That suspension provided a pleasant, insulated ride, and it handled most road situations well. Our test vehicle featured Volvo’s optional air suspension, which adds Eco, Comfort, Off Road and Dynamic drive modes along with customizable suspension settings. But, overall, the XC90 feels capable on the road. The XC90 is slowed in its quest for glory by powertrain shortcomings and chassis gremlins over hard bumps. The plug-in XC90 is rated by the EPA to provide 14 miles of EV-only range, and it requires three hours to charge from empty using a 240-volt outlet. The turbo- and supercharged powertrain sounds coarser than its competitors, however, and it can emit a groan at high engine speeds. All XC90 engine variants are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 starts with the T6 powertrain and adds two electric motors for a total of 400 horsepower. It’s optional in the base Momentum trim and standard in Inscription models the engine only pairs with all-wheel drive. The more powerful T6 version adds supercharging to the turbocharging system to result in 316 horsepower. The base model features the 250-hp turbocharged T5 engine paired with front-wheel drive. The XC90's powertrain can be had in three flavors, all of them riffs on the theme of Volvo’s 2.0-liter turbo four. The new model shares its turbo- and supercharged four-cylinder engine with the XC90 T6, but it adds two AC electric motors and a battery pack that provide extra power and 14 miles of EPA-rated EV range. The XC90 was all new in 2016, and for 2017 the T8 plug-in hybrid model joins the lineup. The total package can be expensive, but it’s nearly perfect. And while the XC90’s strengths lie in its expertly executed design and luxurious trappings, it’s also dynamically sound, hanging with the best in its class on the road and on the track.
2017 volvo xc90 review full#
Touchscreen infotainment and a full complement of standard safety features sweeten the deal. The interior is a magnum opus, with available leather wrappings, open-pore wood trim, and seats that would be at home in a modern-art museum. A selection of four-cylinder and plug-in hybrid powertrains makes the XC90 a pioneer in a segment full of V-6s, even if its options are less refined than some of the competition. As the flagship crossover of Sweden’s luxury brand, the stunning Volvo XC90 lives up to its mission.