2025.5 Volvo XC90 B6 First Test: Hits and Misses of the Unexpected Update
The refreshed luxury three-row still drives nicely, but there's room for improvement in other areas.
Pros
- Excellent perceived quality
- Relaxing driving manners
- Beautiful interior materials
Cons
- Glitchy, frustrating tech
- Could use a Sport mode
- Noisy brakes
When MotorTrend named the Volvo XC90 the SUV of the Year back in 2016, we knew it was impressive—but this impressive? How could we have predicted it’d still feel modern a decade later?
0:00 / 0:00
At a vintage when most vehicles have already given way to a new generation, the XC90 has received an extensive refresh. Despite the basics being largely unchanged, they still feel suitably contemporary, quite a feat considering they were engineered more so many years ago. It's odd, then, that the new things Volvo added put the XC90 behind the curve against truly modern rivals.
Not Actually New
A skeptic might imagine that this XC90 refresh was never meant to happen. Instead, in one potential timeline it would have been canceled to make way for the EX90 three-row SUV introduced as part of Volvo’s all-electric transition plans.
But the Swedish automaker has had to reassess its strategy as EV realities settled in. Now it will continue producing combustion and hybrid powertrains for longer than it intended—hence, this effort in revitalizing its oldest model.
Whatever the case, the updated XC90 arrives for 2025.5 (yes, it’s designated that way; Volvo apparently couldn’t just call it a 2026). Aside from prominent changes like the restyled front end, dashboard, and door trim, it’s essentially the same as before, built on the same chassis available with engines carried over from prior model years.
Same Engine, Similar Results
Thus, performance is almost identical to that of equivalent models tested previously. This 2025.5 XC90 was equipped with the B6 engine: A super- and turbocharged, mild hybrid 2.0-liter I-4 powertrain that produces 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD.
At the track, the 2025.5 XC90 B6 posted a 0–60-mph acceleration time of 6.5 seconds on the way to a 15.0-second, 93.8-mph quarter mile. In full-force 60–0-mph braking, it stopped in 123 feet. On the skidpad, it gripped at 0.81 g average, and its best lap around our figure-eight handling course took 27.3 seconds at 0.65 g average.
For proof of how similar the 2025.5 XC90 is to before, here are the results from a 2023 XC90 B6: 0–60 in 6.8 seconds, a 15.2-second quarter mile at 92.6 mph, 60-mph braking also in 123 feet, skidpad grip of 0.82 g average, and a figure-eight lap of 27.4 seconds at 0.62 g average.
Still Solid
These results are just fine for a new luxury three-row SUV, as if track performance is a priority for any vehicle of this type. How it works in the real world is more important, and there the 2025.5 XC90 is quite nice.
A satisfyingly solid feeling pervades while you drive. The XC90’s body structure has tangible rigidity, clearly engineered to a standard of quality competitive with other European luxury brands and supportive of Volvo’s safety reputation.
Going down the road, that solid construction is evidenced by the assured steering responses, which make the entire body move as one rigid, cohesive unit. This XC90, like nearly every example we’ve assessed before, had an optional air suspension system, which colors our impressions of the ride quality. So equipped, however, the 2025.5 XC90 remains comfortably supple and quietly composed despite feeling more firm and less isolating than some air spring systems.
There’s a lot of complexity within the B6 engine, but it mostly delivers when it needs to. Rather than feel eager and powerful, it’s subdued and rich with torque, gradually easing the XC90 ahead with unstrained effort.
The mild hybrid system aids responsiveness at very low speeds, but that 13-hp boost doesn’t help much at higher speeds. There, the supercharger and turbocharger eventually combine to give a swelling surge of acceleration. It’s almost diesel-like.
Updated transmission tuning could enliven the experience. The eight-speed's shift quality isn’t an issue. Rather, it’s how the transmission seems programmed to select and hold the highest gear possible. With this, there’s reluctance in the powertrain; it’s sometimes necessary to preemptively execute a downshift by pressing the accelerator prior to making a maneuver.
Engaged drivers can negate this by using the manual shift mode, but a Sport mode would be a welcome addition in a future update. Customers who might prefer a sportier feel can choose the $1,400 Polestar Engineered Optimization tune, which is said to sharpen gear changes, accelerator responsiveness, and mid-range power delivery.
