2021 Volvo XC90 Review

The XC90 comes with one of three available engines:

• The T5 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque).
• The T6 upgrades to a turbocharged and supercharged version of that engine (316 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque).
• The Recharge uses the same engine as the T6 but adds an electric motor and battery pack (combined 400 hp, 472 lb-ft). This is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that allows you to go about 18 miles on all-electric power before it switches over to regular gasoline power.

All XC90s come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers optional all-wheel drive. All other XC90s come standard with all-wheel drive.

Seating for seven is standard, though the T6 and Recharge powertrains in Momentum/Inscription Expression or Inscription trims can have a six-seat configuration with second-row captain's chairs.

Momentum (called Inscription Expression for the XC90 Recharge)
This base trim level comes with:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Hands-free liftgate
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Driver-seat memory settings
• Heated front seats (AWD only)
• Faux leather upholstery (T5) or leather upholstery (T6 and Recharge)
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Navigation system (T6 and Recharge only)
• 10-speaker audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Wireless charging pad

Advanced driving aids and safety features include:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volvo and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

There are several packages and stand-alone options available for the Momentum/Inscription Expression trim level. They include:

• Advanced package
• Ambient interior lighting
• Navigation system (T5 only)
• 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Volvo and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
• Climate package
• Heated wiper blades
• Heated front seats (FWD only)
• Heated rear seats (AWD only)
• Heated steering wheel
• 20- or 21-inch wheels
• Leather upholstery
• 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Integrated booster cushions for outboard rear seats
• Air ionizer (helps further filter and clean air in the cabin)

R-Design
The R-Design is positioned as the sporty XC90. Upgrades over the base model include:

• 20-inch wheels
• Black exterior trim
• Illuminated door sills
• Ambient interior lighting
• Front sport seats with thigh cushion extension and heating
• Passenger-seat memory settings
• Leather upholstery
• Rear sunshades
• Navigation system
• 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

Unless already included, the optional features listed above for the Momentum trim are available for the R-Design, except the 21-inch wheels. Additional options include:

• 22-inch wheels with performance tires
• Air suspension (adapts to provide greater ride comfort or sportier handling)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
• 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system

Inscription (T6 and Recharge only)
The Inscription offers more luxury features, building off the Momentum with these additions:

• 20-inch wheels
• Chrome exterior trim
• Illuminated door sills
• Ambient interior lighting
• Heated and ventilated front seats with thigh cushion extension and side bolster adjustment
• Passenger-seat memory settings
• Upgraded leather upholstery
• Rear sunshades
• Navigation system
• 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system

Unless already included, all features on the Momentum/Inscription Expression trim are available for the Inscription. Additional options include:

• Lounge package
• Massaging front seats
• Simulated suede headliner
• 21-inch wheels
• Air suspension
• Automated parking system
• 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system
• Wool blend upholstery (removes front-seat ventilation)