2018 Volvo XC90 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What’s new

　　For 2018, the Volvo XC90 gets some additional equipment as standard such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (previously optional) are now standard as well.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　If there is one virtue that the 2018 Volvo XC90 possesses in spades, it's elegance. From the extra classy exterior styling to the impressively well-appointed interior, the XC90 exudes panache. It's a luxury crossover with all the fancy vibes you could ever hope for.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Volvo XC90 T5 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$188/mo  for XC90 T5 Momentum

　　XC90 T5 Momentum

　　T5 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,900 MSRPT5 R-Design 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $52,300 MSRPT6 Momentum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) (Most Popular) - $54,050 MSRPT6 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $58,050 MSRPT6 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $59,150 MSRPT8 Momentum Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $64,950 MSRPT8 R-Design Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $68,950 MSRPT8 Inscription Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $70,050 MSRPT8 Excellence Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $104,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　More than a good-looking car, though, the 2018 XC90 drives well and has precise handling and a sense of stability on the road. It has plenty of room inside and an abundance of high-tech safety features, both on the standard equipment sheet and available as options.

　　All of this adds up to a respectable and desirable crossover, but there are a few drawbacks. Our main issue: the XC90's powertrains. While Volvo's turbocharged (T5) and turbo-and-supercharged (T6) four-cylinder engines work fine in the brand's smaller vehicles, they seem less ideally suited for the big XC90. Performance and fuel economy suffer as a result. The T8 hybrid fares better, but it's pricey. And we've found all XC90s can have a rather rough ride over bumpy roads when fitted with the bigger optional wheels. That's not something you expect, or want, in an SUV of this caliber. The XC90's flaws aren't fatal, though. There is a lot to like about this upscale crossover, and if it ends up on your short list, we recommend a test drive.

　　Notably, we picked the 2018 Volvo XC90 as one of zzdcar' Best Midsize SUVs for 2018 and as one of the Best Midsize SUVs for 2018.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.1 / 10

　　Elegant and stylish, the 2018 Volvo XC90 is easy on the eyes. Inside and out, it is exquisitely appointed and decidedly classy. But it doesn't quite stack up to class leaders when it comes to ride quality and power.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription (turbocharged and supercharged 2.0L inline-4| 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current 2018 Volvo XC90 has received some revisions, mostly including the addition of options packages and availability of items such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Volvo XC90.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.1 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	6.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5

　　

Driving

7.0

　　This T6 is a big, three-row SUV with a 316-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The best word for this combination is "adequate." Drivers with hilly commutes, serious grades or tough highway merges might want to look for something with more power. Handling is competent and controlled.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　Reasonably quick off the line, but the engine runs out of breath quickly, leading to a leisurely 7.9-second 0-60-mph time. Dull engine response is fixed by switching to Sport mode. The eight-speed automatic transmission is reluctant to downshift.

　　

Braking

5.5

　　The XC90's brake pedal has a short, firm action that we like. Virtually zero nosedive during panic stops. Lots of control and no jumpiness. The XC90 stopped in 124 feet from 60 mph, which is about average for an SUV with all-season tires.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　The steering doesn't provide a lot of feel or feedback, but it is reasonably quick and predictable. Rare for a car with steering this quick, the XC90 is never twitchy. Good on-center control.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　The numbers don't tell the whole story, but the XC90 (ours had the optional adjustable suspension) is very controllable. It feels low and planted. Stability control is tuned for safety, and it turns on early and often.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The best safety and fuel-efficiency systems are transparent to the driver. The Volvo's many systems are frequently in the way, from false alarms from every sensor to one of the roughest automatic stop-start systems we've experienced.

　　

Off-road

　　The low-profile tires on 21-inch wheels don't make for good off-road tires, but with 9.3 inches of ground clearance and all-wheel drive, the XC90 shouldn't have any trouble with light off-roading.

　　

Comfort

6.5

　　From the first time you sit down, it's obvious Volvo spent a lot of time on the XC90's seats. They're great. What's not so great is the ride. Our tester suffered from impact harshness over any bump that sent a physical and audible shock through the cabin. The cabin is extremely quiet otherwise.

　　

Seat comfort

9.0

　　Exceptional front seats. As in other Volvos, the XC90's headrests don't adjust, but everything else does. Tons of thigh adjustment, great lateral support and lots of available lumbar adjustments. The second-row seats slide and recline.

　　

Ride comfort

5.0

　　When equipped with the optional 21-inch wheels, the XC90's ride can only be described as unsophisticated. The SUV bangs over small bumps and bounces over the big ones. The ride is well controlled after the initial bump harshness.

　　

Noise & vibration

5.0

　　With the exception of the wheel-tire-suspension smack, the XC90 is exceptionally quiet. No wind or tire noise. It's the kind of quiet that makes you speed on the highway. Some engine wheezing during hard acceleration.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　A bit of a mixed bag from Volvo. Materials, design and workmanship are very good, class-leading in some areas. Ergonomics and functionality are behind the leaders. The centerpiece of the XC90 is a big 9-inch touchscreen that is very quick to respond, but it controls more functions than it should.

