2019 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

Base AWD models get heated seats and four-zone climate controlR-Design and Inscription models get new Harman Kardon stereoConvenience and Momentum Plus packages eliminated from lineupAdvanced and Multimedia packages added to optionsPart of the second XC90 generation introduced for 2015

　　The 2019 Volvo XC90 is a three-row luxury with broad appeal. At base trim levels, it's full of high-tech safety features and luxurious cabin materials, and it even starts at a reasonable price. But spec one out to the top of the trim-level ladder, and you've got an SUV with a refrigerator in the back seat, crystal glasses and a six-figure price tag.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 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

　　$192/mo  for XC90 T5 Momentum

　　XC90 T5 Momentum

　　T5 Momentum 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $47,200 MSRPT5 R-Design 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $54,450 MSRPT6 Momentum 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) (Most Popular) - $55,700 MSRPT6 R-Design 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $60,650 MSRPT6 Inscription 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) - $61,750 MSRPT8 Momentum Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $66,300 MSRPT8 R-Design Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $71,250 MSRPT8 Inscription Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A) - $72,350 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

　　No matter the trim level, we generally like the XC90. Standard equipment includes items such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a 9-inch central touchscreen with navigation. You also get classy styling and a well-built interior with lots of room for the family.

　　Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks. The XC90 has a pretty stiff ride, especially with the larger 20-inch wheels, and the available powertrains can feel overworked. Sticking with the smaller 19-inch wheels helps improve ride quality, but it's worth noting that most vehicles in this class are better at absorbing bumps along the road. As for the engines, no matter what trim level you go with, you get a four-cylinder engine that's turbocharged, or turbocharged and supercharged, or turbocharged and supercharged and paired with a battery and an electric motor. This means the large XC90, while adequate around town, can run out of steam on hilly freeway sections.

　　Despite these flaws, there remains much to enjoy about the 2019 Volvo XC90. It's attractive both inside and out, well-equipped, and certainly worth a test drive.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Volvo XC90 as one of zzdcar' Best Midsize SUVs for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　The XC90 is a safety-conscious luxury SUV with lots of interior space. It has multiple powertrains to choose from, including a plug-in hybrid with 17 miles of all-electric range. But it has some drawbacks, including a stiff ride and a difficult-to-learn tech interface.

　　

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 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription (turbocharged and supercharged 2.0L inline-4 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	7.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	7.5
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

7.0

　　Around town, the XC90 drives smaller than it is thanks to light steering and relatively agile handling. Another positive is the XC90 T6's twin-charged engine, which is small in size but big on power. Unfortunately, its transmission can get tripped up when driving in stop-and-go traffic.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　The T6 engine provides excellent midrange power. In our testing, the XC90 did 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is pretty quick for a luxury three-row SUV. The engine can be a little slow to respond at low rpm, however.

　　

Braking

7.0

　　The brake pedal is soft and light in effort, so much so that it may cause some unintentionally abrupt stops until you get used to it. Stops at maximum effort from 60 mph took 122 feet in our testing. That is a little longer than average, but there's no nosedive to throw you forward, and stability is excellent.

　　

Steering

7.5

　　Due to its light steering, the XC90 feels like a much smaller car. Steering weight does increase as you negotiate a turn, but it's never heavy. The variable assist lets the XC90 be nimble at lower speeds yet stable on the highway.

　　

Handling

7.5

　　Although the XC90 is agile for a larger SUV, drivers will eventually notice its weight at higher speeds. Here, it begins to feel a bit sloppy. Thankfully, an excellent stability control system never lets it get too out of sorts. Go German if you want better handling.

　　

Drivability

6.5

　　The eight-speed transmission generally changes gears quickly and smoothly, even if it seems a bit too eager to upshift to higher gears. At low speeds, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, the shift speed can be a tick slow, which results in it seeming as if the transmission is ambivalent about which gear it should be in.

