Volvo XC90 2025 Review

The competition in the mid-size luxury SUV market has become increasingly fierce in recent years. Family users demand ample space and practical configurations, while also expecting luxury and a great driving experience — the 2025 Volvo XC90 Ultra B5 is specifically designed to meet these needs. As the mid-trim version of the XC90 lineup, it is equipped with a mild hybrid system, standard air suspension, and a full suite of safety features, offering excellent value for money. In this test drive, we will focus on its everyday practicality, dynamic performance, and configuration advantages to see if it can become the "all-round choice" for family users.

The XC90 Ultra B5 parked by the roadside showcases the familiar Nordic design style, with bold yet understated lines. The front features a waterfall-style grille paired with Volvo's signature "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, which are highly distinctive; the headlights also integrate cornering assist lights, providing a wider illumination range when turning at night. The side of the body retains the square silhouette of an SUV, with 20-inch multi-spoke wheels paired with 275/45 R20 tires, achieving a balance of stature and agility. At the rear, the "Viking Axe" LED taillights are the finishing touch, with the vertical arrangement of the light bars making it particularly striking at night. The silver skid plate under the rear bumper adds a touch of ruggedness to the overall design.

Opening the door, the interior exudes a sense of simplicity, without unnecessary decorations, but with a solid choice of materials. Most of the center console is covered with soft leather, while the armrest box and inner sides of the door panels feature wood grain trim, which feels high-quality to the touch. The 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel offers clear displays and can switch between fuel consumption, navigation, and other information. The 11.2-inch center control screen uses Volvo's latest infotainment system, supporting voice control and CarPlay connectivity. The operational logic is straightforward and easy to grasp. In terms of configuration, it comes standard with electrically adjustable front seats, which provide excellent support and cushioning. The second-row seats can fold down in a 40:20:40 ratio, with the third row folding down 50:50, allowing flexible adjustment of storage space. Additionally, practical features like a panoramic sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control, and rear USB ports are all included, ensuring every family member remains comfortable while traveling.

In terms of space, the XC90 Ultra B5 has body dimensions of 4953mm in length, 1931mm in width, and 1767mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2984mm, placing it in the upper mid-range within its class. A passenger with a height of 175cm sitting in the front seat will have a headroom of a fist plus two fingers. When seated in the rear seat after adjusting the front seat, the legroom reaches two fists, with a headroom of about a fist; even with three people in the second row, it doesn't feel cramped. The third-row space is relatively tight, more suitable for children or shorter trips for adults, as longer journeys might be less comfortable. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 653L, which can hold two 28-inch suitcases and a few backpacks without issue. Folding down the third row increases the capacity to 1856L, which can easily accommodate large furniture when needed.

In terms of power, the XC90 Ultra B5 is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine paired with a 48V mild hybrid system, delivering a combined output of 263PS and a combined torque of 390N·m. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. During daily driving, the mild hybrid system assists the engine during startups and low-speed driving, providing responsive acceleration and eliminating sluggish starts. During mid- to high-speed acceleration, pressing the throttle deeply results in smooth power delivery, with the transmission actively shifting down for overtaking. The 80km/h to 120km/h acceleration phase is also not sluggish. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.7 seconds, which is completely adequate for a 7-seater SUV.

In terms of handling, its standard air suspension is a highlight. When switched to comfort mode during daily driving, the suspension can filter out most minor road bumps, and there is no hard impact when driving over speed bumps. On roads with continuous potholes, the body sway is minimal, and the stability is impressive. The steering feels relatively steady and heavy, with minimal play and clear precision when cornering; coupled with the full-time all-wheel-drive system, the body roll is well-controlled during high-speed turns, and there’s no noticeable sway. The braking performance is also reassuring, with a moderately long brake pedal travel and a linear feel when pressed. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains a straight line without veering off course.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 50 km each on congested city roads and highways, with the air conditioning on and two passengers onboard throughout. The final calculation showed the city fuel consumption is approximately 9.2 L/100 km, highway consumption drops to 7.1 L/100 km, and the combined fuel consumption is 8.3 L/100 km, which is very close to the official figure of 8.1 L/100 km. For an SUV weighing over 2 tons, this fuel consumption performance is very practical.

In terms of driving comfort, the performance of the XC90 Ultra B5 is remarkable. The cabin insulation is excellent, with minimal tire and wind noise below a speed of 80 km/h; when driving at speeds above 100 km/h, wind noise becomes slightly more noticeable, but it doesn’t affect normal conversations. The seat cushioning is very soft, so sitting for long periods doesn’t feel tiring; the rear air conditioning vents allow for independent temperature adjustment, enabling rear passengers to cool down quickly in summer. The integration of the mild-hybrid system is very smooth, with almost no perceptible engine start-stop jolt, making it very user-friendly for daily driving.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2025 Volvo XC90 Ultra B5 stand out: first, its safety features are comprehensive, with standard functions such as seat belt reminders for all seats, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance, which are particularly family-friendly; second, it has flexible space, with a 7-seat layout and foldable rear seats that can meet the needs of both multiple passengers and large cargo; third, it offers high value for money. Compared to its counterparts in the same class from brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, it offers a lower price while including standard features like air suspension and Bowers & Wilkins sound system, giving it a clear advantage in terms of configuration.

Compared to rivals such as the BMW X5 30i and Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, the XC90 Ultra B5 is nearly 50,000 MYR cheaper, yet it offers even better safety and comfort features. Although its power is slightly weaker than the X5 30i, it’s more than sufficient for daily use. The ideal consumer for this car is someone who values safety and needs ample space for their family—whether it's taking the family on a weekend camping trip or commuting to and from work, it can handle it all with ease.

In conclusion, the 2025 Volvo XC90 Ultra B5 is a mid-size luxury SUV with “no obvious shortcomings”. Its well-rounded performance, practical features, and accessible price make it a perfect fit for the needs of family users. If you’re looking for a safe, comfortable SUV that’s also practical for family use, it’s definitely worth adding to your shortlist.