The 2025 Volvo XC90 Plug-In Hybrid offers everything you need for the daily drive or the long-haul adventure.
I am fortunate to be able to drive and review the latest vehicles. Driving back and forth between the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan provides me with the opportunity to really get to know a car. Few vehicles make the journey as smooth and stylish as the 2025 Volvo XC90.
After a week behind the wheel of Volvo’s flagship luxury SUV, taking it over Highway 5 (the Coquihalla) and Highway 97C, two of British Columbia’s most demanding routes with steep climbs through mountain passes descending into wide-open valley roads, the XC90 had the perfect mix of power, comfort, and luxury for longer journeys.
2025 Volvo XC90 – The Walk Around
The first thing that struck me about the 2025 XC90 is its balance between elegance and strength. Originally, I thought it was the colour that made this SUV stand out. However, while participating in a golf tournament, there were two other Volvo XC90’s on display and they were equally striking.
Volvo hasn’t gone for an aggressive, over-styled look — instead, it’s sleek, sophisticated, and unmistakably luxurious in the most subtle way. The signature Thor’s Hammer LED headlights, the frameless grille, and redesigned vertical taillights give it a refined, modern edge.
Finished in Denim Blue Metallic with 21-inch diamond-cut wheels — a combination that looks just as at home outside a downtown Vancouver café as it does parked lakeside in Kelowna. Ground clearance sits at a confident 8.3 inches, making light gravel or snowy sections a non-issue, and the hands-free power tailgate is a blessing when loading weekend gear.
From every angle, the XC90 delivers that “modern luxury SUV” energy — understated but unmistakably premium.
2025 Volvo XC90 – Interior Styling
Step inside, and it’s clear why Volvo interiors are often described as relaxation on wheels. The 2025 XC90 cabin blends clean design with real-world usability. My tester featured Nappa leather upholstery, driftwood inlays, and ventilated front seats with massage function, a panoramic moon roof, tinted passenger and cargo windows with sun shades and a plush cabin.
The 12.3-inch digital driver display and 11.2-inch Google-built-in touchscreen also made navigation and media effortless. While directions are displayed on Google Maps on the touchscreen, you also get directions on the instrument cluster as well as in the head-up display.
Noise insulation is top-tier. At 110 km/h on the Coquihalla, I could barely hear tire hum. The four-zone climate control kept the cabin perfectly balanced and the Harman Kardon premium sound system (with 14 speakers and 600 W output) turned every highway stretch into a concert hall.
With that kind of sound system, it’s no wonder I spent one evening sitting in the car in the driveway, massage program on, seat ventilation on, watching the final Tragically Hip concert on YouTube on the touchscreen display with incredible sound. It was more comfortable and sounded better than my television in the living room.
The cargo capacity remains one of the most practical in its class — 356 L behind the third row, expanding to 1,856 L with the seats folded. Perfect for luggage, sports gear (like the electric bicycle I brought back), or Okanagan wine crates.
2025 Volvo XC90 – Technology Features and Benefits
Technology in the 2025 Volvo XC90 feels less like a collection of gadgets and more like an ecosystem built around you. The new Google built-in infotainment system means you get Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store integrated directly into the SUV — no phone pairing required. Navigation updates in real time with BC-specific traffic and weather alerts, and route guidance even adjusts for elevation changes on the Coquihalla and Connector highways.
The XC90 also features over-the-air software updates, ensuring the system evolves with the latest improvements without ever visiting a dealership. The head-up display keeps essential information — speed, directions, and safety warnings — directly in your line of sight, so your eyes stay on the road.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and multiple USB-C ports keep everyone connected, while the Volvo Cars app lets you preheat the cabin, locate your vehicle, or lock and unlock it remotely. Together, these features turn the XC90 into more than just a vehicle — it’s a connected command center for long-distance comfort and control.
2025 Volvo XC90 – Power and Performance
Under the hood, the 2025 Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid (T8) delivers the best of both worlds — electric serenity for short trips and powerful hybrid performance for longer drives. The XC90 Recharge combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor to produce an impressive 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful XC90 in the lineup. Power is sent through a smooth 8-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, and the mild-hybrid system adds a 48-volt boost for instant torque and improved fuel efficiency.
