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Used 2021 Volvo XC90 SUV Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2021 Volvo XC90 is a three-row midsize luxury SUV. It comes with one of three available powertrains that Volvo calls the T5, T6 or Recharge (last year's T8). These powertrains can then be matched to one of three trim levels that influence how many features the XC90 comes with. The trim levels are Momentum (called Inscription Expression for the Recharge powertrain), R-Design and Inscription.

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)

Which XC90 trim does Edmunds recommend?

A large people-mover like the XC90 requires an engine that can carry its weight, and we're not convinced the base T5's power is sufficient when you've got your XC90 laden with passengers and cargo. As such, the next-level T6 is worth the upgrade for its ability to accelerate effortlessly. We think it's also worth paying extra for either the R-Design or Inscription trim level. Both cost roughly the same and add a healthy list of features.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Marshfield, MA
Vehicle
XC90 T5 Momentum
XC90 T5 R-Design
XC90 T6 Momentum
XC90 T6 R-Design
XC90 T6 Inscription
XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription Expression
XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 R-Design
XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription
Vehicle
T5 Momentum
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all XC90 T5 Momentum for sale
1 for sale near you
T5 R-Design
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A
See all XC90 T5 R-Design for sale
T6 Momentum
2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A
See all XC90 T6 Momentum for sale
4 for sale near you
T6 R-Design
2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A
See all XC90 T6 R-Design for sale
Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription Expression
2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A
See all XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription Expression for sale
Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 R-Design
2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A
See all XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 R-Design for sale
Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription
2.0L 4cyl Twincharger gas/electric plug-in hybrid 8A
See all XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid T8 Inscription for sale
Hide similarities
Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
optional
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Parking assistance
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Upholstery
leatherette
premium leather
leather
premium leather
premium leather
leather
premium leather
premium leather
Heated seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Not Available
Not Available
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
all wheel drive
Engine power
250 hp @ 5,500 rpm
250 hp @ 5,500 rpm
316 hp @ 5,700 rpm
316 hp @ 5,700 rpm
316 hp @ 5,700 rpm
400 hp @ 6,000 rpm
400 hp @ 6,000 rpm
400 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Engine torque
258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
472 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
472 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
472 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
Engine displacement
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
2.0 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
inline 4
Transmission
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Tire size
235/55R19
275/45R20
235/55R19
275/45R20
275/45R20
235/55R19
275/45R20
275/45R20
Wheel size
20 X 8.0-in
20 X 8.0-in
20 X 8.0-in
20 X 8.0-in
20 X 8.0-in
Wheel type
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG/City/Hwy/Combined MPG (Gas only)
21 / 30 / 25 MPG
21 / 30 / 25 MPG
19 / 28 / 22 MPG
19 / 28 / 22 MPG
19 / 28 / 22 MPG
26 / 28 / 27 MPG
26 / 28 / 27 MPG
26 / 28 / 27 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe/City/Hwy/Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
58 / 53 / 55 MPGe
58 / 53 / 55 MPGe
58 / 53 / 55 MPGe
Fuel Capacity
18.8 gal.
18.8 gal.
18.8 gal.
18.8 gal.
18.8 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
18.5 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)/Gas Driving Range (city/hwy)
395 / 564 miles
395 / 564 miles
357 / 526 miles
357 / 526 miles
357 / 526 miles
481 / 518 miles
481 / 518 miles
481 / 518 miles
Fuel Type
premium unleaded (recommended)
premium unleaded (recommended)
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (required)
premium unleaded (recommended)
premium unleaded (recommended)
premium unleaded (recommended)
Section Title

Battery

Battery

Battery

Battery

Battery

Battery

Battery

Battery

EPA Electricity Range
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
18 mi.
18 mi.
18 mi.
EPA KWh / 100 mi.
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
58
58
58
Time To Charge Battery (At 240V)
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
3.0 hr.
3.0 hr.
3.0 hr.
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Curb weight
4,374 lb.
4,374 lb.
4,555 lb.
4,555 lb.
4,555 lb.
5,099 lb.
5,105 lb.
5,099 lb.
Ground Clearance
Overall Width with Mirrors
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
84.3 in.
Overall Width without Mirrors
Height
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
69.9 in.
Length
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
195.0 in.
Wheelbase
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
117.5 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
41.8 cu. ft.
41.8 cu. ft.
15.8 cu. ft.
15.8 cu. ft.
15.8 cu. ft.
15.8 cu. ft.
15.8 cu. ft.
15.8 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
38.9 in.
Front Leg Room
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
40.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
57.7 in.
Rear Head Room
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
37.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
56.6 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
$57,175
$59,272
$61,480
$62,257
$64,412
$65,896
$63,493
$65,671
Average Cost Per Mile
$0.76
$0.79
$0.82
$0.83
$0.86
$0.88
$0.85
$0.88
Depreciation
$15,589
$16,851
$16,759
$17,295
$18,953
$22,196
$19,923
$21,696
Financing
$5,343
$5,854
$5,950
$6,038
$6,390
$6,867
$6,766
$7,080
Taxes & Fees
$1,803
$1,952
$1,980
$2,006
$2,108
$2,247
$2,218
$2,309
Fuel
$13,156
$13,156
$14,954
$14,954
$14,954
$12,190
$12,190
$12,190
Insurance
$6,244
$6,419
$6,414
$6,541
$6,584
$7,119
$7,119
$7,119
Maintenance
$10,449
$10,449
$10,531
$10,531
$10,531
$10,385
$10,385
$10,385
Repairs
$4,591
$4,591
$4,892
$4,892
$4,892
$4,892
$4,892
$4,892
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Charcoal, leatherette
Blond, leatherette
Blond, leather
Charcoal, leather
Charcoal, premium leather
Blond, premium leather
Charcoal Nubuck, premium leather
Maroon Brown, leather
Blond, leather
Charcoal, leather
Charcoal, premium leather
Blond, premium leather
Charcoal Nubuck, premium leather
Midnight Zinc, sueded microfiber
Slate, premium leather
Amber, premium leather
Maroon Brown, premium leather
Charcoal, premium leather
Blond, premium leather
Blond, leather
Charcoal, leather
Charcoal, premium leather
Blond, premium leather
Charcoal Nubuck, premium leather
Midnight Zinc, sueded microfiber
Slate, premium leather
Amber, premium leather
Maroon Brown, premium leather
Charcoal, premium leather
Blond, premium leather
Exterior
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Pine Grey Metallic
Pebble Grey Metallic
Birch Light Metallic
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White
Pine Grey Metallic
Pebble Grey Metallic
Birch Light Metallic
Savile Grey Metallic
Thunder Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Bright Silver Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Ice White