Volvo XC90 (2026)

Alex on Autos is strongly positive about the 2026 Volvo XC90, calling it an unusually easy luxury family SUV to live with despite its age. He praises its timeless styling, polished T8 plug-in-hybrid powertrain, impressive 4.75-second acceleration, usable electric highway driving, efficient real-world performance, quiet cabin, quality materials, and excellent traction on slippery surfaces. The XC90’s compromises include a slow 3.6-kW charger, limited third-row and cargo space, missing steering-column memory, dated infotainment controls, and handling that is less polished than an Acura MDX or German rivals. Still, its comfort, practicality, refinement, and pricing make it a compelling choice.

Savagegeese remains genuinely fond of the XC90, calling it beautiful, comfortable, safe, and surprisingly refined for an aging platform. The T8 plug-in hybrid feels notably smoother and quicker than earlier versions, with usable electric range, excellent seats, a superb Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and well-calibrated controls. Still, the reviewer is clear-eyed about its shortcomings: troublesome infotainment, limited third-row practicality, road and tire noise, body-structure vibrations, dated air suspension, and brake fade. It is an impressive refresh rather than a transformative redesign—appealing with a good lease deal, but difficult to justify at nearly $90,000.

Micah Muzio is warmly positive about the 2026 Volvo XC90, calling it charming, classy, and still relevant despite its age. He praises the Scandinavian interior, recycled textile seats, comfortable and adjustable second row, family-friendly booster seat, strong safety credentials, intuitive infotainment, and T8 plug-in hybrid’s immediate acceleration. The third row is strictly a kid zone, storage is uneven, seat mechanisms require effort, and the ride can jolt over harsh impacts. Steering feels detached, while transitions between electric and gasoline power can be awkward. Still, its distinctive materials, calm personality, practicality, and 32-mile electric range make it an appealing choice for families prioritizing character over novelty.

Doug DeMuro is strongly positive about the 2026 Volvo XC90, calling it impressive and still highly competitive despite its decade-old platform. He praises the timeless exterior, distinctive wool-and-recycled-material seats, excellent infotainment, quiet cabin, flexible cargo area, and the T8 plug-in hybrid’s quick, effortless power and roughly 30 miles of electric driving. However, the XC90’s age shows in its awkward climate controls, limited gauge customization, basic rearview mirror, cramped third row, manual seat folding, and lack of household power outlets. It rides less comfortably than a Mercedes-Benz GLE, but Doug considers it an unusually compelling, well-rounded luxury SUV.

The Car Care Nut is mixed on the Volvo XC90, admiring its elegance and character while questioning its value and complexity. He praises the refined cabin, comfortable ride, strong materials, distinctive crystal shifter, clever T8 plug-in-hybrid layout, and useful cargo space. However, the nearly $89,000 tester feels behind on technology, with generic infotainment and no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. He also criticizes awkward third-row access, limited storage, non-powered seat folding, service-heavy construction, and dealership-dependent repairs. Overall, it feels uniquely Scandinavian and pleasant, but increasingly dated and difficult to justify against newer rivals.

Mat Watson is positive but measured about the 2026 Volvo XC90, recommending it for the shortlist rather than an outright purchase. He appreciates its calm, practical seven-seat cabin, easy maneuverability, useful storage, comfortable ride, strong braking, and family-friendly touches such as the built-in booster seat and accessible ISOFIX anchors. The refreshed infotainment is more responsive, while the T8 plug-in hybrid promises compelling electric capability. However, the XC90 feels more like a second facelift than a genuinely new model, with dated driving responses, vague steering, excessive brake assistance, modest fuel economy, and less composure than the Audi Q7 or BMW X7. At its price, used alternatives look tempting.

Yuri is clearly positive on the 2026 Volvo XC90, especially as a family-friendly plug-in hybrid. He enjoyed its smooth, luxurious electric driving, useful 53-km range, strong 455-hp performance, flexible cargo space, premium materials, excellent audio, and thoughtful touches like rear-door access and trunk controls. Still, the experience is marred by confusing Android Automotive controls, inaccessible climate adjustments, overly loud fan steps, limited camera views, a difficult login process, and small usability misses such as tight cup holders, manual steering adjustment, and awkward visors. At roughly $102,000 Canadian, he likes it, but the enthusiasm is tempered by clear quirks.

Sarah -n- Tuned is impressed by the 2026 Volvo XC90 T8’s character, refinement, and surprisingly strong performance, but questions its nearly $90,000 value. She praises the seamless hybrid system, smooth power, usable electric range, comfortable air suspension, distinctive interior, excellent Bowers & Wilkins audio, and clear camera system. The XC90 also feels tall-friendly and practical, with ample cargo space and easy charging. Still, it is heavy, less exciting in pure-electric mode, occasionally inconsistent over imperfect roads, and its minimalist controls and tech feel unnecessarily confusing. Overall, she sees a polished, quietly quick family SUV with genuine personality, but stiff competition at this price.

Motormouth is warmly impressed by the 2026 Volvo XC90, especially its elegant design, gorgeous materials, effortless maneuverability, and surprisingly strong T8 performance. The refreshed Google-based infotainment is faster and clearer, while the usable occasional-adult third row makes sense for family errands and extra passengers. Still, the plug-in hybrid’s roughly 33 miles of electric range trails the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e, and Lexus RX, and gas-engine engagement can feel jerky from a stop. At this price, power-folding third-row seats and wireless smartphone integration would also be welcome.