The all-electric range is limited to 53 km. Initially, I thought the vehicle had not been charged as by the time I got out to the Fraser Valley, the electric charge was showing zero. However, 53 km is all you need for daily shopping around town without need a drop of fuel. The rest of the time, the hybrid system seamlessly blends gasoline and electric power for confident passing and quiet cruising.
Charging is easy too: the 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery can recharge from 0–100% in about five hours on a Level 2 home charger. Plus, regenerative braking helps recapture energy on descents, which came in handy rolling down into Peachland. For drivers who want both performance and sustainability, the XC90 Recharge T8 is an ideal upgrade.
The XC90 offers five distinct driving modes to choose from. Each one adjusts the suspension and performance of the car.
When I selected off-road, it took a few moments as both the front and rear suspension adjusted to provide additional ground clearance for uneven pavement.
The steering wheel, with a heated option for those colder temperatures, also has two settings: soft and firm. Soft is great when you are driving long distances in a straight line but if there are sweeping corners or mountain curves, firm is the option of choice.
All options are accessible with the touch of a button on the screen.
On the climb from Hope to the Coquihalla Summit, the XC90 pulled confidently with no lag, even in the higher elevations. Passing trucks was effortless, and the adaptive air suspension adjusted beautifully between Comfort and Dynamic modes. The published 0–100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds is not only believable, it’s accurate.
Fuel efficiency is rated at 10.9 L/100 km city and 8.5 L/100 km highway, and I averaged about 9.1 L/100 km on the Vancouver-to-Kelowna run — impressive given the mountain terrain.
Descending into the Okanagan Valley along Hwy 97C, the engine braking and regenerative hybrid system added smooth control on long grades. Steering feels light in town but reassuring at highway speed. The XC90 isn’t built to thrill — it’s built to relax you while doing everything right.
My only disappointment with this vehicle is that the speed at which the car handles the best – cornering, smoothness, cruising etc. – is a speed well over the posted limit. Knowing where the sweet spot is, tempts you to drive in a more spirited fashion.
2025 Volvo XC90 – Safety Features
Volvo’s long-standing safety legacy shines brighter than ever in the 2025 XC90. Standard features include:
- Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane centering
- Collision avoidance and mitigation with pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection
- 360° surround-view camera
- Blind-spot information system with steering assist
- Cross-traffic alert with auto-brake
- Run-off road protection and mitigation
During my drive, Pilot Assist made the long stretches between Merritt and West Kelowna feel effortless — gently keeping the SUV centered while maintaining distance from vehicles ahead. The blind-spot alerts were perfectly calibrated, especially in the twistier canyon sections.
City driving was a little different. In the head-up display, an icon appears when the vehicle detects, based on the speed you are driving, if you are too close to the vehicle in front of you. If you drive in the Lower Mainland traffic, the required space to keep this icon from appearing in your display, is so vast, that if you leave that kind of space, you are guaranteed to have another car fill it. So, I had to come to terms with the fact that I just might be a tail gator.
Conclusion
After more than 800 km of BC highways, the 2025 Volvo XC90 left a deep impression. It’s the kind of SUV that feels designed for real life — serene on long drives, practical for family travel, and confident in all weather. Whether it was gliding through the misty passes of the Coquihalla or coasting down into sun-drenched Okanagan Valley, the XC90 handled every kilometer with calm composure, even at spirited speeds.
If you’re looking for a luxury midsize SUV that blends style, safety, technology, and performance, the 2025 Volvo XC90 deserves to be at the top of your list. For anyone planning a Vancouver to Okanagan road trip, it’s the ideal companion — Scandinavian sophistication meeting BC adventure.
My test model was the T8 AWD Ultra, with the optional protection package ($855), lounge package ($1,700), Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system ($3,750) and the Active Air Suspension ($2,350).
MSRP before fees: $104,055
