The 2025 Volvo XC90 is a heavy refresh rather than a complete redesign, but that’s more than we thought we’d get.
While some automakers have wavered from their hugely ambitious goals to go fully electric in the next handful of years, Volvo is presently sticking to its guns by bringing the EX90 into production and hammering out the smaller EX30’s U.S. launch. As such, it looked like the brand’s flagship XC90 — which has been a boon for the Swedish manufacturer since its initial launch in 2002 — was on its way out the door. The old car was getting long in the tooth, and the EX90 looked like the definitive path forward. Not so, as it turns out, since we just saw the new 2025 Volvo XC90.
As you can probably tell from the initial images and Roman’s video below, though, we’re not talking about a full clean-sheet overhaul here. Rather, the company’s focused on bringing its styling and technology up to date to compete with mainstay rivals like the BMW X5, the Audi Q7, the Lexus RX and the Acura MDX, among so many others. To that end, the XC90 gets a new set of Thor’s Hammer headlights, new front and rear end designs including a new grille and new taillights.
Inside is where the bulk of 2025 Volvo XC90 changes lie, from the new dashboard design to the substantially larger infotainment screen. That said, look around the cabin a bit and you’ll spot elements that look more or less the same as before. You still get an electronic shifter (with an optional Orefors crystal shift knob), a twist-style start/stop switch and physical media controls below that larger screen. Nevertheless, more real estate for the display is a trendy move to make, and this setup comes with the latest software that’s also integrated into the EX90 and EX30.
To fit the new 11.2-inch unit, the updated XC90 has redesigned vertical HVAC vents, though Volvo still maintains the minimalist design throughout the cabin. The steering wheel has more of a sleeker look for the buttons and badge, and you get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the wheel. The center console, for its part, also gets some tweaks to fit an additional cupholder and fit the wireless charging pad behind the central tunnel, rather than butting it up right against the center control stack.
If you’re shopping the Volvo XC90, be careful you get this ‘2025 1/2’ model…
Underneath, it doesn’t sound like the 2025 Volvo XC90 changes much from its forebear. B5, B6 and Recharge models are still available, so you can basically pick what level of forced induction and electrification — and by extension, power level and price tag — you want. Volvo has tweaked the standard suspension to monitor and adapt to the prevailing road conditions and still offers air suspension, but there’s no marvelous new powertrain option to behold.
Diving into shopping out your options, though, watch out with this new Volvo XC90. The automaker has technically already been selling the pre-facelift version as a 2025 model, so this ‘2025 1/2’ version is what you’ll have to look out for if you want all the changes on offer.
Orders are now open for the actually-new-for-2025 Volvo XC90, with prices starting at $58,450 for the mild-hybrid gas model (the B5), or $73,000 for the more powerful Recharge plug-in hybrid.
Check out more on the new XC90 below:
