STUD OR DUD? Volvo Lifts The Skirt On The All New XC90

Volvo has unveiled the all-new XC90, the most important car in the firm’s recent history.

Described as being “three years in the making and part of a £6.5 billion investment programme”, the Swedish car maker says the arrival of the XC90 marks “the beginning of a new chapter in Volvo’s history, capturing its future design direction”. It also claims that the new XC90 is “hard evidence of the ‘Volvo by Volvo’ strategy”. 

The range-topping Twin Engine model will carry the T8 badge and, says Volvo, “be a plug-in electric car, hybrid car and high-performance car rolled into one”. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine to power the front wheels and an 80bhp electric motor to drive the rear wheels.

chewy - 8/26/2014 3:27:45 PM

+3 Boost

Solid, but all the teasing from Volvo had me expecting amazing. I don't see the Volvo twin charger matching up completely to competitor's 6 cylinders.

TheSteve - 8/26/2014 3:30:10 PM

+1 Boost

I'm liking it pretty much.

ROVER357 - 8/26/2014 3:51:47 PM

+4 Boost

I like the interior better than the exterior. It looks a large VW Tiguan. Maybe the R version will look better.

trmckin - 8/26/2014 4:52:14 PM

+4 Boost

interior is nice. exterior looks like a buick.

ROVER357 - 8/28/2014 10:25:24 AM

+1 Boost

The grill is pure Buick.

w222 - 8/26/2014 4:55:01 PM

+6 Boost

The exterior is generic looking... I see some BMW and Audi. The interior is where the car shines. At 49k starting price, it's in the same territory as the Germans. But the clean and minimalistic interior is peerless in this price range.

scenicbyway12 - 8/26/2014 5:19:37 PM

+2 Boost

It looks like Volvo is back to "Volvos, Yes they are boxy, but they're safe".

JRobUSC - 8/26/2014 6:24:47 PM

+2 Boost

swap out the grill for kidneys and you'd have an X5 outside. Inside looks nice, like the most upscale Buick ever (not in a bad way). Interested to see how that turbocharged AND supercharged AND hybrid 4-cyl making 400-ish hp works in the real world. On paper it seems like a reliability nightmare, and it's hard to imagine it legitimately having good fuel economy, but I hope it's successful, because if it's good other manufacturers will come out with similar configurations.

4ron - 8/26/2014 6:28:00 PM

+1 Boost

A stud all the way! Great design and presence. This is a new beginning for the brand.

jeffgall - 8/26/2014 7:05:49 PM

+5 Boost

Will probably be one of the better all around luxury midsize SUVs. Has three rows (X5 and ML do not) and more utilitarian for the family than the Q7 and JX (errr QXWHATEVER). Good price for the size and interior quality.

Style is a bit plain, but not offensive by any means.

cidflekken - 8/27/2014 1:27:32 PM

+2 Boost

X5 has a 3rd row option

Henanamani1 - 8/26/2014 7:17:59 PM

+6 Boost

Nice but looks like a station wagon.

JustaCar - 8/27/2014 1:07:34 PM

0 Boost

SUVs are station wagons!

mini22 - 8/26/2014 7:18:47 PM

+1 Boost

Look this thing is a largish SUV that probably was 4,500 to 5,000 LBS.
it a conservative looking vehicle that has taken some styling cues from the concept coupe and CUV. However probably due to special requirements it's not a car that can look to racy or aggressive. The big deal about this car is it's absolutely beautiful interior. It is stunning and totally Scandinavian in classic Volvo tradition. If the engines perform as claimed and it's handling half decent this car will be a big seller for Volvo.

MattDarringer - 8/26/2014 8:16:51 PM

+2 Boost

Base hit.

This will keep Volvo from being the next SAAB...for now.

This looks like what should have replaced the XC90 5-6 years ago.

I have to wonder if this was in the pipeline when Ford was in danger and it got put on hold and then when Geely bought Volvo they decided to build it even with its straight out of 2007 styling.

I give it a B-.

mini22 - 8/26/2014 8:31:05 PM

+1 Boost

Other than a Range Rover(which in my eyes tends to look now more like a Ford Flex)what really large SUV is really good looking. The answer in my eyes is none of them are. Their all pretty conservative looking. However the interior of this Volvo is fabulous. That's what's going to sell this vehicle.

iamdabest1 - 8/27/2014 12:35:42 AM

+2 Boost

its good, but i think we all expected better. no real wow factor, it just looks like a nice refresh .
volvo did what they do best and that is play it safe, in this case, thats not necessarily a good thing.
i like it, but dont love it.

rumnyc - 8/27/2014 4:42:24 AM

+1 Boost

looks interesting, but i can't see myself picking this over a similarly priced x5. don't get me wrong, the new x5 is no beauty queen, but i find its better its interior & exterior better than this.

if i were buying an xcover or suv now, i'd get the porsche macan over either for similar price, or a range rover sport if i wanted something bigger.

randy3023 - 8/27/2014 12:09:05 PM

+2 Boost

Too upmarket.
Volvo should have toned down the wood, leather, and other pointless amenities and launched this for under $40k. That way, a few families can actually afford it and would buy it over a hyundai or a buick. Alas, the competition at $50k is just too much for something as unreliable as a Volvo to bear.

JustaCar - 8/27/2014 1:13:29 PM

+1 Boost

So Volvo who prides itself on safety is now using a laptop-size touchscreen in its cars! This is an ergonomic fail and a major distraction factor while driving. I guess it make economic sense since it is easier to design and less expensive to produce than a well designed joystick/knob control system.

cidflekken - 8/27/2014 1:31:08 PM

+4 Boost

I'm a little surprised it's been 12 years since the first XC90, and THIS is what its replacement is. It already looks 5 to 10 years old, not much different than the previous generation Highlander. The interior looks nice, if not a little sterile and cold.

wcbrown - 8/28/2014 11:12:22 AM

+2 Boost

Volvo's interpretation of a BMW X5. Gorgeous interior.