Volvo XC90

Swedish-made, very large and highly sought-after, the new Volvo XC90, upgraded for the year 2025 and launched in Malaysia.

An E-segment SUV (executive segment SUV), it underpins Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture 2 (SPA2) platform and two powertrain (Mild-Hybrid – MHEV, Plug-In Hybrid – PHEV) options.

Locally assembled (CKD – Shah Alam), available via Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) are two variants (XC90 Ultra B5 – MYR 418,888, XC90 Ultra T8 – MYR 434,888).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) include a complimentary (five years) Volvo Service Plan (VSP – five years, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, eight years/160,000 KM PHEV battery warranty, five years/100,000 KM free service package, five years, 24 hours free roadside assistance) and a complimentary (five years) Digital Service Package (DSP – Google).

Four exterior colours (single-tone – Onyx Black, Denim Blue, Crystal White, Vapour Grey). One interior colour (single-tone – Charcoal).

Newly designed, the new XC90 gets a minimalistic, streamlined and tiered dashboard, linked to a flat-wide (retractable - cup holders, storage, wireless charger) centre console (Orrefors Crystal gear shifter).

Soft-/hard-touched (Nappa leather: top dash, centre console, door centre panels – grained fabric: centre dash, door top panels), it sees one (single-tone: Charcoal – Grey Ash Wood décor) interior scheme with contrast trims (Chrome).

Filling-up the spaces are the driver/central displays (landscape-mounted: instrument cluster, portrait-mounted: infotainment), rectangular air-conditioning vents and an ambient light system (multi-colour).

Inclusively, the layout is airy and non-cluttered with accessibilities ergonomically arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Installed is a 12.3-Inch (landscape-mounted) driver display (instrument cluster) with a Head-Up Display (HUD).

The setup comes with two selectable display modes (Calm, Navi).

Comfortably bolstered, the interior sees leather (Nappa) upholstery (perforated) in one (single-tone: Charcoal) colour scheme.

The first row gets electric-powered (multi-way, lumbar, side bolsters, cushion extension, memory, ventilation/heating) Comfort seats.

The second row gets manual-operated (multi-way, individual recline, individual fold, third row easy-access, 40:20:40 split-fold) ergonomic seats.

The third row gets manual-operated (individual recline, individual fold, third row easy-access, 50:50 split-flat-fold, boot-floor full-fold-stowage) ergonomic seats.

Included are armrests (first row – centre console, second row – centre seat fold-out), headrests (first/second/third rows), panoramic glass sunroof (electric – dark tint, UV protect, sunshade), sun blinds (rear side windows – pull-out), headliner (Blond) and textile floor mats (Charcoal – waterproof, easy clean).

A three-row seven-seater (2-3-2) SUV, the cabin offers generous space, providing ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear).

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Practical storage areas. E.g., side door/seat back pockets, centre console partitioned/caverned/retractable/under-stowage spaces, driver-dash card holder, glove box (extensible hook-integrated) and a hidden boot space (under-boot floor).

Mounted is a three-spoke sport steering wheel. Leatherette (leather-free) in a single-tone (Charcoal) with contrast trims (Silver, Gloss Black, Satin Silk) colour scheme.

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, Media, Voice Recognition, Vehicle Telematics) and electric column adjustments (tilt, telescopic – memory).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Provided are seven cup holders (three: first – two: second – two: third rows) and four bottle holders (one – side doors).

Accessing its electric-powered (contactless – remote/key fob, tailgate button, Volvo app digital key, dash button, kick sensor - height adjustment) tailgate, opens to 310-Litres (third row seats up), 655-Litres (third row seats down) and 1,316-Litres (third/second row seats down) of load spaces.

Also included is a 65-Litre hidden storage (under-boot floor).

Weighing in at 2,790 KG (Ultra B5) and 2,950 KG (Ultra T8), the new XC90 measure at 4,953 MM long, 2,140 MM wide, 1,771 MM (Ultra B5) and 1,767 MM (Ultra T8) tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,984 MM.

A commanding stature, it exudes a solidly upright and wide exterior, emphasised by symmetrically aligned and straightly cut creases.

