2018 Volvo XC90

The 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum appears to be the best option out of the lineup. It comes with a 316-horsepower turbo-supercharged I4 engine and a slew of high-end goodies including four-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and adaptive headlamps. More importantly, opting for the XC90's higher trims will get you larger wheels, resulting in poorer ride quality. Add to it the affordability factor, and the XC90 base trims certainly sounds like a steal.

The 2018 Volvo XC90 comes in over 4 trims. The base T5 Momentum trim of the 2018 Volvo XC90 costs $46,900, and the top-of-the-line Excellence trim costs $104,900. Even in base Momentum grade, all three powertrains – T5 (FWD or AWD), T6 (AWD), and T8 (eAWD) – are available. The R-Design trim, which comes with race-oriented accents, starts at $52,300. The linear walnut veneer trim with natural grains is included in the more luxuriously appointed Inscription trim ($55,650). Inscription trim is only available with T6 and T8 engines. If you choose the T8 hybrid, you'll get a beautifully appointed interior, with added perks of one of the best-in-class performance and fuel efficiency figures. The Excellence trim level is only available on the T8, and it effectively transforms the XC90 into a four-seat luxury limousine.

On the package's front, adaptive headlights, headlight washers, a larger driver display, illuminated step plates, and additional interior illumination are all included in the Momentum Plus package. You can get front parking sensors, automated parking assist, a surround-view camera, heated windshield washer nozzles, a grocery bag holder, and a 12-volt power outlet with the Convenience package. Heated rear seats, a simulated suede headliner, leather grab handles and sun visors, and a massage feature for the front seats are included with the Luxury package (Inscription only).

Unlike the standard XC90, we found the plug-in hybrid to be neither seamless nor predictable. – Kelley Blue Book

The base 2018 Volvo XC90 model comes with a 250-horsepower turbocharged T5 engine and front-wheel drive. The T6 model adds a supercharger with a turbocharger system for a total of 316 horsepower. The T6 engine is exclusively available with an all-wheel drive, while AWD is optional in the base Momentum grade and standard in Inscription variants. The 400-horsepower XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid builds on the T6 powertrain by adding two electric motors and a charging connection.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on all XC90 engine types. The supercharger is designed to keep the engine responsive even at low rpm. However, there is still a tiny lag between tapping the gas pedal and feeling the acceleration. In addition, when pitted against the bigger engines in the competition, the little four cylinders can create a drone at high rpm that feels rough. The XC90's acceleration figures are on par with the rest of the field. The T6 engine-equipped Volvo XC90 can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

The 2018 Volvo XC90 is quite maneuvrable. It has a low, grounded feel about it. Stability control is calibrated for safety, and it activates early and frequently. Although there isn't a lot of feel or feedback from the steering, it is swift and predictable. The optional four-corner air suspension improves the ride quality even more. However, even in the XC90 with air suspension, considerable clattering noise can be heard over particularly severe bumps.

Volvo XC90 comes with steel disk brakes on all four wheels. The brake pedal has a short and firm journey that inspires confidence. The 2018 Volvo XC90 comes to stop from 70 mph in just 167 feet. The 2018 XC90 even with base T5 AWD can tow up to 5000 pounds. Quite useful for taking that expensive jet ski to your favorite lake. However, the Q7 with supercharged 3.0 V6 and equipped with towing package can tow more at 7,700 pounds. Still, we think 5000 pounds is more than enough for anyone and anything more is just for bragging rights.

The XC90 is not particularly efficient, even in plug-in guise. It outdoes its thriftiest V-6 competitors, but not by much – Car and Driver

The 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 has a combined EPA rating of 23 MPG, with 20 MPG in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway. However, the base T5 XC90 delivers 22 and 29 miles to the gallon in the city and highway respectively. Then there is the much more efficient T8 XC90 plug-in hybrid model, which is rated at an impressive 26 and 30 MPG in the city and highway. The T8 powered XC90 with electric power alone delivers just about 19 miles. The Audi Q7 powered by the 3.0L V6 is just moderately thirstier, achieving 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg while providing much more impressive performance numbers.

