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Why Lease The XC90?

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Donna Kelly has over 14 years of experience in the motoring industry, writing, test driving and tweeting about cars. Her weekends are spent trackside, covering racing events.

Volvo XC90 Review 2021

If you're looking for a luxurious seven-seater with a large boot and plenty of space for all the family, look no further than the Volvo XC90

With its distinctive exterior, active safety systems and generous equipment list, the Volvo XC90 is one of the best cars in its class, giving rivals such as the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and BMW X5 a run for their money. 

Our Volvo XC90 review covers:

Volvo XC90 Key Features

  • Refreshed exterior design with signature 'Thor's Hammer' headlights
  • Minimalist interior with 12.3-inch portrait-style infotainment screen
  • 356 litres of boot space with all seven seats in place
  • Choice of petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid engines
  • Three trim levels including Momentum, R-Design and R-Design Pro

Design, Practicality and Boot Space

Like the rest of the Volvo range, the new XC90 features lots of Scandinavian influences in its design, with recent updates to its style helping to keep the XC90 at the top of its game.

Volvo XC90 exterior

Exterior design highlights include Volvo's signature 'Thor's Hammer' headlights, a deep front bumper, a bluff radiator grille, dual exhausts, and a crisp rear end. R-Design models are even more distinctive thanks to its gloss black exterior trim, silver roof rails and large alloy wheels. 

Inside, the XC90's vast interior is better than ever. There's loads of room up front to stretch out with a generous amount of shoulder room, although not quite as much as you get in the Audi Q7 or Land Rover Defender.

All XC90s come with seven seats as standard. The middle-row can fit three adults in reasonable comfort, but the rearmost two seats feel a little cramped part, so they are only really intended for small children on short trips.

Elsewhere, the XC90 lives up to its practical image with its numerous storage solutions. In addition to a large storage area in the centre console, a decent-sized glovebox, two large cupholders and deep door pockets help keep essentials safely stowed. 

At the rear, the XC90's 356-litre boot with all seven seats in use is amongst the best in its class, with enough room for a couple of large bags or a big weekly shop. 

With five seats in place, the boot space increases to an impressive 1,007 litres, allowing you to carry two large pushchairs, a couple of sets of golf clubs or three large with ease. Stow away all the seats, and there's 1,856 litres on offer.

Interior and Trims

As expected from a Volvo, the XC90 boasts one of the best minimalist dashboards on the market. A mix of materials is used, including chrome trims, gloss-black fascias and lots of leather.

All models come with a cool 12.3-inch portrait-style infotainment screen that controls the entertainment and climate systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring is also included on higher-spec models, but the Audi Q7 still stands out for its sharp graphics and easy-to-use controls. 

There are three trim levels to choose from, including Momentum, R-Design and R-Design Pro. However, the T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid model is only available with Inscription Expression and Inscription Pro specifications. 

The entry-level Momentum trim comes with a generous specification as standard, including Bluetooth, sat-nav, cruise control, keyless start, a reversing camera, park assist, a hands-free power tailgate, and 19-inch alloy wheels. 

The R-Design model adds sports seats in leather and nubuck, gear shift paddles behind the steering wheel and a gloss black exterior trim.

The top-spec R-Design Pro receives Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. 

Power and Performance

Under the bonnet, the Volvo XC90 is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 247bhp or a 2.0-litre diesel engine with 232bhp – both badged B5.

Volvo XC90 interior

Both engines use mild hybrid technology to help reduce CO2 emissions and boost performance, but the B5 diesel model is best if you do lots of motorway driving. 

A plug-in hybrid model, called the T8 Recharge, is also available, combining a supercharged 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor for 449bhp. With official CO2 emissions as low as 63g/km and up to 25 miles of pure electric driving, the T8 Recharge remains a popular choice with company car drivers

Every version of the XC90 features four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

Whichever engine you choose, out on the road, the XC90 strikes a neat balance between comfort and agility. While there is a fair amount of body roll in corners, overall refinement is very good, and its road-biased set-up makes plenty of grip and for a comfortable ride in all models.  

Leasing vs Buying

Prices for the new Volvo XC90 start from £59,730.00 OTR* or to lease from £584.69 per month.

Thinking of getting behind the wheel of the new Volvo XC90? Car leasing offers many benefits over buying, including fixed monthly rentals and a low initial outlay. 