The front-end sees mildly formed bonnet/quarter panels and a sculpted bumper (diagonally overlapping slatted grille, Volvo insignia, lower-central/corner intakes).

Accentuations, body trims (Chrome: intake strips, grille surround/inserts, window surrounds, lower side doors – Black: intake inserts, side mirror arms), roof rails (Bright Aluminium) and Volvo insignia (High-Gloss Black-Chrome).

Elegantly stocky, it continues the solidly upright and wide silhouette, boasting horizontally and symmetrically aligned contours.

The rear-end sees a straight cut roofline, a roof-edge spoiler, muscular quarter panels, an upright tailgate (Volvo script) and a covered bumper (hidden exhausts).

Accentuations, body trims (Chrome: bumper strip, window surrounds, lower side doors – Black: side mirror arms), shark fin antenna (body-colour), roof rails (Bright Aluminium) and Volvo script (Chrome).

Angularly large, the headlamps are a Volvo signature (Thor’s Hammer). Installed are full LED (Pixel Matrix) units.

Features are Thor’s Hammer LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off/high-/low-beam/cornering, low-speed manoeuvre, welcome/leaving lights, sequential turn signals (LED) and headlamp washers.

Unique, the wrap-around tail lamps are housed in an S-shape (D-pillars flowing) design. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, sequential turn signals (LED) and welcome/leaving lights.

The side mirrors (Black-body-colour) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with sequential turn signals (LED), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Information System - BLIS), automatic-dimming and memory.

Installed is a setup of ventilated disc brakes (front, rear). Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Aerodynamically designed, mounted is a set of 20-Inch (five-multi-spoke – High-Gloss Black-Polished Aluminium-Diamond cut) alloy rims, rubbered-up in 275/45 R20 (front, rear) Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres.

The new XC90 gets a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). 

Grouped are City Safety suite (collision avoidance & mitigation with intersection support for pedestrian, cyclist, scooter steering avoidance and large animal detection with steering support and braking), Front and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist, Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Run-Off Road Mitigation with Road Edge Detection, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Alert With Low Speed Auto Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Pilot Assist, Park Assist Camera (reverse with dynamic guidelines, 360-degree with 3D view), Driver Alert System, Door Opening Alert and Emergency Stop Assist.

Other systems include Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Brake Override System (BOS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, front sides, driver-knee, front-rear curtains), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with Dual Chamber SIPS Airbags, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS – front seat), seatbelts (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX (two – outer second row seats), integrated booster cushion (second row), parking sensors (six – front-rear), parking cameras (reverse - dynamic guidelines/360-degree-3D view), automatic door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), speed limiter, automatic headlamps (On/Off/low-/high-beam, cornering), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), security windows (tempered glass), rear-view mirrors (interior: automatic-dimming, exterior: automatic-dimming, BLIS), ready-to-drive notification, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system, emergency brake signal and anti-theft system (security alarm, engine immobiliser).

Installed is a 11.2-Inch (portrait-mounted) central display (infotainment), running on an Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS). 

The setup comes with two selectable display modes (Calm, Navi) and supports Google Automotive Services (Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play Store), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), Volvo Cars mobile app (remote control), Bluetooth, voice recognition, vehicle telematics and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

Entertainment is channelled via a Bowers and Wilkins high fidelity audio system (1,410 W – 19 speakers: dash tweeter, front headrest speakers, roof speakers, door speakers, air-ventilated subwoofer) with four ‘Room Modes’ (Studio, Individual, Concert Hall, Jazz Club).

Cocooned in the new XC90 are two powertrain setups (MHEV - Mild Hybrid, PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid).

Variant Ultra B5 (MHEV) embeds a 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve direct-fuel injection turbocharged petrol engine (249 HP/186 KW, 350 NM), mated to a 48-Volt Mild Hybrid system with an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) (14 HP/11 KW, 40 NM). 

The combined output reads at 263 HP/196 KW and 390 NM.

Variant Ultra T8 (PHEV) fuses a 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve direct-fuel injection turbocharged petrol engine (317 HP/236 KW, 400 NM), mated to a rear-axle mounted electric motor (145 HP/108 KW, 309 NM).

