2025.5 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD ULTRA - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

The Most Stylistic, Yet Understated and Appealing Decor of Any SUV

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Do you remember Woody Allen muffing a bank heist in Take the Money and Run? He hands the teller a misspelled note reading "This is a gub" (not gun), which leads to a protracted debate about spelling, not theft. Well Volvo's XC90 would have made his perfect getaway car because he would never have found first gear. For my entire week operating this otherwise sumptuous SUV, I struggled to figure out just how the rather pompously named "Crystal Geartronic Shifter by Orrefors" might be persuaded to engage either Drive or Reverse when its see-through glass knob was parked in Park. It augured the beginning of a non-love affair with the incomprehensible demands of the newly enlarged 11.2 inch "center display with touch screen." As if operational matters required additional obfuscation, the XC90 comes without a printed Owner's Manual. Rather, you are referred to a Digital Owner's Manual available on that oversize cell phone masquerading as a dashboard. However, should you need to reference anything via the Big Screen while underway, you are greeted with this commandment: "The Owner's Manual is Unavailable While Driving." So the system is foolproof and the fool is you.

The XC90 T8 AWD ULTRA occupies the top slot of Volvo's SUV model range. In one form or another, the XC90 has been available for the better part of the last decade. In latest T8 ULTRA form, it conjoins a couple of mild styling tweaks (newly notched hood, slimmer headlights, redesigned grill with diagonal chrome strips). Our test vehicle was finished in a rather restrained new exterior color called Mulberry Red. The sensational looking interior, which is titled "Cardamom Ventilated Nappa Leather" represents a Scandinavian Design refuge from the crass excesses of most SUV interiors. The front seats are glove soft leather, with heating, ventilation, and a multitude of adjustment possibilities. Opting for the Ultra configuration amends the fitment to include three position memory slots for both front seats, plus power cushion extension, power adjustable side support, and adjustable power massaging routines.

You may discover that the massaging offers welcome relief from the pitchy, unyielding ride quality that characterizes the suspension behavior of the XC90 over pavement imperfections. You can't blame it on the XC90's 275/40R21 Pirelli Scorpion Verde all-season radials, nor the 21-inch "5 Multi Spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy" rims. rather, the harsh gate is attributable to the $1,800 optional "Active Chassis With Air Suspension." This elective bit of sophistry seems to have two settings, firm and extra firm, and offers little in the way of comfort. You can play around with the limited number of ride adjustments available on the touch screen, but the end result amounts to pretty much the same buckboard ride. In Europe, 22 inch wheels are optionally available, but be glad that you can't get them here in the USA because they would drop tire sidewall height to oxcart dimensions. So save yourself the two grand outlay for the Active Air, and go with the standard shock and spring suspension platform.

The strong point of the T8 is its explosively quick hybridized engine with plug-in recharge ability. It may be hard to fathom, but this Volvo utilizes a 2.0-liter, inline 4 cylinder motor to produce 455hp and 523 lb.-ft. of torque. The magic lies in the recipe. Turbocharge and intercool the four-banger and equip it with direct injection to produce 312hp. Then hook it to a 143hp electric motor and drive all four wheels through an 8-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission. The results when you plant your right foot on the go pedal will rock your cradle harder than this genteel SUV would ever have you expect. My first drive on Coast Route 1 led me to an encounter with two identically painted metallic blue Porsche 911 GT3 of very recent manufacture. Every time this pair of purebreds caught up with my lumbering SUV, I would blow them off with a simple blast of acceleration. Those prodigious looking Porsches proved no match for Volvo's lumbering beast of burden. Frankly, I was amazed at just how fast this The 5,100-pound SUV proved itself in a straight line. Acceleration figures confirm that the T8 will post a 0-60mph time of 4.8 seconds, and a standing start quarter mile run of 13.4 seconds at 105mph. But the XC90 is no match for those 911s in top speed, because it's governor is limited to 113mph.

If you think of the ULTRA version of the XC90 as a Scandinavian designer's showcase which happens to have a trick engine and four driven wheels, you're on track for gratification. This SUV has without question the most stylistic, yet understated and appealing decor of any SUV I have encountered to date. If you can put up with its many performance idiosyncrasies, you will enjoy a tastefully appointed living room on wheels that has the capacity to take-off like a fighter jet when the runway beckons.

2025 VOLVO XC90 T8 AWD ULTRA

• ENGINE: 2.0 liter inline-4, turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC 16-valve, direct fuel injection + AC Motor, 15kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 3.7kW onboard charger
• HORSEPOWER: 455hp
• TORQUE: 523lb.-ft.
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 27MPG (Gasoline Only)
• PRICE AS TESTED: $88,695

HYPES: Massive Motor Momentum, Luxe Cabin

GRIPES: Distracted Driving Operational Controls

STAR RATING: 7.5 Stars out of 10

©2025 David E Colman