　　

Ease of use

7.0

　　Even after you've mastered the big touchscreen's menus and controls, there are features that are hard to use and unnecessarily packaged into the screen, such as climate control, radio tuning and seat heating. Trip computer and gauge controls, too, are inscrutable.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　With the optional air suspension, the XC90 has a neat trick: It automatically lowers itself once parked, making getting in or out a snap. The doors aren't particularly long, which makes access in tight parking situations easy, too.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　The cabin of the XC90 feels open and spacious. There's plenty of room for driver and passenger, who won't feel cramped. The second row offers good legroom, headroom and width for two adults. The kids-only third-row seat is typical for the segment.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　Sightlines are very good with a clear view of where the hood ends. Side and rear visibility are on par for an SUV this size. Volvo's 360-degree camera tends to skew your surroundings, making it hard to identify poles, walls and curbs.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　While it isn't necessarily a class leader, the XC90 does well in the utility category. A large cargo storage area, decent tow rating and helpful features make it relatively utilitarian.

　　

Technology

　　While the Volvo's infotainment system is attractive, it can be significantly harder to learn than rival systems, especially with the abundance of buttons on the dashboard. Also, certain controls are buried deep in the system where they're hard to find even if you know where to look.

　　

Which XC90 does zzdcar recommend?

　　If you're looking for a good balance of luxury feature content, performance and price point, the XC90 T6 Momentum is our choice. It stays with the smaller 19-inch wheels, which will help with the XC90's ride-quality issues, but it also gets plenty of the top-trim level equipment such as four-zone automatic climate control, adaptive headlights and heated front seats. And if that isn't enough for you, there's always the R-Design and Inscription trim levels that up the ante quite a bit without the need to switch over to the T8's hybrid powertrain.

　　

2018 Volvo XC90 models

　　The 2018 Volvo XC90 is a luxury crossover SUV with three seating configurations and four different trim levels: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription and Excellence. Regular XC90s are referred to as the T5 and T6, while the hybrid is called the T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid. The Momentum trim level comes with plenty of standard equipment such as a rearview camera, lane departure warning and an impressive 9-inch touchscreen. The R-Design is the sporty version of the XC90, while the Inscription and Excellence are more luxury-focused with equipment such as ventilated front seats and an adaptive air suspension.

　　For standard equipment, the T5 Momentum gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (250 hp, 258 lb-ft), an eight-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, keyless entry and ignition, faux leather (premium vinyl) upholstery, eight-way power front seats (with power lumbar adjustment), driver-seat memory settings, 40/20/40-split second-row seats (with individual slide and recline functions), a 50/50-split third-row seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　Technology features for the T5 Momentum include Pilot Assist semiautonomous driving mode, adaptive cruise control, a 9-inch central touchscreen, a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a USB port.

　　The T6 upgrades to a 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine (316 hp, 295 lb-ft). The T8 Plug-In Hybrid uses the same turbocharged and supercharged engine as the XC90 T6, but it adds an 87-hp electric motor. Total output is 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. With a 240-volt charging station, fully recharging the pack takes only about 2.5 hours. The EPA estimates pure-electric range at 14 miles. Both the T6 and T8 Momentum models get 19-inch wheels, a larger digital driver information display, leather upholstery, heated front seats, third-row seating and four-zone automatic climate control. T8 Momentum models also receive LED adaptive headlights and added interior illumination.

　　The R-Design trim level features 20-inch alloy wheels, unique grille and exterior accents, a sport steering wheel with shift paddles, upgraded sport seats (with power thigh support), leather upholstery, illuminated step plates and aluminum mesh cabin accents.

　　The XC90 Inscription (available on T6 and T8) is similar to the R-Design but features its own wheels and interior and exterior trim. It also has upgraded leather upholstery and rear side window shades.

　　Available only on the T8, the Excellence trim level practically turns the XC90 into a four-seat luxury limousine. In place of the rear bench seat, the Excellence adds two captain's chairs with footrests, a rear center console with folding trays, a touchscreen controller, heated and cooled cupholders and two crystal glasses. All four seats in the Excellence come standard with ventilation, heat and massage functions. Additional upgrades include bright exterior trim, 21-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, extended leather upholstery, additional sound deadening, a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, added rear seat USB ports and a refrigerator.

　　Options for the XC90 are mainly grouped into packages. The Momentum Plus package includes the adaptive headlights, headlight washers, the larger driver display, illuminated step plates and added interior illumination. You can pick the Convenience package to add front parking sensors, automated parking assist, a surround-view camera, heated windshield washer nozzles and, in the cargo area, a grocery bag holder and a 12-volt power outlet. The Luxury package (Inscription only) adds heated rear seats, a simulated suede headliner, leather grab handles and sun visors, and a massaging function for the fronts seats.

　　Individual option highlights (depending on trim level) include 20-, 21- or 22-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension (with adaptive dampers), a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, a built-in second-row child booster seat and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system.

　　

2018 XC90 Highlights

Type: SUVPlug-in HybridSUV

　　Trim: T5 MomentumT5 R-DesignT6 MomentumT6 R-DesignT6 InscriptionT8 Momentum Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT8 R-Design Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT8 Inscription Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT8 Excellence Twin Engine Plug-In HybridT5 Momentum

　　

Base MSRP	$46,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	41.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles