Most carmakers would have retired a model that first appeared in 2014. Volvo did the opposite: instead of pensioning off the XC90 when the electric EX90 arrived, it gave the big SUV a new face, a new cabin, new software – and now a plug-in hybrid with close to 160 km of electric range. The seven-seater isn’t just hanging on; it is turning into the most sensible way into Volvo’s luxury line-up for buyers not yet ready to go fully electric.

A fresh face on a familiar stance

The update was revealed in September 2024, with production starting late that year. Volvo describes a ‘more contemporary’ exterior that borrows cues from its newer EVs – a cleaner front end, new grille and reworked lights. The silhouette, though, is unmistakably XC90: long, upright and imposing. At 4,953 mm long with a 2,984 mm wheelbase, this is a genuine full-size SUV, not a ‘5+2’ compromise.

The bigger change is inside. The dashboard has a more horizontal layout with decorative panels made from recycled materials, new vertical air vents and richer night-time illumination. The wireless phone charger moves behind the centre tunnel, while the console gains more storage and an extra cupholder. The free-standing central screen measures 11.2 inches and has 21% higher pixel density.

Interior of the updated Volvo XC90 — Photo: Volvo Cars

Powertrains: mild hybrid or long-range plug-in

In Germany the entry point is the B5 AWD – a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with a 48-volt system, producing 184 kW (250 PS) and reaching 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. Combined WLTP consumption of 8.4 l/100 km is a reminder that this is still a two-tonne-plus SUV.

The real headline is the new long-range plug-in hybrid announced on 15 September 2026. It gets a larger, floor-integrated battery and a more powerful electric motor, and Volvo quotes up to 160 km of WLTP electric range – more than two and a half times that of the previous plug-in versions. Volvo Germany lists system output of up to 339 kW (461 PS) and 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. On paper, that means many owners could do their daily driving on electricity alone and save petrol for long trips.

The free-standing 11.2-inch central screen in the Volvo XC90 — Photo: Volvo Cars

Tech and practicality

Infotainment is Google-based, with built-in Google Maps and Assistant plus over-the-air updates. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Cockpit Platform makes the system more than twice as fast, with graphics up to ten times quicker. A Bowers & Wilkins sound system is optional. The chassis has been reworked too: standard dampers adapt mechanically to the road, while optional air suspension reads the surface 500 times a second and can lower the body by 20 mm or raise it by 40 mm.

The boot holds 650 litres with five seats in use and up to 1,941 litres with the rear seats folded, and the maximum towing weight is 2,400 kg – a key point for anyone with a caravan or boat.

Price and who it’s for

In Germany the XC90 B5 starts at €81,490 (Core), with Plus at €84,390 and Ultra at €89,890. The long-range plug-in hybrid starts at €90,990. That is serious money, but against the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE the Swede offers seven proper seats as standard and now a genuinely useful electric range. The XC90 is for families who want space, calm and safety – without fully committing to the charging network.

Body: 7-seat SUV, SPA platform
Length / wheelbase: 4,953 mm / 2,984 mm
B5 AWD: 184 kW (250 PS), 0-100 km/h in 7.7 s
Long-range plug-in hybrid: up to 339 kW (461 PS), 0-100 km/h in 5.2 s, up to 160 km electric (WLTP)
Boot: 650 l / 1,941 l
Towing: up to 2,400 kg
Price (Germany): from €81,490

Sources: Volvo Cars: New and improved – the best-ever Volvo XC90 (2024), Volvo Cars: long-range plug-in hybrid XC60 and XC90 (2026), Volvo Cars UK Media: XC90 2026, Volvo UK: XC90 Plug-in Hybrid specifications, Volvo Deutschland: XC90 Mild-Hybrid, Volvo Deutschland: XC90 Plug-in Hybrid

Photos: Volvo Cars (volvocars.com)