Introduction
Does anyone remember Irv Gordon? He was the late Guinness World Records holder who put more than 3.2 million miles on the 1966 Volvo 1800S he’d driven since new. Fast-forward to today, and Volvo’s durability report looks less bulletproof. In J.D. Power’s 2026 Vehicle Dependability Study, Volvo finished near the bottom, narrowly ahead of Jeep and Land Rover.
Higher problem rates among plug-in hybrids and EVs, along with spotty over-the-air software updates, are causing headaches across the industry, all but confirming our long-held disdain for retractable door handles and touchscreen-only interfaces. At the very least, we’ve got 40,000 miles with this seven-passenger Volvo XC90 B6 Ultra to find out whether the grass is truly greener without some of that baggage.
Volvo has given the XC90, now a full decade into its second generation, a few lime-squirts worth of updates to keep things fresh. Updated headlights, a new grille that looks ready to sear moose meat, and an 11.2-inch touchscreen that oddly requires a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For no additional cost, you can darken the grille, window, and door trim from silver to black. It looks cooler this way, according to a study I recently conducted that included the most important critic, myself.
Our example is the top non-plug-in model, which starts roughly $10,000 under the XC90 T8 PHEV. At $74,745, the all-wheel-drive B6 Ultra trim brings the expected luxury hardware—heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and a Harman Kardon stereo. It wears high-style 21-inch wheels, and the Aurora Silver paint picks up a faint lavender tint in the right light.
At the test track, the 295-hp Volvo posted respectable numbers. This powertrain uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with an electric supercharger, which is good for a 6.7-second run to 60 mph. As you’d expect, it’s a bit slower than the last 2025 XC90 T8 PHEV we tested, which packs 455 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
You cannot turn off traction control or limit stability control. There is no sport mode, just “Normal” and “Off-road,” and the latter remains enabled only at lower speeds. While we can’t fault a 4713-pound three-row SUV for lacking a “Track” mode, with fewer than 2000 miles on the odometer, staff are already crying (and rightfully so) about the non-defeatable start/stop. It interrupts the otherwise smooth workings of the XC90’s engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.
We’ve only just tested it, so the logbook is mostly empty for now, which is usually a good sign. One of our first stops was ArborMotion, a local European and Japanese specialty repair shop with a special affinity for Volvos. The owner told us the business has been around for nearly 40 years and has long relied on old Volvo sedans and wagons as loaners, including S60s, V70s, and Cross Country models. One of them has piled up roughly 350,000 miles.
So, it’s not just Irv Gordon’s P1800S that can go the distance. We’re about to find out whether Volvo’s bestselling vehicle still has that same mojo.
Months in Fleet: 1 month Current Mileage: 1241 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 20 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 18.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 370 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0
Damage and Destruction: $0
Specifications
Specifications
2026 Volvo XC90 B6 Ultra AWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $74,750/$74,750
ENGINE
turbocharged, supercharged, and interoocled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 120 in3, 1969 cm3
Power: 295 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 310 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.4-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season
275/40R-21 107V M+S VOL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.5 in
Length: 195.0 in
Width: 76.1 in
Height: 69.7 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 53/46/31 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 66/36/13 ft3
Curb Weight: 4713 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.2 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.7 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
Interior Sound
Idle: 36 dBA/2 sone
Full Throttle: 74 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 69 dBA/24 sone
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 23/20/26 mpg
Austin Irwin has worked for Car and Driver for over 10 years in various roles. He’s steadily worked his way from an entry-level data entry position into driving vehicles for photography and video, and is now reviewing and testing cars. What will he do next? Who knows, but he better be fast.
