Volvo XC90 2022 Review

The luxury midsize SUV market in Malaysia has long been dominated by traditional brands. Consumers demand an executive-level quality feel, prioritize the practicality of seven seats, and have nearly stringent requirements for safety features. The 2022 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD Inscription Plus, as a core contender in this segment, highlights its plug-in hybrid technology, full suite of safety systems, and Scandinavian minimalist design. In this test drive, we focus on verifying whether its family-friendly balance and luxury experience match its pricing.

From the exterior, the XC90 retains Volvo's signature vertical waterfall-style front grille, paired with the "Thor's Hammer" LED daytime running lights for high recognizability. The side profile of the vehicle features long and smooth lines, with a length of 4950mm and a wheelbase of 2984mm supporting the seven-seater layout. The 20-inch multi-spoke wheels enhance the sense of luxury. At the rear, the "Viking Axe" LED taillights are striking when illuminated. Overall, the design avoids excessive complexity, consistently embodying a Nordic minimalist style.

Inside the vehicle, the light-toned interior, combined with wood grain trim, creates a warm and upscale atmosphere. The center console adopts a 9-inch touchscreen, with a clear interface and decent operational smoothness. The Bowers & Wilkins audio system features 19 speakers, and with the added Sound Plus function, the sound quality is among the best in its class. For seating, the front seats come with electric adjustment and memory functions, featuring soft padding and sufficient support, making long drives less fatiguing; the second row supports manual recline and sliding adjustments, with a flexible 40:20:40 split ratio. The third-row space is suitable for passengers under 170cm in height, providing enough comfort for short trips. In terms of storage, the trunk offers a standard capacity of 436L, which can be expanded by folding the third row, meeting the cargo needs of family outings.

In terms of powertrain, the XC90 B5 is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system, delivering a maximum power of 249PS and peak torque of 350N·m, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. During daily driving, the mild hybrid system effectively reduces startup jolts, with linear throttle response. In sport mode, the acceleration performance is lively, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds, with ample power reserves for overtaking. The chassis uses a front double wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent suspension, with a tuning leaning towards comfort. It absorbs most minor road imperfections while maintaining vehicle stability over bumpy roads. The steering is precise with minimal dead zone, and during cornering, body roll is kept within a reasonable range, balancing both handling and comfort.

As for fuel consumption, the officially claimed combined fuel consumption is 8.2L/100km. In actual test drives, city driving averaged about 9.5L, while highway driving brought it down to about 7.8L. Considering the vehicle’s weight of 2.17 tons, this performance is average. The safety features are almost fully equipped, including 7 airbags, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, active braking, and so on, all as standard. The 360-degree panoramic camera and automatic parking functions also enhance daily convenience. In terms of noise control, wind and tire noise are not pronounced even at highway speeds, and the interior offers good sound insulation.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2022 Volvo XC90 B5 AWD Inscription Plus lie in its comprehensive safety features, luxurious interior quality, and the practicality of its seven-seat space. Compared with its competitors in the same segment, its safety features are a major highlight, covering almost all mainstream active safety functions, which is highly appealing to family users. However, the third-row space is relatively compact, and its fuel consumption performance is not particularly outstanding.

This car is suitable for family users who prioritize safety and pursue luxury quality, especially those who need a seven-seat layout but do not want to sacrifice driving experience. It does not have overly aggressive designs or exaggerated performance parameters, but it achieves a very good balance. If you value practicality and safety as a family user, the XC90 B5 Inscription Plus is worth considering.