First to market, still the leader? // 2026 Volvo XC90 review

First to market, still the leader? // 2026 Volvo XC90 review

We’ve got the Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid. >> Take your bets now and see if we call this the CX90 in the video. It’s happened before. >> It certainly has. >> All right. >> Ooh. >> Oh, yeah. >> That kicked in. >> Did it ever accelerate quickly. Gas engine comes on. >> When it kicks in, it’s got a lot of power. And uh we’re going to go through all those numbers right now. What’s under the hood of this? >> A 2 L turbocharged 4 cylinder with a plug-in hybrid system. It’s matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission and gets a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound- feet of torque. It has an 18.8 kWh battery and gets 54 km, 33 mi of range, standard all-wheel drive, >> and it’s no slouch either. 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds. Um, we have a little story to tell you in just a second. Right now, the key standard features of the XC90. The base trim comes with a 12.3 in digital driver display, an 11.2 in touchscreen with Google built-in, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charger, quilted Nordico upholstery, heated power front comfort seats, driver seat memory, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and a hands-free power tailgate. It was almost exactly a year ago, Andrea and I, we went from Copenhagen across the cool bridge into Sweden where we drove around in the XC90 and that was an epic trip, Andrea. We were pretty enamored. Was it because we were in the homeland of Volvo? I’m not sure, but it was fun and it’s nice to get it back. >> Yeah. So, this is the 2026 model. The one we reviewed was the 2025.5. So, this is basically a carryover year because it got a ton of updates. Quite the refresh really to the exterior and the interior. You’ve got new technology in here, tweaks to the exterior, including a new front bumper. You’ve got slimmer headlamps. Even the tail lights in the back are darkened. >> Yeah, you’d have a hard time really know. You have I think the real tell is the grill. It’s got the the angles um on each side of the grill are kind of different. Our neighbor has a brand new one of these. Um so yeah, I think the design is so strong. We were doing the car to car where Andrew is driving and I’m filming from another vehicle. Um I said to Andrew, “It’s a good-look vehicle.” And when you design something well the first time, you don’t have to blow it up every few years. Hyundai. Um you you can just leave it in place. >> It’s classy. It’s got a classy look to it. And it really has stood the test of time. Really an elegant looking exterior. >> And you know what is this is tuned in my opinion for someone that likes the attitude of having a European luxury mark but an easygoing. The steering is so light. What’s interesting though is the steering is quite light but the suspension is quite firm. Um I’m okay with that. >> Yes. I’m actually surprised how firm the suspension is. It doesn’t bother me. We’ve got a Cayenne that has a firmer suspension as well. Steering is super light. So, when you’re in city traffic or you’re making those quick turns, it is just so incredibly easy to maneuver. >> I think it maybe for our taste maybe a little bit too soft, but they know their market and they know that people want to be able to just wheel this in and out of parking lots, dropping kids at school, all that kind of stuff. It’s going to do all of that perfectly well. And some of you might say, “Yeah, but there is a button for steering that says firm.” You are right, but it really doesn’t get very firm. >> It goes from soft to slightly less soft. >> Trust us on this. >> Now, there’s different drive modes. You’ve got hybrid, power, pure, off-road, and all-wheel drive. The battery never fully depletes, so you can drive this at all times in hybrid mode. But if you just want to drive it in pure electric, you can. If you need that extra acceleration, then the gas engine will come on. >> Okay, I’m going to put it in power because we’re all about that. But what else can you put it in? >> You got to put it in S for subscribe. And if you can hit that notification bell, you’ll be notified when all of our reviews drop and then you can watch them. >> And we do this the couple car review twice a week. The first one drops even from Sweden. >> Mhm. We put another one out on Saturday. >> So make sure to like and subscribe. Okay, we’ve got it empowered. We got a little bit of space here. Andrew, your foot to the floor and away we go. >> Oh, yeah. >> Now, this has the same issue that um pretty much all plug-in hybrid vehicles have is you have to wake the gasoline engine up and sometimes that can take just a fraction of a second. It’s not as in it’s not like driving a pure EV. They will sell you the pure EV version if you want that. Now, when you’re driving on the highway at a good speed and then you accelerate quickly and the gas engine comes