The Volvo XC90 is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that has been produced and sold by Volvo ever since the 2002 model year. The SUV is well known for having stylish features, a great reputation for safety and quality, and good engine performance.
With the 2019 model year, the XC90’s many features will ensure it is popular with car buyers again.
Trim Packages and MSRP
The 2019 Volvo XC90 has three base trim levels, each of which can come with either all-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive and have a variety of entertainment and safety packages to choose from. The base model is the T5 Momentum, which starts at $47,000 and can increase to $55,000 based on the optional packages selected. The T6 trim starts at $55,000 and can increase to $65,000. The T8 trim is the hybrid option, which starts at $67,000 but can increase to over $100,000 if a driver opts for the plug-in hybrid option.
Performance Specs
The base engine option for the 2019 XC90 is a four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower. Those that are looking for more engine performance can upgrade to the turbocharged engine that produces 315 horsepower. Those that are looking for the most engine performance available will want to upgrade to the 400-horsepower plug-in hybrid engine, which also comes with an electric motor.
Fuel Efficiency
One of the biggest selling points of the Volvo XC90 is its fuel efficiency, which is one of the best in its class. With the base engine option and trim, a driver can expect to get about 26 mpg on a blended basis, which drops to about 25 mpg when the turbocharged engine is selected.
Those that are looking for the best fuel efficiency possible will want to upgrade to the plug-in hybrid engine. With this engine option, you can expect to get about 58 mpg on a combined basis. Furthermore, the electric-only function can go up to 17 miles without needing an additional charge.
Safety and Entertainment Features
Many people are impressed by the range of entertainment features available with the 2019 XC90. The XC90 has a large and elegant nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 10-speak surround sound audio system, two USB ports, keyless entry, and a standard moonroof.
Volvo generally receives very good safety ratings for the XC90. The 2019 XC90 includes a full suite of safety features including a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, following distance indicator, blind spot monitoring, speed limit recognition, and driver attention monitoring. There are also control that you can put in place that can make it safer for a teen or inexperienced driver to operate. These features are part of the reason why it has received very positive ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.
How it Stacks Up Against the Competition
The 2019 XC90 stacks up very well against the competition.
The amount of entertainment and safety features is unmatched by other crossover SUVs. Another feature that many people will be impressed by is the comfortable interior. At even the base trim level, the XC90 comes with a very comfortable and stylish interior that has high-end materials. The SUV, which now is equipped to seat seven passengers, has very ample leg room for all and good cargo space compared to the rest of the class. Plus, drivers will enjoy additional comfort features including heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Pros and Cons
There are a variety of advantages that come with the 2019 Volvo XC90. One of the main pros is its suite of safety and entertainment features. While most luxury crossovers have these features as upgrades, Volvo has included many of them at the base trim. This helps to make the XC90 one of the most fun, comfortable, and safe crossover to drive.
Another advantage of the XC90 is that it gets great fuel efficiency compared to other vehicles in the same class. With a highway mpg that almost hits 30, the XC90 is quite efficient. If you’re looking for a more efficient crossover, the XC90’s hybrid model is a worthwhile choice as it provides up to 58 mpg and 17 miles of electric-only range.
One disadvantage of the XC90 is that the base engine option is not too powerful compared to others in its class. While 250 horsepower is likely enough for most people, those that want more power can always upgrade to the 315-horsepower turbocharged engine, which will provide plenty of performance to anyone.