“Volvo’s interiors continue to be among the most impressive. Sleek, sophisticated and anchored by Swedish minimalism, it’s all elegantly cohesive.” – Kelley Blue Book
The luxury SUV market is crowded with competitors, each with its own set of tricks up its sleeves. The XC90, on the other hand, follows Volvo's Swedish simple and stylish style. Unlike other luxury brands' polished-to-almost-synthetic wood trim, the XC90 has bare walnut wood with natural grains.
You may appreciate those finely crafted crystal gear knobs if you purchase the T8 powertrain. The switches are actuated in an unusual way and have a knurled finish for a unique feel, which is desirable in a $60k vehicle. The XC90 stands out because everything is serenely simple, and the emphasis is on getting everything perfect rather than grabbing attention.
2018 Volvo XC90 Seating and Comfort
The standard 2018 XC90 has two rows of seating that can accommodate up to five people. Seating for up to seven people is available in models with a third row, and four people can sit in models with second-row bucket seats. There's plenty of room for the driver and passengers, and the XC90's smooth, high-quality seats exude refinement. Synthetic or genuine leather upholstery, as well as wood and aluminum dash detailing, can be found throughout the elegant cabin.
The ergonomics are perfect, and everything feels natural and within reach. Everyone gets the driving position they like, and outward visibility is unlimited, thanks to the seemingly infinitely changeable steering wheel. Volvo has eschewed the SUV trend of thick D pillars, giving you the best back view in the class.
| Model |
2018 Volvo XC90 |
2018 Audi Q7 |
2018 Acura MDX |
2018 Lexus GX460 |
| First Row Passenger Space (Headroom/Legroom) |
38.9/40.9 |
38.4/41.7 |
38.1/41.4 |
38.0/41.7 |
| Second Row Passenger Space (Headroom/Legroom) |
39.3/37.0 |
38.8/38.8 |
38.3/36.6 |
40.4/34.1 |
| Third Row Passenger Space (Headroom/Legroom) |
36.3/31.9 |
35.9/29.2 |
35.6/28.1 |
35.2/29.3 |
Interior Features
- 4-Zone Electronic Climate System
- Power Driver Seat W/Memory
- Heated Front Seats (Optional)
- Heated Rear Seats (Optional)
- Heated Steering Wheel (Optional)
- 360 Degree Surround View Camera (Optional)
2018 Volvo XC90 Infotainment System
The XC90 has a portrait-oriented infrared interaction touchscreen in the middle. Not only is infrared technology cool, but it also allows you to use the touchscreen while wearing gloves, which is ideal for when you're at the ski resort. However, the touch response is still inferior to that of the Audi Q7.
All trim levels of the 2018 Volvo XC90 come equipped with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The optional head-up display (HUD) displays critical information on the windscreen (Fan of fighter jets? Check the box next to the choice). Polarized glasses, on the other hand, make it impossible to read them. Volvo offers a $3,200 19-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system (standard on Excellence grade) for audiophiles, and it looks as good as it sounds.
2018 Volvo XC90 Cargo Space
In all configurations, the Volvo XC90's conservative exterior appearance has paid off with best-in-class baggage space. The XC90 shares a load volume of 16 cubic feet with the Audi Q7 when all three seats are up. When the second row is folded, it expands to 42 cubic feet, somewhat more than the Q7 (41 cubic feet).
| Model |
2018 Volvo XC90 |
2018 Audi Q7 |
2018 Acura MDX |
2018 Lexus GX460 |
| All Seats Up |
16 |
16 |
15 |
15 |
| Third Row Folded |
42 |
41 |
38 |
38 |
| Second Row Folded |
86 |
77 |
72 |
68 |
With 86 cubic feet of cargo room when all rows are folded, the XC90 can easily swallow all of your pricey adventure gear. That's a lot more room than the Audi Q7 has (77 cubic feet). In addition, the optional air suspension allows the rear end to be lowered for easier luggage loading.