Car Confections is broadly positive about the 2026 Volvo XC90, calling the new Dark theme a genuinely worthwhile update. They praise its handsome Scandinavian styling, superbly comfortable seats, smooth B6 powertrain, standard AWD, quiet ride, upscale cabin, and useful technology. The reviewer considers the B6 a likely sweet spot and finds the standard suspension good enough to make optional air suspension unnecessary. Still, the XC90’s family practicality falls short: the third row is merely adequate, folding it is manual and inconvenient, cargo controls are limited, and resale and reliability projections are weak. Overall, it feels refined and appealing, but not class-leading.

Joe Raiti is strongly impressed by the XC90 T8’s comfort, quietness, safety, 455-hp performance, and genuinely useful plug-in range. He enjoys its clean Scandinavian styling, confident handling, excellent visibility, adaptive air suspension, and sharp camera system, calling the hybrid’s flexibility a standout—electric commuting when charged, gasoline range afterward. Still, the nearly $90,000 Ultra trim draws pointed criticism for its cloth seats, manual steering-wheel adjustment, lack of ventilated seats, fake exterior vent, cumbersome climate controls, and cramped third row that requires climbing over the second row. Overall, he sees it as a highly capable, surprisingly fun family SUV, but overpriced for its equipment.

Kelly is highly enthusiastic about the 2026 Volvo XC90 as a thoughtfully designed, safety-focused family SUV. She especially loves the T8 plug-in hybrid, timeless styling, premium interior, built-in second-row booster, three-piece bench, and pretensioners in every seating position. Her hands-on car-seat testing adds valuable nuance: the XC90 can manage some three-across setups, but slim seats are essential, bulky seats fit poorly behind tall drivers, and the third row is cramped with difficult access. The missing third-row tether anchors with the bench seat are a significant drawback. Overall, she strongly recommends the bench-seat T8, provided families treat the third row as occasional-use space.

Ben Hardy is highly impressed by the 2026 Volvo XC90 B6, especially its refined cabin and confident four-cylinder performance. He praises the Scandinavian interior for combining upscale materials with durable textures, while the quiet, well-insulated cabin adds to its luxury feel. The mild-hybrid system provides strong low-end torque and nearly eliminates turbo lag, making the 2.0-liter engine feel more capable than its displacement suggests. Hardy acknowledges that some buyers may still want a six-cylinder, and he finds features like the head-up display somewhat gimmicky. He also flags the tighter third row and awkward seat-folding strap setup, but remains enthusiastically positive overall.

Anthony is highly enthusiastic about the 2026 Volvo XC90 T8, calling it a luxury-SUV “sweet spot” and a home run. He praises its quiet, comfortable ride, premium materials, intuitive 11.2-inch Google-based infotainment, strong 455-hp performance, standard AWD, and useful electric commuting range. He also appreciates the practical three-row layout, though the third row is cramped for taller adults and cargo-seat folding is unnecessarily manual. The five-hour Level 2 charging time and roughly 33-mile electric range trail some BMW and Mercedes rivals, while engine noise could be better isolated. Even so, Anthony considers its features, dynamics, and plug-in efficiency exceptional for the price.

Andrea Spencer is strongly positive about the elegant, sophisticated 2026 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid. She is especially impressed by its stunning, refined cabin, quicker 11.2-inch touchscreen, clearer graphics, flexible six- or seven-seat layout, and potent 455-horsepower powertrain. The practical details add substance, including 32 miles of electric range, excellent combined fuel economy, and standard e-AWD. Her main caveats are the five-hour charging time, modest 3.7-kW onboard charger, lack of DC fast-charging compatibility, and high pricing, but these limitations do little to diminish her enthusiasm for the Ultra model.

Cars & Bids views the 2026 Volvo XC90 as an aging SUV that remains highly compelling. The decade-old design still looks attractive, while the 2025 update brings a revised grille, nicer interior materials, more sound deadening, and a comfort-focused suspension tune. The XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid adds meaningful appeal with around 30 miles of electric driving, all-wheel drive, and an impressive 450 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque. Overall, the tone is strongly favorable, presenting Volvo’s careful updates as an effective way to keep this older luxury SUV competitive.

Al Vázquez ve el Volvo XC90 T8 2026 con escepticismo, aunque reconoce su fuerza y buen acabado. Le parecen atractivos los 455 caballos, la tracción integral, el diseño elegante y la seguridad, pero considera que el interior ya luce repetido tras mantenerse desde 2015. También critica la tercera fila por sus asientos pequeños e incómodos y concluye que, a casi $90,000, está demasiado caro frente a BMW, Lexus o Genesis más modernos. Su tono es directo y decepcionado, no despectivo, porque admite que sigue siendo un SUV capaz y bien terminado.

Just Jana is clearly positive on the 2026 Volvo XC90 T8, though she questions its everyday third-row practicality. She appreciates its 32-mile electric range, family-friendly child-seat hardware, built-in sunshades, strong safety technology, luxurious panoramic roof and Bowers & Wilkins audio. The second row offers useful flexibility, but the middle-seat hump is uncomfortable, and third-row passengers get no charging ports. Its twin-engine all-wheel drive is another advantage, yet her central caveat is significant: frequent third-row users may find it limiting. At $89,000 as tested, she calls it a great car, but not an ideal daily three-row.