on, it is a little more seamless. Like I find that it’s smoother when you’re at a stoplight. >> Hit it again. >> Okay. So, actually that was just dropping a gear. >> Yeah. >> When you’re at a stoplight and you want to accelerate quickly and get away from traffic, let’s say, then it is jerkier. Um, it’s just not as smooth as I would like it to be for a plug-in hybrid, but it it is typical of plug-in hybrid systems. >> Well, while we’re still talking about the drive, Andrea, you have to give Volvo credit. They were early early out of the gate with plug-in hybrid technology. The only other that as as a luxury brand, I think they were first. And as a non-luxury brand, Mitsubishi was very early out of the gate with plug-in hybrid technology. Mitsubishi is moving to more battery power capacity and range. So, we’re going to touch on that coming up in our hot topic. But one thing that Volvo also did years ago was design, we talked about it already, a really goodlooking product. Like I would be very happy with the design of this on the outside if I had this every day. Hey, every time I see a Volvo on the road, whether it’s the XC60 or the XC90, I think to myself, “Wow, that is just such a great contemporary design. It’s sophisticated. It does everything really well.” I’m not always a big fan of gray, but I have to say that this has photographed really well. There’s a brightness to this gray color. This gets 8.8 in of ground clearance and comes standard with matrix design LED headlamps. LED tail lamps, bright aluminum trim around the windows, a front grill with chrome frame and inserts, aluminum roof rails, 20-in wheels available, 21-in wheels, and a tire mobility kit. You can also choose a black exterior trim. It’s available on select trims. >> You know what? Volvo with the very first XC I almost said it, Andrea. XC90, they left it in market for 12 years, which is in my opinion too long. >> Um, but Volvo this time around with this generation, as we mentioned, on the outside, they haven’t messed it up. It’s a great design. On the inside, they did some tweaks for the halfyear model change they did half a year ago. And most of it surrounds this big screen, which is no longer mounted in the dash. It’s mounted on top of the dash, but it’s so much better. Yeah, you’ve got a different screen now. It’s an 11.2 inch touchscreen and it’s faster. Like the processing times are faster. There are less steps to get where you need to go. Uh I found the other system, although once you got the hang of it, you know, it so bad. I know you didn’t like it, but this is so much better. The graphics are clearer and crisper as well. And also the 360 camera has been updated with a split view. So the technology is just better in here. >> So we talked about Volvo being first to market with the plug-in hybrid technology. They were also the first brand I can remember. There might have been another one, but the first one as professional auto reviewers that we can remember that came with uh Google automotive installed. And at first it was a bit glitchy. Now that’s better. You can use Google automotive to do other things in the car, like you can ask it to do things and that’s what it’s piggybacking on, but it’s all much better than before. >> Some people are frustrated because it has wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. You have to plug your phone in to get these. It does charge your phone. That’s uh a benefit, but I know many are looking for a wireless connection. Now, >> it seems like a big uh stumble in for 2026. The rest of the interior um is looking similar to what we’ve seen before. And they do first class interiors. Absolutely gorgeous mix of materials, different colors, different contrast. And I love I’ve been talking about this for years, Andrea. I love cloth on the dash. And there’s cloth on this. It’s beautiful. >> This is a pretty color combo. And Volvo is using sustainable materials in their vehicles today, including this XC90, which is important to people um who are looking for that kind of thing. You’ve got this crystal shifter at the center console. There is some piano black that you see here. Um not much and some around the screen and the air vents, but overall I’m okay with it. It’s not an overwhelming an amount. Would I like to see a different trim piece here? Sure. The wireless charger has been moved to a different location. And I would say that the layout is quite nice, but it’s the mix of materials that are quite beautiful. And you’ve got this Bowers and Wilkins sound system that’s terrific. If you can splurge on that, do so. It has new uh speaker mesh designs as well. So the Bowers and Wilkins is a big thumbs up. It’s also a big price tag up and it’s not maybe for every budget. There is a Harman Cardon sound system that’s 14 speakers, so that might be an option for you. And this is a three row SUV as standard equipment, but you don’t get seven seats on all of them, right? >> Yeah, it’s a six or seven passenger vehicle. So, in Canada, two lower