2024 Volvo XC90 Review

The 2024 Volvo XC90 is a mid-size luxury hybrid SUV with a starting price of $56,600. However, Volvo will begin delivering the upcoming 2025 production year XC90 in early 2025, so you may be able to negotiate a better purchase price as dealerships look to clear inventory toward the year’s end.

MotoPickers Rating: 8.8/10

With the XC90, you have the mild-hybrid with B5 and B6 powertrain choices, and the XC90 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid combining a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an electric motor and battery. Drivers behind the wheel of an XC90 recharge can switch into cruising on an all-electric range of 35 miles, ideal for local trips.

The 2024 XC90 is essentially a carryover from the 2023 version that’s part of the model’s second generation introduced for 2016. Minor changes include:

• Volvo axing the XC90’s Dark Theme and its black exterior trim elements
• New standard laminated side windows for the top-spec Ultimate trim
• Fresh 22” wheel and tire package for the turbocharged and supercharged XC90 B6 Ultimate

While the current second-generation XC90 is aging, it’s maintaining a competitive edge with a nice-looking exterior, a well-equipped interior, a quality selection of powertrain options, and useful Google-based tech features. Still, some of its drawbacks include a tight third row, an average infotainment system, and a high price tag when adding several options.

This Volvo’s rivals include:

• Audi Q7
• BMW X5
• Mercedes-Benz GLE
• Lexus RX 500h
• Acura MDX
• Land Rover Discovery
• Genesis GV80

Discover what the 2024 Volvo XC90 has to offer compared to its competition below.

Exterior spotlight

Under the mild hybrid and Recharge XC90 versions, you have Core, Plus, and Ultimate feature levels. Each section of our review will highlight Core features before moving up to available features within the Plus and Ultimate trims.

Every 2024 XC90 contains automatic LED headlights with Active High Beam incorporating Daytime Running Lights. Active High Beam is another name for auto on/off headlights that remove the tedious need for manual on/off adjustments during night drives. Daytime Running Lights make your vehicle more visible to other drivers and pedestrians during the day. Volvo bookends the 2024 XC90 with LED brake lights, helping reflect this SUV’s luxury status.

A roof spoiler complements silver roof rails, and the waterfront grille contains a sleek piano black finish. Side mirrors are dynamic with heated and auto-folding functionality—and a rain sensor helps wipers function automatically. Drivers also receive a hands-free tailgate and chrome window surround. Standard wheels measure 19” and come in diamond cut/black or sparkling silver finishes.

The Plus trim level adds active bending headlights with adaptive shadow technology that moves in the direction of steering input, a headlight cleaning system, and front LED fog lights with a cornering function. This trim also features larger 20” wheels. Moving up into the Ultimate trim means receiving 21” wheels.

Color options include:

• Silver Dawn
• Denim Blue
• Bright Dusk
• Crystal White
• Onyx Black
• Platinum Gray
• Vapour Gray

While the 2024 XC90’s exterior is aging well, it may feel more conservative compared to competitors like BMW’s X5 or Mercedes-Benz’s GLE. This sentiment can extend into specific exterior elements such as the XC90’s standard wheels—an area where rivals such as the BMW X5 and Genesis GV80 excel. Despite concerns with the 2024 XC90’s tighter third row, many mid-size SUVs struggle in this area.

Interior close-up

Core 2024 XC90 drivers get 4-zone automatic climate control with a CleanZone air filtration system. Front footwell and side step illumination ease nighttime entries and exits, and leather-faced upholstery establish a clean-feeling atmosphere. The front passenger power seats feature a memory function for saving settings. Power-folding second-row headrests enhance passenger comfort alongside features like third-row air conditioning, while metal mesh or gray ash inlays help the cabin form a modern appearance.

A Plus 2024 XC90 trim delivers a panoramic glass sunroof and door tops with contrast stitching. Front cupholders receive illumination within this trim in addition to front and rear door pockets and the tailgate. Ambient lighting covers door and instrument panel areas. The Ultimate trim’s interior draw is its perforated Nappa soft leather and ventilated upholstery. Separate upholstery options include contour sports seats with Nappa soft leather and contour sports seats with tailored wool blend upholstery.

Cargo capacity behind the 2024 XC90’s third row is limited at 12.6 cubic feet (cu. ft.). Folding down the third row expands cargo space to 35.6 cu. ft.—and folding down the second row provides 65.5 cu. ft. of storage.

It’s worth noting that the competing 2024 BMW X5 contains a standard panoramic moonroof instead of an optional version, such as the XC90. You’ll also find more upholstery color options within a 2024 XC90 rival like Genesis’ GV80. However, heated front and rear seats aren’t standard across all 2024 Audi Q7 models. The 2024 XC90 also contains a heated steering wheel in its Core interior features lineup.

Power and performance

Volvo equips each 2024 XC90 with an all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration. Mild-hybrid B5 versions produce between 235-250 horsepower and 350-480 lb.-ft. of torque. A B6 is good for 300 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. The plug-in hybrid 2024 XC90 delivers 310 horsepower alongside a 400 lb.-ft. torque output. All grades have a 112 MPH top speed, and 0-60 MPH times range from 5.1-7.3 seconds.

Drivers can expect to receive 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with a B6 XC90 and 22 MPG and 27 MPG on the highway in a B5 mild hybrid. The plug-in hybrid 2024 XC90 offers 58 combined MPGe. Six drive modes are accessible: Auto, Hold, Hybrid, Charge, Pure, and Power. An XC90 Recharge will re-power overnight.