The combined output reads at 462 HP/ 345 KW and 709 NM.

Coupled with the setups is an eight-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic.

Power is sent to all four wheels, via an All-Wheel Drive (AWD - Ultra B5) system and an Electronic All-Wheel Drive (e-AWD - Ultra T8) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 7.7 seconds (Ultra B5) and 5.3 seconds (Ultra T8). 

Top speed is electronically capped at 180 KM/H (Ultra B5, Ultra T8).

Fuel tank capacity is at 71-Litres, and the combined fuel consumption reads at 8.1-Litres (Ultra B5) and 1.8-Litres (Ultra T8) for every 100 KM.

Juicing-up the e-motor (Ultra T8) is a Lithium-Ion battery pack (18.8 KWH), enabling a pure electric driving range of 77 KM (ECE R101).

AC charging (Type 2 – 3.7 KW/6.4 KW), takes 5.0 hours/3.0 hours for a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC). 

The new XC90 comes with these conveniences.

E.g., keyless entry (engine Start/Stop button, digital key card), electric-powered (contactless - remote/key fob, tailgate button, Volvo app digital key, centre display, kick sensor - height adjustment) tailgate, automatic door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic headlamps (On/Off/low-/high-beam, cornering), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), rear-view mirrors (interior: automatic-dimming, exterior: automatic-dimming, BLIS), four-zone Electronic Climate Control (ECC – rear air vents, Clean Zone Interior Air Quality System: PM2.5 air purifier), electric cabin heater/cooler (Volvo Car app), humidity sensor, electric-powered (multi-way, lumbar, side bolsters, cushion extension, memory, ventilation/heating) Comfort seats (first row), integrated booster cushion (second row), armrests (first row – centre console, second row – centre seat fold-out), headrests (first/second/third rows), panoramic glass sunroof (electric – dark tint, UV protect, sunshade), sun blinds (rear side windows – pull-out), textile floor mats (Charcoal – waterproof, easy clean), steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments, EPS), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system, Park Pilot Assist, Park Assist Camera (reverse with dynamic guidelines, 360-degree with 3D view), Driver Alert System, Door Opening Alert, parking sensors (six – front-rear), parking cameras (reverse - dynamic guidelines/360-degree-3D view), security windows (tempered glass), interior lighting (ambient, foot, reading, boot), wireless charger (front), infotainment (Google Automotive Services - Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play Store, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto - wireless, Volvo Cars mobile app - remote control, voice recognition), tailgate scuff plate (stainless steel) and roof rails (load - 100 KG).

Installed is Volvo’s Interior Air Quality System, featuring a four-zone Electronic Climate Control (ECC) system. 

The setup comes with rear air-vents (rows – second, third) and a Clean Zone Interior Air Quality System (PM2.5 air purifier).

Included are electric cabin heater/cooler and humidity sensor systems.

Underpinned is Volvo’s Four-C Active Chassis, featuring a suspension setup of double wishbones (front) and multi-link (rear), incorporating an Active Air Suspension system (high-speed: 20 MM automatic lowering – off-road: 40 MM automatic raising).

Ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time. The vehicle delivers a connected steering feel, with a linear and balanced weighing at all speeds.

Overall, it is spacious and comfortable, and the ride quality is satisfactory. Safe and suitable for a daily driver.

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin is serene, with the tyre, road and wind noises mostly hindered. 

This is courtesy of the vibration-absorbing chassis, all-around improved sound insulation, and double-laminated glass (tempered side windows).

The new Volvo XC90 is a great daily luxury SUV, providing an all-rounder build with its dual-natured powertrains and total interior comfort.

Primarily, it offers an uber spacious cabin, enveloping a premium interior with advanced connectivity, lounge-like comfort and plenty of safety features.

Next, it has an engaging dual-natured driving dynamic with a selection between Mild-Hybrid (MHEV) and Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) powertrains.

Ultimately, its build quality is excellent, and with its commanding exterior demeanour, the new XC90 is surely a Volvo for Malaysians to consider.