The XC90’s seven-seats-as-standard way of living within the massive SUV area of interest is prone to go down properly with its core clientele. There are two key factors to notice about its passenger versatility. One, you get these seven seats regardless of powertrain selection. (In an equal Defender 110, Q7, X5 or GLE plug-in hybrid, the hybrid system packaging guidelines out a 3rd row of seats.) Two, within the B5 AWD model, you get seven seats and a spacesaver spare wheel.
The XC90’s second-row seats are three particular person chairs fairly than being cut up 60/40 and every reclines and slides fore and aft by 120mm to ‘cross’ out there leg room to these in row three or to make further boot area. The best way the second-row chairs tilt and slide forwards makes accessing the third row fairly straightforward for passengers, however some distant launch buttons would definitely make placing these further seats up simpler once you’re standing on the automobile’s boot opening.
As for passenger area and luxury, the XC90’s third row stays appropriate very a lot for smaller adults and youngsters solely. Its second-row seats are roomier, if just a little meanly padded by the requirements of luxurious vehicles. Volvo’s choice to convert the center second-row seat, with its built-in booster cushion, for youthful kids, after which to slip it forwards in order that it may be accessed extra simply from the entrance row, is prone to stay a well-liked characteristic.
Within the entrance, there’s loads of refreshed digital expertise – a brand new 11.2in portrait-orientated touchscreen console, for one (see Multimedia, overleaf) – and a few crisper-looking digital devices. However, barring some redesigned air vents, a lot of the fascia and secondary controls are acquainted and unchanged – outsized audio quantity button and twist-to-start engine begin/cease knob included.
The entrance seats, like these within the rear, are just a little thinly padded in locations however provide plenty of adjustment potential and commendable consolation in broad phrases. Visibility is pretty much as good as you might need, with the potential to sit down up excessive if you happen to favor. Perceived materials high quality and match and end are sturdy, with nothing trying low cost or antiquated.
Multimedia – 3.5 stars
The XC90’s new 11.2in portrait touchscreen is of the technology first seen within the EX30 and is making its method into different Volvos this yr. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, it’s claimed to ship significantly better responsiveness than the outdated XC90’s smaller display, in addition to crisper, clearer graphics.
There’s nonetheless no bodily cursor controller so usability is solely by way of the display or voice command. The heater controls completely occupy a portion of the show, increasing once you open them, and on the house display, a fast reference ‘widget’ tries – however in our expertise, doesn’t sometimes succeed – in displaying your most continuously accessed features.
Like different Android-based methods, this one works properly if you happen to use Google-based apps on an Android smartphone. When you don’t, nevertheless, you’ll discover performance restricted. (Our check automobile would mirror an iPhone solely by way of a wired connection – not an incredible look on a £75,000 luxurious SUV in 2025.)
The final usability of the system has improved just a little since our EX30 street check. Volvo’s quick-access automobile settings menu means that you can disable sure ADAS options, for example, whereas a key on the left steering wheel spoke now permits one-touch deactivation of the velocity restrict governance buzzer.
We’d nonetheless favor some form of bodily cursor controller, both on the steering spokes or centre console, to permit scrolling across the system whereas solely glancing down from the street. However Volvo’s system does seem to be it’s slowly not off course.