　　

Off-road

6.0

　　Although there's an off-road mode, none of the differentials seemed to have enough clamping force to allow the XC90 to pull itself out of slippery situations with two wheels. Additionally, the traction control does a mediocre job of limiting wheelslip, so we'd expect the XC90 to be only marginally adept in icy or muddy conditions.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　We like the cabin's interior design and excellent seats. The XC90 also rides fine on smooth roads. But that all changes when the road gets rough. If there are any bumps, you'll hear and feel them. Smaller impacts sound like a bouncing basketball, and larger ones feel a bit like airplane turbulence. The touchscreen climate control interface is also a bit finicky.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　The seats, with soft leather and firm padding, are outstandingly comfortable and supportive during long drives. There's modest lateral support, and the extendable thigh bolster is a plus. Second-row seats are more stiffly padded but have a comfortable seatback angle. The third row is stiffer still and undersized for adults, which is common in the segment.

　　

Ride comfort

6.0

　　The XC90 lacks the finesse and smooth ride of its competition. It shudders and judders over bumps, especially when you're turning at the same time. We think the smaller 20-inch wheels would provide a slightly better ride than the 21-inch wheels on our test vehicle. The only place it's comfortable is on smooth pavement.

　　

Noise & vibration

6.0

　　There's lots of tire patter when driving over bumps and occasional humming. Engine noise can be prominent if not annoying. In this segment, the buzz and whoosh of the XC90's boosted four-cylinder are charmless. Wind noise is better isolated than engine and road noise.

　　

Climate control

6.5

　　The three-zone automatic climate control is effective and quiet. The rear-seat passengers have their own set of touch controls, which can be locked out from the front if needed. Controlling the system requires multiple steps navigating through the touchscreen menus, which isn't that convenient. And although there is seat ventilation, it's relatively ineffective.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　The XC90 offers adjustments for drivers of many body types and makes it easy to spend long hours in the seat. Big windows and a roomy cabin give passengers space to stretch out and a great view of the passing landscape. Our only gripe is with the infotainment system and its steep learning curve.

　　

Ease of use

6.0

　　The portrait-style central touchscreen responds promptly but is slow to boot up on every startup. While the display is clear to read, the grouping of functions is rather nonintuitive. Expect to swipe around the menus until you adapt to the layout. The few physical buttons that exist are easy to use.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　A tall roof and wide door openings help to ease cabin access in the first and second rows. The step-in height is reasonably low since the XC90 doesn't sit too high off the ground. A tilting and sliding second row facilitates third-row access. While the body openings are large, the rear doors don't open quite wide enough to make the most of them.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　The steering wheel has a broad range of adjustability, and the seats can easily accommodate tall and short drivers alike. With three memory positions, drivers can store their preferred settings.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　There's ample head-, legroom and shoulder room for front- and second-row passengers. As can be expected, full-size adults will feel the pinch in their legs and shoulders when in the third row, but headroom is decent.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　There's good visibility all around thanks to a high roof, relatively low hood line, reasonable beltline, and semi-useful rear side windows. The large side mirrors and backup camera display also help.

　　

Quality

6.5

　　If we were to go just by looks, the XC90 would be at or near the top of the class. The seat materials are top-notch and durable to the touch. But there's more hard plastic than what we would expect for a luxury car, and our test car was fraught with squeaks and creaks.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　While the space behind the third row is on the small side, it's not unreasonable in this segment. A flexible seating arrangement and broad cargo area give drivers the ability to carry loads of stuff along with passengers. The available booster seat lets the XC90 grow with your family, too.

　　

Small-item storage

7.0

　　Though the center console storage is average size, the tandem cupholders double as a useful storage area, as do the large door grabs. There are even cubbies for the third-row passengers. The second-row cupholders, however, are shallow and small.

　　

Cargo space

8.0

　　The space behind the third-row seat is only 13 cubic feet. That's enough for backpacks but not much else. With that seat folded, you get 36 cubes — a respectable amount. Fold both rows down for 66 cubic feet of space, which is in line with the competition. The XC90's low and flat load floor is quite useful.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　Car seats can only be anchored on the outboard rear seats, but both bottom and top anchors are easy to access and latch onto. You can option the middle seat to be a booster seat.