The short-stroke brake pedal is a bit light in its initial effort but builds into reassuringly firm, mechanical-feeling feedback. In our test 2025.5 XC90, easing off the pedal for smoothness just before a stop produced a brief creaking, groaning noise.
Tech Behind the Times
Nothing about how the 2025.5 XC90 drives hints at its age. If this SUV were to come out brand-new today, its mechanical fundamentals would feel sufficiently modern—it's actually remarkable how Volvo created such a durable foundation so long ago.
Instead, the 2025.5 XC90’s updated digital features show an area where Volvo has struggled to keep pace with the industry.
The XC90 now has an 11.2-inch touchscreen running an interface based on Google software and equipped with the tech giant’s familiar apps, along with a robust voice-controlled assistant.
Given the touchscreen integrates essentially every function, it should respond faster. Touch inputs are followed by a brief delay—again, brief but long enough to raise uncertainty whether your touch even registered, leading to occasional repeated, unintentional inputs. Normal smartphones from recent years respond much more quickly. Volvo is adding Qualcomm Snapdragon processors to the XC90’s infotainment for 2026, promising greatly improved touch responsiveness and load times.
Furthermore, our test 2025.5 XC90 had reliability problems with some basic tech functions. Bluetooth connectivity was spotty and eventually forgot the device it’d been connected to.
Stranger, however, was the approximately 24-hour period during which the XC90 made no noises at all—no music through the speakers, no warning beeps from its parking sensors, not even clicks when the turn signals were activated. The sounds eventually returned after the vehicle had been turned off and on again numerous times.
Additionally, operating parameters for the rearview backup camera are unclear. Imagine a typical multipoint parking maneuver. When initially selecting reverse, the backup camera shows as expected. Then, when selecting drive, the useful 360-degree camera comes on automatically. However, when switching into reverse again that top-down view can remain, requiring a tap on the screen to see the correct rearview camera. This is a peculiar oversight for safety-obsessed Volvo.
Like before, the XC90 has an all-digital gauge display, but its 2025.5 implementation leaves much to be desired. The main thing that can be changed on it is whether or not a Google Maps view is displayed. Some competitor’s equivalents can also provide a map view, along with engine information, driver assist settings, media selections, efficiency data, and more in a variety of layouts and designs—or less, depending on the driver’s preferences. Volvo doesn’t leverage the potential of a digital gauge screen effectively here.
Qualitatively Luxurious
Inside the XC90, beautiful trim and materials are made more so by the underlying knowledge of Volvo’s sustainability focus. The crystal glass shift knob looks like a small gleaming sculpture and has delightful tactility that adds functional luxury to every drive.
Our test vehicle was equipped in the high-end Ultra trim level, which had panels of contrasting light wood and dark textile trim running across the dashboard and doors. Textured metal speaker grates for the Harman Kardon audio system add visual intrigue.
Rather than leather, our XC90’s upholstery was a dark blue herringbone textile that would look rather smart on a tuxedo. Seat comfort wasn’t ideal due to the cushioning firmness and bolstering width, but at least they looked great.
The XC90 has never provided standout seven-seat functionality. Its third-row seats are small and tight to access, sized optimally to take children on short drives. Fortunately, the seats ahead provide abundant space for adults, and in those seats the cabin feels airy.
The 2025.5 Volvo XC90: Better Than Before?
Our testing proves that the 2025.5 XC90 performs and functions much like it did before. Meanwhile, Volvo's attempts at modernization still seem a bit behind the times. Considering the SUV’s aged underpinnings, Volvo might’ve done well to deliver a more in-depth rework to definitively separate the 2025.5 model from its predecessors.
Considering all the years it’s been available, though, it’s impressive that the XC90 looks and drives as good as it does. Learn to work with its mellow road manners and occasional tech glitches, and the 2025.5 XC90 delivers a relaxing and satisfying luxury three-row SUV experience.
Alex's earliest memory is of a teal 1993 Ford Aspire, the car that sparked his automotive obsession. He's never driven that tiny hatchback—at six feet, 10 inches tall, he likely wouldn't fit—but has assessed hundreds of other vehicles, sharing his insights on MotorTrend as a writer and video host.
Read More
