Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra Review — Not much has changed but still a One and Done

If you’re expecting the latest Volvo XC90 to be a completely different machine from the one before it, you’re already setting yourself up for disappointment. This isn’t that kind of car, and this isn’t that kind of update.

But if you’re wondering whether the XC90 is still worth buying in 2025 — maybe even 2026 — then keep reading. Because while the facelift may be subtle, the essence of what made the XC90 so loved has aged like fine wine.

It’s still one of the most complete, well-packaged luxury SUVs you can buy today — a proper seven-seater with space for everyone, a big boot, top-tier safety, supreme comfort, and a drive that soothes more than it excites.

It’s not a machine for adrenaline junkies. It’s a car for people who have outgrown the chase. For those who just want one vehicle that can do it all — and do it gracefully.

This, right here, is the One and Done.

A facelift the Volvo way

Volvo’s idea of a facelift is refreshingly mature. No fake vents, no exaggerated lines — just gentle refinement where it matters.

From a distance, the XC90 looks almost unchanged, which says a lot about how timeless the design already was. But move closer, and the updates quietly reveal themselves.

The new grille with its criss-cross pattern replaces the old horizontal bars, adding depth and texture to that upright, confident face. The iconic Iron Mark remains the centrepiece, sliced diagonally by Volvo’s trademark chrome bar — a badge that speaks softly but carries authority.

The front bumper has been subtly reshaped too, with a wider central air intake and slimmer corner inlets. It’s a small touch, but it gives the SUV a stronger stance — like it’s wearing a better-tailored suit.

As much as I’d love to tell you there’s a whole list of changes here, the truth is you’ll need either a press release or a magnifying glass to spot most of them.

The Thor’s Hammer headlights are now slimmer and sharper, the rear bumper has been cleaned up, the bonnet wears a slightly different contour, and there’s a new set of wheels to round off the look. That’s about it. Subtle, almost invisible to the untrained eye — but enough to keep the XC90 looking current without messing with what already worked.

Calm Luxury, Now More Connected

Step inside and the world outside fades away. The XC90’s cabin remains a masterclass in Scandinavian restraint — where simplicity, not spectacle, defines luxury.

The Charcoal Nappa leather upholstery feels supple yet durable, paired with real Grey Ash wood trim that runs across the dashboard all the way to the door cards in quiet contrast. It’s still one of the best-looking interiors in its class, and now, it’s smarter too.

The facelift brings a new 11.2-inch portrait infotainment display, running on Volvo’s latest Google-based interface. It’s faster, sharper, and far more intuitive than before. No gimmicky animations, just clarity and purpose — exactly how Volvo likes it.

Navigation through Google Maps, Spotify, or voice commands via Google Assistant feels natural, and because it supports over-the-air updates, the system won’t feel outdated in a few years. The layout is clean, icons are large, and everything is within thumb’s reach. It’s modern, but not overbearing.

This, combined with the unchanged Volvo signature 12.3-inch driver display, keeps the cabin feeling contemporary — still distinctively Volvo, but in step with the times.

One thing, though. As luxurious as the rest of the cabin feels, I do have a small gripe with the infotainment screen. Yes, it’s faster, clearer, and finally up to modern standards — but the design itself feels a little out of step with the rest of the interior.

The way it juts out from the dash looks a bit dated, especially now that Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and even Volkswagen have moved toward cleaner, more integrated displays. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means — most people probably won’t even notice — but for me, it slightly breaks the otherwise seamless flow of an otherwise beautiful cabin.

Space, practicality, and everyday use

One of the reasons people love the XC90 is its ability to do the family-car thing without feeling like a family car.

It’s passable as a true seven-seater — the second row remains a three-seater bench, but shaped to be more comfortable for the outer passengers. Access to the third row is easy, and when folded flat, the boot is massive. You could fit luggage for a long holiday, a stroller, or half of Decathlon in there and still have room left.

Around the cabin, you’ll find Volvo’s trademark attention to detail — sturdy door bins, clever storage nooks, and USB-C ports where you actually need them. Even the air-con vents are crafted to feel solid and expensive. Everything you touch feels like it’ll still work a decade from now.

It’s a car built for people who use their cars — not just pose with them.