trims uh only get a bench seat, and then the top trim has the option of captain’s chairs or a bench seat. In the US, the base trim, seven passenger, you get that bench seat, and then on the other two trims, the option of either a bench seat or captain’s chairs. Volvo updated the steering wheel for the XC90. And overall, storage isn’t bad. I just don’t find this to be very deep. I would say the size of the storage area is fine, but not very deep. And the door pockets are quite long, but also not deep. >> Okay, so now we’re getting into the available features. You can get a 360 camera, head-up display, park assist, power four-way lumbar support, ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat with memory, and power side bolsters. Well, here’s me getting in the second row of this midsize SUV. You notice that the seats slide for and a half. They also recline. And the one thing that’s unique is that the middle seat slides forward. If you put a car seat in the middle, you can slide that seat forward. How does it stack up? >> The XC90 has 40.9 in of front row legroom and 37 in of second row legroom. >> So, the space to get into the third row isn’t that big, but once you’re in there, it’s actually pretty comfortable, even for adults. How does it stack up? Third row legroom is 31.9 in. >> So when you lift the power liftgate, you see that you don’t get a large cargo space when all of the seats are up. How does it stack up? >> Space behind the third row is 10.5 cubic feet. Space behind the second row is up to 34.5 cubic feet. And overall cargo space is up to 85.7 cubic feet. >> Time for Fica. Actually need pastries with Fica. We’re just going with the coffee. Time now for questions, coffee, and cars. >> Your questions from Instagram. >> I would like the dark trim available on lower trims. Over 70,000 US just to get gloss black trim is outrageous. I’ve had two XC60s and need the additional space of the 90. >> So, what’s the gloss black on the outside? >> Yes. Okay. So, they have like a dark package, which is no charge on certain trims. In Canada, two trims you can get it, but in the US, you’re right, only that top trim. >> Spend the money. I guess that’s what they That’s the way that system works. >> That’s the ladder. Oh, you like the XC90? You Oh, no. No. You got to get that one. It’s only $200 more a month. That’s the way the business works. >> The XC60 is so good. I wonder why you really need the XC90. The third row here is a temporary young kids only affair, leaving you no boot space. If you really need a usable three row, there are lots of better options like the Yukon that still leave you a trunk. So, why not save money and get the very capable XC60? >> I disagree with that because to be honest with you, once you’re in the third row, it’s actually pretty comfortable. It’s not huge, but it’s not just for little kids. It’s what these seats are for. It’s for extra people on occasion. And most people are not doing long trips with all their luggage. They’re taking an extra kid to soccer practice. They’re going to grandma’s for Thanksgiving dinner and they need to take an extra person. That kind of thing. >> Here’s a great scenario. Somebody who wants a three row SUV in a pinch, but enjoys the size of this. Easy to maneuver in city traffic, great on the highway, offers plenty of space. But if you are going somewhere, let’s say with the in-laws, and you need the extra space, you can throw the kids in the third row. >> No, mother-in-law in the third row. >> And you can put mom and dad in the second row. And that’s what people want these vehicles for. >> Always mother-in-law in the third row. >> Poor mother-in-law. >> And uh yeah, and you’re making a massive jump going from this to a Yukon. It’s like that’s a that’s a big jump. >> That’s a whole other ball game. Hey, if you want to get a question in for any future videos, you need to follow along on Instagram. That’s the way we do it. It’s motormouth_andra. You also see all the pictures behind the scenes. I’m motormouth auto and the links are below the like button. >> Love the new front grill. Love the crystal clear shifter. Do you still have to doubleclick when you put it in drive or reverse? >> That drove me nuts. For years, you used to have if you wanted to go in reverse, you had to go reverse, reverse. You want to go into drive, you had to go to drive, drive. And that’s gone now. And uh I guess they wanted to make, you know, I don’t know if anybody there um is a photographer or shoots video and then you or you have a GoPro like this and you have to format the card. They say, “Are you really sure you want to format this card because everything will be deleted?” I think that was Volvo’s way of are you really sure you want to go into reverse? >> Are you really sure you want to drive? >> Yeah. Are all your images will be deleted? Just saying. What is wonderful to see is having a shifter. I love having a shifter. Well done, Volvo. >> And now it’s time for our hot topic. What’s this one, Andrea? >> Beautiful