First Look: 2025 Volvo XC90 – Second Facelift with Improved PHEV Setup

The enigmatic Volvo XC90 gets a second facelift treatment, featuring EX90-inspired looks and equipment upgrades.

It’s been almost 10 years since Volvo debuted the second-gen XC90, and the Swedish automaker has given its beloved flagship SUV yet another lifeline with this second facelift upgrade. Taking place during the brand’s ‘90/90’ Day, the 2025 Volvo XC90 features several new design touches, several equipment upgrades, and an improved plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain setup.

Starting with the visuals, the ageing XC90 now gains several design cues inspired by Volvo’s flagship EV SUV, the EX90. The most notable changes are the updated Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, a new front grille with diagonal-patterned inserts, plus a redesigned front bumper with vertical fog lamps and a wider lower air intake.

The rest of the car, however, remains somewhat similar to the pre-second facelift model, although keen eyes will notice the new lighting signatures for its L-shaped LED taillights.

More changes take place inside the new XC90, as the cabin is now laced with several new plush trims and upholsteries made from recycled materials, plus a host of equipment upgrades. The latter comes in the form of a new 11.2-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen powered by Google's built-in OS and a new cupholder design that allows for more space at the central console while at the same time repositioning the wireless charger.

The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 gets an improved PHEV setup that provides the SUV with a longer EV-only range of 70 KM (WLTP).

Perhaps the bigger or more important upgrades given by Volvo to its beloved flagship SUV lie in its powertrain setup, as the T8 variant gets an improved PHEV setup. Still comprising a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill rated at 306 HP and a 143 HP-rated e-motor, the new XC90 T8 gets an improved all-electric range of 70 KM (WLTP). Although it may sound impressive compared to the previous model’s slightly miniscule WLTP figure, it is still a bit off compared to other new PHEV SUVs out there.

Meanwhile, the two B5 variants of the new XC90 also get improved powertrain setups that promise better fuel economy, although their total system outputs are still the same as prior, at 247 HP for the turbocharged model and 296 HP for the supercharged mild-hybrid (MHEV) version.

Apart from the powertrain upgrades, all variants of the new XC90 also benefit from improved air suspension setup and sound insulation, both of which are catered to provide better comfort to the passengers.

Order books for the new 2025 Volvo XC90 facelift are slated to be opened in selected international markets near the end of the year, with first deliveries following closely afterwards. Given that the XC90 is one of the most popular big SUVs in our market, we can expect Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) to bring this upgraded SUV here sometime next year.