Now, if you were to look up "sensible luxury SUV" in some great automotive tome if such a thing existed, chances are you would find a large, Swedish entry sitting comfortably in its pages, offering you a cup of coffee from a minimalist yet exquisitely designed cabin. That dear reader is the Volvo XC90, a machine that has quietly yet confidently embodied the Scandinavian way of doing things for over two decades. And now, just as we were starting to think, "W"l l, this is all rather lovely, but perhaps a smidgen old now?"—"Olvo has given it a refresh.
Volvo has never been one for brash, aggressive styling. No massive grilles that look like they've been lifted from a medieval fortress and no ostentatious air vents pretending to be functional. No, the XC90 has always been a study in calm, restrained elegance, and the 2025 update carries on this tradition—albeit with a few nips and tucks.
The front grille, for instance, has been ever so slightly reworked to give it a more contemporary air. The ThThor'sammer LED daytime running lights—named after the Norse gogod'sather excellent —are now sharper because evidently, even gods like a design update now and then. The bumpers have been tweaked for better aerodynamics, and the alloy wheels feature new designs that presumably cut through the air with all the precision of a finely honed Swedish axe.
At the rear, those signature vertical taillights have been revised, though only just enough to remind us that Volvo has been paying attention. It is very tasteful, very dignified, and above all, very Volvo.
Step inside, and you'll find an interior that remains as plush and well-thought-out as a high-end Scandinavian furniture showroom. Volvo, being thoroughly modern and environmentally conscious, has reportedly improved the materials, likely incorporating more sustainable elements while still making sure everything feels wonderfully premium.
The infotainment system now features a larger screen running VolVolvo'stest Android-based interface, which means Google will probably know where you are before you do. This should make everything from navigation to in-car entertainment a touch more intuitive, though one does wonder if it will scold you for choosing the wrong Spotify playlist.
Speaking of entertainment, the already excellent Bowers & Wilkins audio system is said to be getting an upgrade. Presumably, this will allow one to listen to a finely curated playlist of melancholic Swedish jazz in even greater clarity. Practicality, too, may see some small but welcome improvements, though one suspects it was quite good to begin with.
Now, being a Volvo, the XC90 was never about tire-shredding performance but rather a balance of efficiency and smooth power delivery. The 2025 update continues this ethos, with the mild-hybrid B6 version offering a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with a 48V hybrid system, delivering around 295 BHP. This should provide ample power without shocking one's neone'scountant with fuel bills.
For those who wish to glide about in near silence while saving the planet, the plug-in hybrid Recharge T8 variant remains the more interesting option. Producing a rather impressive 449 BHP, it combines the same 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor and an 18.8 kWh battery pack, offering up to 70 km of electric-only range. This means that for short trips, one could theoretically waft about in eerie silence, emitting precisely zero emissions and feeling rather smug about it.
Volvo, being Volvo, has also enhanced its already impressive suite of safety and driver assistance systems. Expect refinements to the semi-autonomous driving features, which should make long motorway journeys even more relaxing—though, as always, one should not become too distracted selecting the perfect interior ambient lighting.
The 360-degree camera system is also expected to receive a resolution boost, which should make parking in tight urban spaces less of a white-knuckle experience. In keeping with VolVolvo'scent emphasis on occupant well-being, an improved air purification system may also be introduced, ensuring that it remains as fresh as a Swedish meadow.
At present, the XC90 retails for around Rs 1.01 crore (ex-showroom, India), and with these updates, a modest price increase to roughly Rs 1.05 crore seems inevitable. This keeps it firmly in the crosshairs of established rivals like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7, and Lexus RX.
However, unlike some of its more shouty German counterparts, the Volvo XC90 remains the SUV of choice for those who appreciate comfort, safety, and elegance over outright sportiness. And if Volvo does decide to bring the plug-in hybrid variant to India, it could offer an intriguing alternative for those seeking both efficiency and a bit of Scandinavian charm.
So, what have we learned? The 2025 Volvo XC90 is not a revolution, but it doesn't seem to be. What it is, however, is a refined, more modern take on an already excellent luxury SUV. It remains quietly confident, effortlessly stylish, and thoroughly sensible—everything one would expect from a Volvo.
And that, as ever, is really rather nice.