While the 2024 XC90 boasts impressive horsepower and torque specs that translate to a fast ride, it’s clear Volvo has placed more emphasis on luxury and design than handling. A winding road will require some minor course corrections during steering, and body motion reduction could use some improvement alongside brake responsiveness.

Impact harshness from road imperfections can be felt throughout the cabin, and you can get more road noise than preferred at highway speeds despite the presence of features like laminated window glass.

Regarding the competition, horsepower enthusiasts will likely favor the 2024 BMW X5, which offers 375 standard horsepower. Those looking to upgrade the 2024 X5’s performance can opt for an M60i variant with 523 horsepower. Audi’s Q7 is another quality performance option with a horsepower range of 261-335 and standard AWD. Conversely, the 2024 BMW X5 has standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) and optional AWD.

The X5 M60i variant can put on a performance show, but it falls just short of Mercedes-AMG’s GLE 63 S, which produces 603 horsepower and a 0-60 MPH time of 3.7 seconds.

Tech overview

This mid-size Volvo’s interior contains a 9” infotainment touch display and a 12” digital driver’s display. One drawback of the 12” driver’s display is its inability to display top-view and rear-view cameras simultaneously. The standard audio system is of quality variety with 10 speakers, and wireless phone charging is part of the Core lineup.

Some may have an issue with the central display’s vertical and integrated configuration. Many SUVs contain horizontal touchscreens, and vertical ones often isolate the screen, like in Tesla’s Model Y. Besides some less familiar ergonomics, this center display’s integration with tall flanking air vents contains an awkward appearance. Those who prefer more physical controls instead of an overreliance on touchscreens will enjoy how the 2024 XC90 utilizes a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons.

While you’ll settle for wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto instead of wireless, you get worldwide navigation with Google Maps, Google Assistant voice recognition assistance, and Google entertainment apps like Google Play. Volvo gives you four years of complimentary access to these Google features. Remote capabilities include door locking/unlocking and engine starts, but cabin preconditioning is limited to the XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid.

Moving into the Plus trim level gets you Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound audio and a Harman Kardon system with 13 speakers paired with a fresh-air subwoofer. If this sound quality isn’t up to par for your tastes, Volvo equips the Ultimate trim with an 18-speaker Harman Kardon system. The Ultimate grade makes for an attractive interior, but you’ll have to pay upwards of $90,000 for a fully loaded version.

Competition tech snapshot

You’ll find a larger center touchscreen within several of the XC90’s competitors, including:

• BMW’s X5 (12.3”)
• Audi’s Q7 (10.1”)
• Mercedes-Benz’s GLE (12.3”)
• Lexus’ RX (14”)

BMW’s X5 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLE also support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety capabilities

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the 2024 XC90 their top crash protection ratings of Top Safety Pick+ and five stars, respectively. Below are many of the standard safety features that help form these impressive marks.

Those navigating urban environments can gain peace of mind knowing that the 2024 XC90 is equipped with city safety with a steering support feature, which provides frontal collision alerts, automatic braking, and pedestrian and cyclist recognition. Automatic steering support will initiate within this system if braking alone won’t prevent a collision. You’ll also receive automatic steering assistance against head-on traffic with oncoming lane mitigation, run-off road mitigation, and Driver Alert Control with Lane Keeping Aid.

There’s a lot to pay attention to on the road, but you won’t have to worry about missing crucial posted road information like speed limits with this Volvo’s road sign information display feature. The driver awareness package within this mid-size SUV features a blind spot information system with steering assist and cross-traffic alert with auto brake and rear collision warning/mitigation.

Moving into Plus and Ultimate trim territory will yield the 360-degree view feature with side proximity sensors helping maneuvers like parking and other close-quarter scenarios. After covering most of the 2024 XC90’s standard safety features and its optional 360-degree view system, it’s clear that safety is one of the most significant benefits of purchasing this Volvo. Comparable rivals who achieved the 2024 XC90’s feat of logging top passenger crash protection scores include Audi’s Q7, BMW’s X5, Mercedes-Benz’s GLE, and Genesis’ GV80.

Owner considerations

The 2024 Volvo XC90 comes with four years or 50,000 miles of basic warranty coverage, whichever comes first, and four years or 50,000 miles of powertrain protection. While this SUV keeps some physical buttons, like an audio volume dial, those seeking a tactile experience may be disappointed with the higher touchscreen menu layers. The ride quality is also a bit stiff with larger wheel options, even with adaptive air suspension.

Since the 2024 XC90 is part of the model’s second generation, introduced for 2016, a new generation redesign is likely around the corner, which some drivers may wish to wait for. However, those seeking a significant refresh won’t find what they’re looking for with the 2025 model, which is also part of the XC90’s second generation.

Volvo advertises its 2024 XC90 as a luxury SUV, so we can’t complain too much about the cost, which can quickly rise significantly higher than its base price with added options. You may find more satisfaction with a luxury competitor’s standard model, such as BMW’s X5. Additionally, hybrids provoke thoughts of quality fuel savings, but you’ll have to opt for the more expensive XC90 Recharge instead of this model’s mild-hybrid powertrains to enjoy this perk.

Final verdict

While a bit pricey, the 2024 Volvo XC90 is one of the market’s best mid-size SUV options due to its well-rounded nature. Despite its aging status, the exterior remains attractive, and safety-conscious drivers can find solace in the array of standard systems.

You won’t get the greatest fuel economy with a non-plug-in version of the XC90, but you will receive quality levels of horsepower and torque. On the tech front, Volvo’s four years of complimentary access to practical Google features facilitates smoother daily drives, and interior inlays create a quality design contrast, heightening the cabin’s aesthetic appeal. Volvo’s 2024 XC90 is well-deserving of an 8.8/10 overall rating.