama.
If you like your luxury SUV to feel safe, thoughtful and quietly confident, the XC90 warrants serious attention.