Driving Experience: The calm performer

On the road, despite having 462 hp and 709 Nm of torque under the bonnet, the XC90 T8 Ultra doesn’t shout about performance, yet it never feels underpowered. It’s the kind of car that glides rather than attacks.

Under the hood sits the same plug-in hybrid system — a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor — that together deliver smooth, consistent power. The gearbox deserves special mention: it’s so refined that you often forget there’s a transmission at all. Transitions between EV and petrol power are seamless, the kind you only notice when you’re actively listening for them.

It’s one of the most EV-like hybrids you can buy. Around town, it moves silently in electric mode; on the highway, it combines both sources of power so naturally that the experience feels almost organic.

Then there’s the air suspension, which transforms bad roads into non-events. Potholes, uneven tarmac, speed humps — all handled with Scandinavian grace. The ride is plush and composed, and even fully loaded with passengers, it maintains a level stance and comfort that few rivals can match.

Even the steering has a luxurious character to it — more about smoothness than sharpness. It’s not that it lacks feedback; you still know what the front wheels are doing. But the emphasis here is clearly on comfort and refinement, not connection.

It’s not perfect, though. When pushed through corners, you can feel the XC90’s size and softness. It leans a little, moves a bit — a wallow, like a hippo in slow motion — but always in control. This isn’t a sports SUV, and it doesn’t pretend to be one. Instead, it’s a masterclass in stability and comfort. A car that trades sharpness for serenity — and wins.

Refinement: A rolling sanctuary

Volvo has quietly perfected the art of calm. The XC90’s cabin is one of the most peaceful places you can sit in traffic.
Noise insulation is top-tier — wind and tyre sounds are almost completely muted, and the hybrid system allows you to crawl through city jams in near silence.

Even at speed, the XC90 feels hushed. You hear more of your playlist than the outside world. It’s the kind of refinement that turns daily drives into mini detox sessions — a cocoon from the chaos of city life.

And with the PM 2.5 air-quality sensor, even the air you breathe feels cleaner. It’s a detail most people overlook, but after a week in KL traffic, you’ll understand why it matters.

Safety: The Volvo promise

Volvo’s reputation for safety isn’t marketing — it’s legacy. The XC90 T8 Ultra carries forward that promise in full.

The list of safety tech reads like a glossary of everything the industry aspires to. Front, side, curtain, and driver’s knee airbags, an integrated booster cushion, ISOFIX mounts, and a suite of driver-assist systems that borders on overprotective.

There’s collision avoidance and mitigation, steering avoidance that detects pedestrians, cyclists, and even scooters, rear collision warning and avoidance, lane-keeping assist, run-off-road mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert with auto brake, oncoming lane mitigation, Pilot Assist, and a 360-degree camera.

It’s an armour of technology designed not just to protect, but to predict. The kind of car that’s probably seen danger before you have.

At RM434,888, the XC90 T8 Ultra isn’t cheap, but it feels entirely justified. The base B5 Ultra sits at RM418,888, but the T8’s plug-in hybrid system adds another layer of sophistication.

You still get a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and eight years / 160,000 km coverage for the PHEV battery. Considering the technology and craftsmanship on offer, that’s fair value for a seven-seater European SUV that’s as comfortable in Damansara Heights as it is on a long drive to Desaru.

It’s also reassuring to know that the XC90 remains locally assembled in Malaysia, which helps with parts availability and aftersales support.

The “One and Done” SUV

The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Ultra isn’t new in the way marketing teams love to shout about. It’s not reinvented, reimagined, or reborn.
It’s just… better.

The facelift doesn’t change the character — it enhances it. A bit more polish here, a bit more tech there, and the same timeless design that still turns heads without trying.

It’s comfortable, confident, and clever. It’s the SUV that makes you stop thinking about what’s next, because this already ticks every box that matters.

Sure, it won’t thrill you in corners, and it doesn’t chase Nürburgring lap times — but that’s the beauty of it. It’s self-assured, mature, and quietly brilliant.

For those who want one car that can do it all — school runs, road trips, work commutes, and family holidays — the XC90 T8 Ultra remains a class act.

It’s smooth. It’s safe. It’s solid.
And in a world obsessed with more, the XC90 reminds us that sometimes, one is enough.

The One and Done.