Is the Volvo XC90 the most quietly impressive luxury SUV on the market?

In this episode of The Mega Car Review Podcast, Marv and Claudia delve into one of the most quietly impressive luxury SUVs on the market – the Volvo XC90. Known for its Scandinavian design, cutting-edge safety tech, and understated elegance, the XC90 is often overlooked in a segment dominated by flashier rivals. But should it be?

Our hosts dissect the XC90 from every angle that matters to real-world buyers. Marv takes a close look at the hybrid powertrain options and how Volvo balances performance with eco-conscious engineering. Meanwhile, Claudia unpacks the family-friendly features – from third-row comfort to cargo space and child seat practicality – that make this SUV a serious contender for anyone juggling school runs with weekend getaways.

They also dive into the finer details that set the XC90 apart: the minimalist interior design, the portrait touchscreen interface, and Volvo’s reputation for top-tier safety. Does the XC90 deliver the premium experience its price tag suggests? Is it still worth considering in a market increasingly flooded with electric newcomers?

Marv and Claudia also zoom out to explore what the XC90 says about Volvo’s broader vision. How is this Swedish automaker carving out its niche between German dominance and rising Asian competition? And with a full-electric successor already announced, where does this current XC90 stand in the timeline of Volvo’s transition?

Whether you’re a parent hunting for a practical luxury SUV or someone interested in how legacy carmakers are evolving, this episode offers a sharp, informative take on one of the most sensible – yet sophisticated – options on the road today.

Episode Highlights:

• A look at the XC90’s hybrid technology and fuel economy
• Deep dive into design, comfort, and everyday usability
• Analysis of Volvo’s safety innovations and their real-world relevance
• Broader discussion on Volvo’s brand identity and future direction

Subscribe to The Mega Car Review Podcast for weekly insights into the cars shaping today’s roads – and tomorrow’s. And if the XC90’s caught your attention, let us know your thoughts or suggest what we should review next!

Transcript

0:00

Welcome everyone to another deep dive. Today we're getting into a vehicle that, well, it really seems to do a great job balancing luxury, safety, and uh just plain practicality. That's right, the Volvo XC90, it pops up consistently. Exactly. We've looked at sources like the definitive guide to the Volvo XC90 to figure out what makes this SUV, you know, perennially interesting. Our mission today. Unpack its history, its standout features, and what you really need to know if maybe you're thinking about buying one. Sounds good. Let's jump in. The evolution is quite something. It really is. How did it start out? Well, it first launched as a very solid, safe family SUV, but the big change that one everyone talks about was the 2nd generation. They kicked off around 2015, right? That felt like a major shift. Oh, totally. It wasn't just a facelift. It was a whole new design language, much more sophisticated tech. It really. Pushed it into that proper premium territory, moving away from just ruggedness and that reputation, especially for safety, it's just core to Volvo, isn't it? It absolutely is. It's almost like their philosophy. They've constantly been at the forefront pushing safety innovations like the city safety system. I remember that being a big deal on the XC90. Precisely debuted on the XC90. Autonomous braking to help avoid collisions now, you know, pretty much standard across the industry, but Volvo led the way there and. they nailed that identity too, those Thor's hammer daytime running lights. They're unmistakable. Yeah, they really signify that blend of sort of strength and elegance. It sets it apart, definitely. But it's not just looks and safety tech, right? The powertrains evolved quite a bit too. Hugely important. That's been another key differentiator, especially the T8 plug-in hybrid. Ah yes, the T8. Tell us a bit about that one. Well, it's pretty clever actually. It combines a supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine. With an electric motor. So you get serious horsepower, like proper performance supercharged and turbocharged. Yep, plus a decent electric only range for shorter trips. It was Volvo really showing how you could blend performance with um the growing need for sustainability, especially in that premium market. OK, so you've got this mix of safety style, innovative powertrains. Who is This car actually for? Who's the typical buyer? Good question. I think it really speaks to someone who, well, prioritises space, definitely safety that's a given with Volvo, but also wants a refined, comfortable driving experience. So often families maybe looking for versatility. Exactly. Families needing a premium vehicle that can handle the school run just as easily as a long holiday road trip. It's very versatile. Makes sense, which brings us nicely to the used market. If you're looking for one now, what does that landscape look like? It's interesting. We looked at some data from Market Check UK. They tracked this stuff closely. Right now there are just under 2000 XC90s listed for sale. OK, about 1,971, they said, and the average price, sitting around 39,000 pounds on average. But, and this is the key thing for potential buyers. The range is huge. How are we? Well, you could technically pick up a very early one, like a 2005 D5 model with, say, 158,000 miles for about 3050 pounds. Seriously, 3350 pounds. That's almost nothing for such a big SUV. I know. But then at the other extreme, you've got nearly new 2025 models like a top spec T8 plug-in hybrid with only 1000 miles going for Uh, 79,000 pounds. Wow, that's an incredible spread from less than 1500 pounds to nearly 80,000 pounds for the same model nameplate. It really shows the car's journey, but beyond that sticker price. You have to think about running costs, right? Insurance groups differ. Fuel efficiency varies wildly between, say, an old diesel and a new hybrid. In servicing, road tax, all different depending on the specific versions. And it's worth remembering, you know, those older, cheaper ones might seem tempting, but they could come with higher maintenance risks. Certain first gen diesels had done weak spots, maybe air suspension issues, things like that. And the newer ones, the hybrids with the T8s, especially older used ones, you'd want to check the battery health. The complexity of the system means specialist knowledge is probably a good idea for maintenance, right? So that leads perfectly into a kind of buyer's checklist. If you're looking at a used XC90, what are the absolute must checks? Definitely check for issues common to specific years. Early second gen cars, for example, sometimes had infotainment system quirks that got ironed out later for updates maybe yeah. Usually it fits with software. For any T8, look closely at the service records for battery checks or related work. A detailed service history is gold. And maybe get an independent inspection, especially from someone who knows Volvos. Highly recommended. Seriously, doing that homework up front can save you a lot of potential hassle and money down the line. Make sure it's a solid purchase. Absolutely. So to wrap up, the XC90 really has carved out this enduring spot, hasn't it? Premium SUV constantly evolving. Yeah, it stays true to those core Volvo values safety, practical luxury, family focus while adapting to new tech and demands. So here's something to think about, maybe a final thought for you listening. When you dig deep into just one model like this, the XC90, what does it tell us about bigger trends? You know, trends in car design, safety breakthroughs, but also how what we want from a car, how ownership itself is changing. It's more than just the metal, isn't it? It really is. It reflects our priorities on the road, how they shift over time. A fascinating case study, really.