　　

Towing

7.0

　　Without additional equipment, the XC90 can tow a maximum of 1,650 pounds. Fit an aftermarket trailer brake controller, and you'll be able to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Both are good numbers for the segment, but you'll have to look outside factory-available options for wiring and brake equipment.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　The large screen used for Volvo's Sensus system shows a lot of information, and new users may find it overwhelming. Thankfully, the variety of ways of inputting requests and receiving alerts from the car ensure drivers can find a safe way to interact with the XC90.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　Our test car's optional Bowers & Wilkins system puts out crisp sound, but its artificial effects may sound fake for those with discerning ears. The navigation system is as functional and well-displayed as anything else in the segment, but inputting destinations into the navigation system is fiddly.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　The XC90 comes with Bluetooth, two USB ports and an auxiliary port. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Bluetooth pairs quickly as does smartphone mirroring, and you can easily control media, texting and calls straight from the head unit. There's a 12-volt socket for the second row but no additional ports for the third.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　Volvo Pilot Assist features adaptive cruise control and active lane centering, and it works well on the highway. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also included. All can be selectively enabled or disabled and work well.

　　

Voice control

7.5

　　Considering how attention-intensive the interface is, the XC90 should have an excellent integrated voice control system so you can focus on driving. That is not the case. The system is designed to understand natural speech but fails to recognize many commands. When possible, we suggest using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto voice commands instead.

　　

Which XC90 does zzdcar recommend?

　　While we'd love to recommend the XC90 in its highest trim level, the T8 Excellence, it's just not practical for most buyers. So skip the crystal glasses and backseat refrigerator and go with the midlevel T6 Momentum instead. On top of all the standard T5 equipment, the T6 gets the turbocharged-and-supercharged engine 2.0-liter engine — our preferred powerplant in the lineup — leather upholstery, and a larger display screen for the driver.

　　

2019 Volvo XC90 models

　　The 2019 Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV with three seating configurations and four trim levels: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription and Excellence. Three engine choices of increasing power are offered for most trim levels, named T5, T6 and T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid. The T5 is available in either a front- or all-wheel drive configuration, while the other drivetrains come with all-wheel drive.

　　For standard equipment, the base Momentum comes with 18-inch wheels, LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, premium vinyl upholstery, four-zone automatic climate control, heated washer nozzles, 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 include Pilot Assist partially autonomous (Level 2) driving with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, an oncoming-traffic lane mitigation system, a 9-inch central touchscreen, a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio and two USB ports.

　　The T5 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (250 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Either front- or all-wheel drive is available, and opting for the latter adds heated front seats.

　　The T6 upgrades to a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (316 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque) and all-wheel drive. This powertrain adds to the Momentum trim level 19-inch wheels, dual tailpipes, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and leather upholstery.

　　The T8 eAWD Plug-in Hybrid uses the same engine as the T6 but adds an 87-horsepower electric motor and battery. Total output is 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. A 240-volt Level 2 charger can fill the battery in about two-and-a-half hours, and the EPA rates the pure-electric range at 17 miles. The T8 comes with a tire repair kit in lieu of a temporary spare and tools.

　　The R-Design trim level is largely a sporty appearance package, adding 20-inch wheels and different exterior and interior design elements. It also offers a sport steering wheel with shift paddles, upgraded sport seats (with power thigh support), premium leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, rear window shades, and illuminated step plates.

　　The Inscription is available on the T6 and the T8. It's similar to the R-Design but features its own wheel, interior and exterior trim designs. Interior upgrades include power side support, cushion extension, and ventilation for the front seats.

　　Available only on the T8, the Excellence trim level practically turns the XC90 into a 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, two iPad holders and a refrigerator.

　　Most options are grouped into packages. The Advanced package builds on the standard T5 Momentum equipment by adding adaptive headlights, headlight washers, a top-view parking system, front parking sensors, automated parking assist and a head-up display. The Multimedia package is for the T5 Momentum as well, and it adds Navigation, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the Harman Kardon sound system. The Inscription-only Luxury package adds heated rear seats, a simulated suede headliner, leather grab handles and sun visors, and a massaging function for the front seats.

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

　　

2019 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	$47,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$192/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	41.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles