2024 Volvo XC90

Pros: Elegant, minimalist design; powerful PHEV with usable EV range; robust standard safety and driver assistance suite; standard all-wheel drive Cons: Too many vehicle functions buried in touchscreen menus; upgrading to PHEV is costly; non-plug-in engines are unexceptional The 2024 Volvo XC90 three-row SUV is a real charmer, despite it showing its age, thanks to beautiful design, comfortable driving and an efficient and powerful plug-in hybrid. It’s Swedish through and through with the elegant and upright exterior to the simple, modern interior with quality materials and nifty patterns on plastics and upholstery. As with all Volvos, it’s stuffed with safety features that are standard, and boasts excellent crash test ratings. And the plug-in hybrid XC90 Recharge is a serious standout. Not only is it the most powerful and refined XC90 available, it has a useful amount of electric range at more than 30 miles. With that said, it is starting to show its age. It is, afterall, eight years into this generation. Its infotainment in particular, even with more Google integration, is a bit clunky and makes some features difficult to find. Its base non-plug-in four-cylinders aren’t quite as refined nor as powerful as some of the competition’s six-cylinder engines. The ride with big, optional wheels can be brittle, too. In general, many rival luxury SUVs are better to drive. There is a successor of sorts to the XC90 hitting dealers this year. It’s the EX90, which is an all-electric three-row SUV. It’s completely new, though will cost about as much as the plug-in hybrid XC90 to start. Of course, an EV isn’t for everyone, which means the XC90 shall remain the go-to Volvo three-row for many. Interior & Technology   |   Passenger & Cargo Space   |   Performance & Fuel Economy What it's like to drive   |   Pricing & Trim Levels   |   Crash Ratings & Safety Features What's new for 2024? There are no significant changes to the 2024 XC90 What are the XC90’s interior and in-car technology like? No matter the trim level, the 2023 Volvo XC90’s cabin is a lesson in refined minimalism. The vibe is different from any of the German or Japanese luxury machines. Where BMW and Mercedes dashes are festooned with design flourishes and obvious luxury, the XC90 is laid back and staid. Muted wood inlays grace the dash of luxury models, whereas metal inlays are used on sportier builds. You can get a dose of flash with the Ultimate trim and its Orrefors Crystal shift knob, but even that piece pales in comparison to BMW’s gaudy glass-cut gear lever. The switch to Google built-in infotainment is an improvement in usability over Volvo’s old Sensus software. We like the familiarity and ease of use of Google Maps, and the Google Assistant is one of the more natural voice control programs you’ll find in a vehicle. All of your climate controls are placed within the screen, so you’re left without any physical buttons there (though that was the case with Sensus as well). A few audio playback buttons …
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