All our lease deals include road tax, breakdown cover, the manufacturer's warranty and free mainland GB delivery direct to your door (exclusions apply). 

*'On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change. Always check with your nearest retailer. 

Customer Reviews

Volvo XC90
Average Rating Based on 35 reviews
4.2 out of 5

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3.0 out of 5
Ian Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Plus Dark AWD Geartronic

The touchscreen system is hopeless, no direct access buttons on facia for every day heater controls as an example, Volvo as a supposed safety company, has been really stupid with the lack of direct buttons. Taking your eyes off the road too often for simple things. Plus lack of USB support on audio is a joke - even basic cheap cars have this. Servicing trying to charge me £15 for a fob battery, gives very bad impression. Shame as much of the car is pretty good, lack of gearbox sport option is also very poor. Nationwide are, however great to deal with, its daft things that Volvo have done that marks this car down.

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4.9 out of 5
Robert Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Plus Dark AWD Geartronic

Love the car love the tech had a few squeaky noises coming from the back seats which is really annoying it’s been to Volvo 3 times and the noise is back very annoying other than that is a great car

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4.3 out of 5
Craig Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Momentum AWD Geartronic MY22

Its a good car but can be expensive to maintain.

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4.0 out of 5
David Volvo XC90 2.0 T8 Recharge PHEV (455) R DESIGN Pro AWD Auto

The vehicle is fantastic drive but the fuel economy/battery life & recharge costs make it expensive to run. A charge takes 8 hrs, costs over £6 and only gives you 28 miles in normal driving. Volvo quote 42 miles but this is impossible. Long distances result in 25mpg with the petrol engine. As the car is a company car it has beneficial tax allowances but if these are ever removed (which they will be) this car is not worth the extra money to lease (or buy). The diesel would be a much cheaper option for the miles we do,

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3.7 out of 5
Victoria Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Momentum AWD Geartronic

It’s a lot of money to pay for a car which has had several faults in the first year. The inside interior is flimsy and it doesn’t feel like a luxury car. I do however love the space and comfort of it.

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4.7 out of 5
Tadeusz Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Inscription AWD Geartronic

Everything I expected and more. Would not hesitate to order the same again when the time comes.

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5.0 out of 5
Christoffel Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Inscription Pro AWD Geartronic

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3.6 out of 5
Peter Volvo XC90 2.0 T8 Recharge PHEV R DESIGN Pro AWD Auto

very safe vehicle but fuel economy not great

  • Practicality
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4.7 out of 5
Vitaly Volvo XC90 2.0 T8 Recharge PHEV Inscription AWD Auto

Volvo XC90 Recharge is a great hybrid SUV with a roomy and extremely well built cabin, main drawbacks are somewhat constrained visibility due to massive A pillars and a smallish battery.

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4.1 out of 5
Andrew Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) Inscription AWD Geartronic

XC90 is an award wining car - if you want a large family SUV its perfect.

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4.9 out of 5
Simon Volvo XC90 2.0 T8 Recharge PHEV R DESIGN Pro AWD Auto

really got to watch the wheels against curbs, the optional surround camera system should be a standard option even when the battery power has gone i'm still doing 30+ miles to a gallon don't like the temperature controls being touch screen rear camera useless in wet/dirty road conditions which making parking, particularly also in the dark really tough

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4.7 out of 5
John Volvo XC90 2.0 T8 (390) Hybrid R DESIGN AWD Geartronic

Excellent Spec, powerful and economical for size when charged and using around the city

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4.6 out of 5
Aoife Volvo XC90 2.0 B5P (250) Momentum AWD Geartronic

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3.4 out of 5
Andrew Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) R DESIGN AWD Geartronic

The vehicle is fine. However it was delivered nearly a year ago covered in scratched and swirl marks. Chips away won’t come to my home which is whom you put me in touch with and they can’t come to my work as there is no power. The first quote from chips to Volvo was rejected and the second one accepted to only polish the sides of the car. It’s still not fixed and although nationwide, Volvo and chips have been involved I’m left 11 months in having paid all of my rentals for a premium vehicle which does not have a premium paint finish... not happy

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4.9 out of 5
Richard Volvo XC90 2.0 B5D (235) R DESIGN AWD Geartronic

My 4th XC90 and second of the new generation. Cant really beat it as an all round large family SUV.

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