2023 Volvo XC90

If you were to see a new 2023 Volvo XC90 SUV for the first time, you'd never guess that it has been available in the USA since 2016. This mid-size luxury SUV still has the looks and the presence to appear contemporary, and the technology and mechanical bits built into its SPA platform are still up to date. Granted, some subtle updates over the years have helped it stay competitive, but the basic design is still as eye-catching now as it was eight years ago. All Volvo XC90 variants are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with various levels of boost to achieve different outputs. For 2023, the range receives 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and name changes: the T5 becomes the B5, and the T6 becomes the B6. Outputs range from 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque in the B5 to 295 hp and 310 lb-ft in the B6.

The XC90 goes up against some capable opponents. Competition to the XC90 come from the Audi Q5 and Q7, and even the Land Rover Defender. However, there's enough to set the large Volvo apart from these alternatives, not least of which is its still-striking styling and excellent safety features.

With a plethora of powertrains, seating configurations, and specification levels, the Volvo XC90 covers a broad price range. At a base level, the B5 Core is priced at $56,000, increasing to $59,900 for the B5 Plus with seven seats or $63,900 with six seats. The cost of a Volvo XC90 B6 Core starts at $60,900. The B6 Plus asks $63,400 with seven seats or $67,400 with six. The Ultimate costs $69,200 with seven seats and $69,700 with six. The plug-in hybrid Recharge can be had in the same basic Core, Plus, and Ultimate trims, with the Recharge Core starting at $71,900, the Plus seven-seat for $73,600, The Plus five-seat for $74,100, the Ultimate seven-seat for $79,400, and the Ultimate six-seat for $79,900. Pricing excludes Volvo's destination charge of $1,095 and hybrid prices do not include incentives or possible tax rebates.

All XC90s get their power from a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine, boosted in various ways to achieve different outputs, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The B5 is turbocharged to produce 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 adds a supercharger to the same power unit to realize outputs of 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. These two models send their power to all four wheels through an on-demand AWD system, so the old FWD option disappears. Expect a 0-60 mph dash in 7.3 seconds with the B5, dropping to 6.4 seconds with the B8. The top speed is restricted to 115 mph in all models.

The driving experience is what you'd expect from a tall and heavy SUV, with noticeable body roll in faster cornering and fail-safe understeer at the limit. That said, normal driving will elicit no complaints from the driver because there is adequate road grip for the performance on offer, the steering is accurate, the suspension is well-damped, and the chassis responses are predictable. The penalty for this composed behavior comes in the ride quality, which could become brittle over rough road conditions, especially when equipped with the available 20- or 21-inch wheels. Checking the box for the adaptive air suspension option will alleviate this, but cannot fully eradicate the tremors.

Even almost a decade after its initial release, the Volvo XC90 has hardly aged at all. It's still an extremely capable SUV with a host of excellent attributes. The only possible problem is with the price tag, because this level of excellence is not cheap. The 2023 Volvo XC90's competitors are other premium-brand SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, but manages to stand its ground by most metrics. Its main appeal isn't necessarily in its on-paper abilities, but instead revolves around its simple and elegant styling, plush interiors, and high equipment levels. Of course, every safety review of the Volvo XC90 produces top scores, which only sweetens the deal.

Due to the size of the XC90, we'd immediately recommend steering clear of the less powerful B5 powertrain and instead opt for the B6. This gives you an impressive amount of power, but without the added $11k cost of the plug-in hybrid Recharge. From there, it's all about what equipment you want. The Core is already well equipped if you're looking for something special on somewhat of a budget, but the Volvo XC90's charm is in its luxury. For that reason, you'll do well on a budget with the seven-seat B6 Plus, which adds desirable items such as 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, a surround-view camera system, and a heated steering wheel and rear seats. We'd spec the Denim Blue paint, the Maroon Brown leather, and the Harman Kardon sound system. All in, it's an MSRP of $64,200 excluding destination. But you'll still miss out on the incredible Bowers & Wilkins audio system and the air suspension, both of which are only available on the Ultimate. With these added, a seven-seat Ultimate will set you back $74,200 before destination and it's the one to have if you want the, well, ultimate XC90.