The New Volvo XC90 Hybrid SUV Needs a Total Overhaul

When I drove the 2020 Volvo XC90, I admired its sense of restraint, comfort and style inside an interior lined in lovely wool trimming. It wasn’t particularly thrilling to drive, but the nice things inside the cabin compensated for its bland if capable performance.

So I eagerly anticipated my time in the 2025 Volvo XC90 T8, the plug-in hybrid version of the six- or seven-seater (depending on which seat configuration you choose). Volvo gave its 10-year-old rig an update earlier this year, adding subtle changes to things like the lines of the hood and the headlights and tail lights. It also added a new user-experience system with a larger screen and new seating configurations with sustainable upholstery options, as well as mechanical updates to the suspension and additional sound isolation in the cabin.