car. However, they’re behind competition with electric range. And that is what is most important for plug-in hybrid buyers. The Lexus RX, the BMW X5, and the Mercedes 450e all get way better range. Now, we mentioned at the beginning Volvo early to the plug-in hybrid game, and typically when you have a first mover advantage, when you update, you’re way ahead of everybody else. But the other brands, the European brands have leapfrogged this in terms of range, but I think it’s something they could address in the future. >> Yeah, I think just to stay competitive, offering more range. Look, this might be enough range for someone who buys it as a daily driver and plug it in every day. 54 kilometers not bad >> uh of range and that’s 33 miles. But something like the MercedesBenz as you mentioned in your question that plug-in hybrid has 77 kilometers of range which is 48 mi and then you take a look at the BMW and it’s 64 km 40 miles. I mean, not a lot more in comparison to the BMW, but that extra range certainly does help, especially in the winter time when it’s cold. >> Yeah, I think it’s something they could definitely address. They also want to push you into the EVs they have. >> All right, so let’s get into the vital stats of this. Of course, how much it costs is important. >> Let’s start with pricing. We’ll do Canada first and then move on to the US. Pricing includes freight, PDI, and fees. The core model starts at just over $935,000 and the top trim is just over $100,000. In the US, the core model starts at just over $795,000 and the top trim is just under $87,000. >> With a 3.7 kW onboard charger, the XC90 will charge from 0 to 100% in 5 hours. This PHEV is not compatible with DC fast charging. This plug-in hybrid gets a combined 3.8 8 L equivalent per 100 kilometers. That’s 62 m per gallon equivalent. When the battery is depleted, it gets 9.1 L per 100 kilometers city, 8.6 on the highway. That’s 26 mp gallon city, 27 on the highway. The towing capacity is solid though, 5,000 lb. The warranty is 4 years, 100,000 kilometers or 50,000 m. In the United States, complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 mi. Lightning round. Two things we like. two things we like to see improved. >> I like the elegance that Volvo offers with their interiors. >> I actually like the outside of this. >> For the price of this, power folding third row seats is needed, >> and they do need to up their range for the plug-in uh variant. Others are getting ahead of them. So, there it is. It’s the XC90. What do you guys think of that? >> Thanks for watching, and if you like what you see, subscribe. We’ll see you next time.

This is a Motormouth couple car review of the updated 2026 Volvo XC90 mid-size, 3-row, luxury PHEV SUV.
What’s New? The XC90 got a substantial refresh in with tweaks to the exterior and interior. There’s a new front with slimmer headlamps, new sculpted hood, front bumper, front air intake, a new charging port design for the PHEV, darkened taillamps and new wheel designs. The 2026 Volvo XC90 interior has been updated with a larger 11.2” new generation touchscreen that’s more responsive with higher resolution, an updated 360-camera with a split screen, updated dash, storage and materials including new sustainable upholstery options. There’s a new location for the wireless charger, new air vents, new mesh designs for the Bowers and Wilkins speakers and updated ambient lighting as standard equipment.
The 2026 Volvo XC90 is powered by a 2L turbocharged 4-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic transmission, a combined 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. It has an 18.8 kWh battery with 53 km/32 miles of range, standard e-AWD.
The 2026 Volvo XC90 interior is just stunning, it offers a sense of elegance and it’s available with 6 or 7 seats with new armrests for the captain’s chairs with integrated cup holders. Volvo has added new décor colours and trims pieces, it comes standard with leatherette upholstery, available Nappa leather. The new generation user interface is quicker and the graphics are clearer. There is an available 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system or you can splurge and add the 19-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system with four modes to be selected including concert hall and jazz club
This 2026 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid gets a combined 3.8Le/100 km, 62 MPGe. When the battery is depleted, 9.1L/100 km, 26 MPG city and 8.6L/100 km, 27 MPG highway.
The 2026 Volvo XC90 comes with a 3.7 kW onboard charger and will charge from 0-100% in in 5 hours. This PHEV is not compatible with a DC Fast Charger.
In Canada, 2026 Volvo XC90 pricing includes, freight, PDI and fees. Core $93,548, Plus $95,498
Ultra $100,098. We are driving the Ultra model.
In the US, MSRP Core $79,798, Plus $82,448, Ultra $86,998.

Andrea Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motormouth_andrea/
Zack Instagram https://www.instagram.com/motormouth_auto/