Used 2023 Volvo XC90

Matt Damon is over 50. First, where has all that time gone? Second, when someone or something is undeniably good at what they do, does age really matter? This generation of the XC90 is six years old, a long time in the car world. Yet, like Mr. Damon, it can still transport a family to different places. Not as far as Mars, but you get the idea.

The clean and elegant design of the 2023 Volvo XC90 is unaffected by the passage of time. It offers seating for up to seven occupants. Safety features remain commendable and contemporary. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has made the XC90 a Top Safety Pick+ and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it the maximum score of five stars overall.

The XC90 Recharge plug-in hybrid achieves impressive fuel economy as well as generating impressive muscle. All this underlines the XC90’s status as an enduringly top choice in its class.

All it takes is five seconds for the Recharge plug-in hybrid to zip from standstill to 60 mph. Or it can achieve the equivalent of 66 mpg once the electric-only range of 36 miles is factored in. This is the pinnacle of the 2023 Volvo XC90 lineup.

Versions with the least powerful setup motivate this luxury midsize 3-row SUV in a manner that’s more adequate than awesome. For buyers who don’t want a Recharge model for whatever reason, then the middle-level 295-horsepower drivetrain is a better option.

The suspension is tuned with an emphasis on comfort, but there’s still an element of poise.

There’s a choice of seating for six or seven in the 2023 Volvo XC90 luxury 3-row SUV. Either way, the third row — with its 31.9 inches of legroom — is fine for kids, not so great for adults. Grown-ups should be cheerful enough in the first two rows, though.

Up front, the understated splendor of Volvo’s design philosophy is clearly apparent. The materials are of excellent quality, as is the fit and finish.

The Core/B5 version comes with simulated leather seating surfaces. Real leather goes into every other variant, while the Recharge in Ultimate trim offers the option of a wool-based fabric.

Every variant has wonderfully comfortable front seats. Even in the Core trim, they’re heated and 10-way power-adjustable, with memory settings on the driver’s side.

Cargo space goes from 15.8 to 85.7 cubic feet, good for the class. That goes for the XC90 Recharge as well — the plug-in hybrid hardware hasn’t resulted in any compromise.

This generation of XC90 luxury SUV debuted for the 2016 model year, but doesn’t look a day over 2022.

Core trim comes with a gloss-black grille. The higher non-hybrid trims have bright exterior touches. The Recharge plug-in hybrid variants, however, offer the choice of bright or dark treatments with the Plus and Ultimate trims. These also come with 20-inch alloy wheels.

1. Google/Android infotainment system
A new infotainment system comes in this year, with Google Maps and Google Assistant as standard. It’s capable of over-the-air updates and voice commands using natural speech. Although it’s particularly favorable to Android phones, Apple CarPlay integration is still standard.

2. Digital driver display
A 12.3-inch driver information screen is standard in every 2023 XC90, one of the features keeping this luxury SUV up to date.

3. Pilot Assist
A complement to adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist adds steering assistance to keep the XC90 in its lane. The driver’s hands need to stay on the wheel, but this lightens the workload. Both features are standard throughout.

4. Heated outboard rear seats
Plus trim comes with these as standard, adding more luxury for those in the second row.

5. Adaptive air suspension
Ultimate trim offers this option, providing a greater range of suppleness and control over the standard configuration.

6. Bowers & Wilkins audio
An exclusive and pricey option with Ultimate trim, this is a fabulous 19-speaker/1,400-watt surround-sound system.

Regardless of which engine is on duty, an 8-speed automatic transmission is fitted to every 2023 XC90 luxury midsize SUV. And all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.

Two new drivetrains come on board this year, B5 and B6, both enhanced by a 48-volt mild hybrid system that allows peak output to be achieved with optimum efficiency, and smooths out the fuel-saving stop/restart function.

The humblest drivetrain (relatively speaking) is the B5, employing a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Maximum output is 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

An engine with the same configuration is also in the B6 drivetrain, but boosted to develop 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

If nothing else, Volvo is supremely consistent, because there’s also a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the T8 drivetrain propelling the 2023 XC90 Recharge variants. On this occasion, it’s augmented by an electric motor working the rear axle, energized by a lithium-ion battery.

Total muscle is a remarkable 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. Last year, this would have been the Extended Range version, but Volvo has ditched the less powerful T8 setup for 2023.

Recharging the, um, Recharge on a 240-volt home charger takes about three to five hours to reach full capacity. Premium gasoline is required in every XC90 fuel tank. Maximum tow ratings are 4,000 pounds with the B5 drivetrain, 5,000 pounds with either of the other two.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4/mild hybrid system (B5)
247 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/38 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4/mild hybrid system (B6)
295 horsepower @ 5,400 rpm
310 lb-ft of torque @ 2,100-4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4/electric motor (T8 Recharge)
455 combined horsepower
523 lb-ft combined torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 66 MPGe (2022 figure)
EPA-estimated electric-only range: 36 miles (2022 figure)