Used 2021 Volvo XC90

An appealing blend of style, safety features, and technology puts the 2021 Volvo XC90 firmly among the cream of the luxury midsize 3-row SUV/crossover class. Compared with other European rivals like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Audi Q7, the XC90 is easier on the finances yet still packs a lot of standard equipment.

New features for 2021 include a Care Key that allows owners to pre-program various limits for young drivers, a reduced top speed, and hazard light/slippery road alerts. These alerts are possible now that Volvo vehicles can communicate with each other, a function that can be retro-fitted to earlier XC90 models.

Drivetrain choices center around a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s either turbocharged, turbocharged and supercharged, or employing both of those forced induction methods while being part of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system. This latter drivetrain has been renamed Recharge for the 2021 XC90. Some people might prefer six cylinders or even eight, but the XC90’s setups work well.

There might also be resistance to relying on the touchscreen for many functions. However, the XC90’s tech is well thought out and applied, including one of the best partially autonomous driving systems.

In T5 form, the Volvo XC90’s 2.0-liter engine is turbocharged, similar to the base Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. With 250 horsepower, it does a competent though unremarkable job of motivating the XC90.

The T6 is far more interesting. By using both turbocharging and supercharging, it develops a remarkable amount of output from just four cylinders and two liters of displacement: 316 horsepower and a gutsy 295 lb-ft of torque, which makes itself felt more easily during acceleration.

Recharge is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) setup, augmenting the T6’s engine with an electric motor to deliver the most power (400 horsepower) as well as the lowest emissions.

Regardless of drivetrain, the 2021 XC90 handles itself with a quiet comfort, plus a hint of that typical European poise when driven harder.

Luxury without the fuss, indulgence without the rigmarole, special without being overdone — that’s the Volvo XC90’s cabin. It comes with 3-row/7-occupant seating as standard, offering the option of captain’s chairs in the second row. These bring the posterior count down to six, but the middle row now becomes more spacious while enabling easier access to the back.

The third row has decent legroom, but is still best suited for children. Volvo seats are renowned for their comfort and support. The front seats are especially well-shaped and good for long trips. The base XC90 has simulated leather upholstery, but leather comes in at the next level up.

Standard features include the 12.3 digital driver information display and the vertically oriented 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. This latter item is crisp and reasonably responsive, but we’d prefer it if a touch wasn’t required for almost every function, including climate control adjustments.

It’s those T-shaped LED daytime running lights (which Volvo calls “Thor’s Hammer”) that probably hit the retinas first. They’re part of a house style encompassing the company’s other vehicles, an overall approach that’s as arguably attractive in its own way as any Audi or Mercedes-Benz counterpart.

On the practical side, the tailgate is powered and endowed with hands-free operation, the door handles are illuminated, and the side mirrors are retractable. R-Design models have a sportier character with a trim-specific grille, high-gloss black exterior accents, matte-silver mirror caps, and larger, octagonal exhaust outlets.

The standard alloy wheel size is 19 inches, but there are alternatives going up to 22 inches, plus summer performance tires for the R-Design models.

PILOT ASSIST
Pilot Assist combines adaptive cruise control and active steering to keep the XC90 in the desired lane, resulting in a partially autonomous driving system. Rivals have similar offerings, but this one is standard and among the smoothest we’ve tested.

BOWERS & WILKINS AUDIO SYSTEM
This optional audio system (upgraded for 2021) is the epitome of premium sound. With 1,400 watts and 19 speakers, it’s loud. But the quality is superb, even when playing files from a smartphone.

Volvo hasn’t made things any easier this year by having two 2021 XC90 trim levels with similar names. The Recharge Inscription Expression is the basic model with the PHEV drivetrain, whereas Inscription is the XC90’s most luxurious trim.

The 2021 XC90 range kicks off with the Momentum T5, which is brimming with standard equipment such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, full LED lighting with automatic high beams, quad-zone automatic climate control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, hands-free tailgate operation, panoramic moonroof, front/rear parking sensors, high-pressure headlight cleaning, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, four USB ports (including two Type-C versions in the second row), and a 4-year subscription to Volvo On-Call which allows certain functions to be controlled by a smartphone.

All-wheel drive is optional with the T5 drivetrain, but standard in the others. R-Design adds more features, some of which are optional in Momentum trim, like leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a 600-watt Harman Kardon audio system. Inscription brings ventilated front seats, high-level interior lighting, and rear sunshades.

Other options include an adaptive air suspension, heated seat/steering wheel/wiper blades, head-up display, 360-degree camera system, 2nd-row booster cushions, massaging front seats, the fantastic Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a self-parking feature.

Anyone who doesn’t want the perforated Nappa leather upholstery that comes in the Inscription model may select a Tailored Wool Blend alternative instead.

Just remember: T5, T6, and Recharge. All versions of the 2021 XC90 have an 8-speed automatic transmission.

T5 is the entry-level setup with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Output (see below) is more adequate than mind-blowing but works for most everyday stuff. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) on the options list. Fuel consumption averages out to 25 mpg (FWD) or 23 mpg (AWD).

T6 sets both forms of forced induction on that 2.0-liter engine to extract 316 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard here, and average fuel consumption is 22 mpg.

Recharge (formerly known as T8 Twin Engine) is the plug-in hybrid arrangement. It keeps the T6’s double-blown combustion engine then adds an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery that turns the rear axle, creating the Recharge’s particular form of standard all-wheel drive.

Total system output is a considerable 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, while achieving 55 MPGe (miles-per-gallon equivalent). Driven as a regular hybrid, without the 18 miles of electric-only range, it can still manage 27 mpg.

Replenishing the battery takes 2.5 to six hours, depending on the voltage of the supply.

All models have an engine stop/restart function that cuts power at idle. To avoid rough restarts, it can be disabled by accessing a menu on the touchscreen. Drive modes allow the XC90 to be calibrated for comfort, efficiency, sportiness, or even off-road duty.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (T5)
250 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg (FWD), 19/28 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 (T6 AWD)
316 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged inline-4 + electric motor (Recharge AWD)
Engine:
313 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200-5,400 rpm
Electric Motor:
87 horsepower/177 lb-ft of torque
Net Output: 400 horsepower/472 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 55 MPGe/27 mpg city/highway combined.
Pure electric range on a full charge: 18 miles