When Volvo opted to place a small four-cylinder engine in the huge XC90, they did so with efficiency in mind. Even in its most efficient configuration, the XC90 is only modestly more efficient than the competition. That's a major letdown, especially since the XC90's performance and refinement aren't up to line with the competition.

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 interior 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 XC90 interior stands out because everything is serenely simple, and the emphasis is on getting everything perfect rather than grabbing attention. In all configurations, the Volvo XC90's conservative exterior appearance has paid off with best-in-class baggage space. The 2018 Volvo XC90 has a cargo volume of 15.8 cubic feet.

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 2018 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. 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. 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.

The XC90’s exterior is equally elegant with no small dose of strength. – Kelley Blue Book

The exterior of the 2018 Volvo XC90 is likewise gorgeous, with a healthy dose of toughness. Take a look at those "Thor's Hammer" T-shaped LED running lights or the imposing grille with a giant Volvo symbol hovering in the center. Taillights that are lengthy and curved add beauty to the back. The XC90 wheel sizes ranges from 18 to 21 inches. The tailgate is power-operated, the door handles are lit, and the side mirrors are retractable for practicality. Maple Brown, Denim Blue, and Pine Grey are three new colors for the 2018 Volvo XC90. Magic Blue, Savile Grey, and Twilight Bronze are no longer available.

The 2018 Audi Q7 is the longest in the competition, measuring 199.6 inches in length, while the Lexus GX 460 feels more compact, measuring 192.1 inches in length. The 2018 Volvo XC90 is the widest and tallest of its competitors. The Audi Q7, on the other hand, has the longest wheelbase, while the Lexus has the shortest, measuring 109.8 inches.

Some of the main exterior features of the 2018 Volvo XC90 are:

• 18 inch 5 spoke alloy wheel
• Dual Integrated round tailpipes
• Panoramic Roof
• Headlight High-Pressure Cleaning
• Heated Windshield Washer Nozzle

Volvo’s commitment to safety is legendary, and it has put all of its best technology in the XC90 – Car and Driver

In all crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2018 XC90 the highest rating of Good. Furthermore, the XC90 received a Superior rating for front crash prevention, as well as ratings ranging from Marginal to Acceptable for how well the headlights illuminate the road ahead. The 2018 XC90 received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. For 2018, the XC90 gains plenty more driver assistance features as standard such as the new Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive system with adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.

Some of the safety features on offer are:

• rearview camera
• lane departure warning
• lane keep assist
• road sign detection
• adaptive cruise control
• blind-spot monitoring
• rear parking sensors
• rear cross-traffic alert
• pedestrian detection
• forward collision warning
• low-speed automatic emergency braking

2018 Volvo XC90 vs 2018 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 outclasses the Volvo XC90 with a more powerful engine and better acceleration figures. The ride and handling of the Audi is more poised as well with a stupendous AWD system aiding with traction all the time. Despite their pace, both the SUVs stop similarly.

The XC90 has a more sophisticated cabin with the latest tech on offer. It also gives more fuel economy and makes for a better long-distance companion. Adding to this companionship is a cavernous cabin and a bigger cargo space to carry stuff.

2018 Volvo XC90 vs 2018 Acura MDX

Both the Acura MDX and the Volvo XC90 compete on a more even ground with respect to the tech on offer. Both the SUVs get the best their manufacturers have to offer while also adding a lot of space inside the cabin.

The Acura, like the Audi Q7, employs a V6 under the hood which has less than decent acceleration figures. This pace puts it behind the Volvo in the posted times as well as in the fuel economy as well. The XC90 also has better braking performance, topped off with a well-balanced chassis.

The Volvo XC90 second generation has been on the market for nearly two years. However, it remains one of the most appealing SUVs on the market, both on the outside and on the inside. It's also extremely practical, with a genuinely useful third row and a large boot. However, Volvo's bet on extracting maximum power from a small inline 4 engine has failed, and larger engines from competitors are better sorted and fit better in a luxury SUV. The ride quality is also lacking – not something we want to mention for a luxury SUV. If you absolutely must have these, consider the well-rounded Q7.