Yahoo Autos Volvo EX90 EV or Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid EV: Which 3-Row SUV is the Right Choice For You?
These three things are a given: A 3-row SUV is a must for many families; a luxury that accommodates car seats, strollers and diaper bags is a cut above the rest; and some level of electric power saves time and adds convenience. With these three things in mind, there aren’t many new car choices, so it may boil down to this: Volvo EX90 all electric SUV or Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid electric, or PHEV.
They are not simply the same car with a different powertrain. In fact, they vary quite a bit in both function—one all-electric the other part-time electric—and in design, power and price.
Here’s how they are similar, how they are different and how to tell which one is right for you.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
Volvo XC90: The Classic Luxury 3-Row SUV
The Volvo XC90 was introduced in its current form, a modern design with a large multimedia touchscreen and luxury touches, a decade ago. In the time since, Volvo has evolved the look and feel without making fundamental changes to its size or function. That idea remains the rule in the 2025 Volvo XC90 which just received a facelift and updated technology.
The XC90 is a mid-size SUV that, though it seats up to 7, doesn’t feel overly large. It’s almost hard to believe that it seats that many passengers, in fact, as the proportions look and feel much more like a compact SUV than a s-seater.
The new front end features an elegant new grille with a cross-hatched lattice look and a new simplified Volvo badge design. The grille is flanked by the Thor’s Hammer headlights and daytime lights, part of the modern Volvo iconography.
The plug-in electric hybrid is powered by a gas-powered motor and assisted by a plug-in hybrid electric system that generates 455 HP, 33 miles of all electric driving range and gets about 27 MPG when powered by only the gas engine.
Volvo EX90 Re-interprets the Modern 3-Row SUV
The front end of the Volvo XE90 is a clean take on the XC 90’s front end. Because it’s electric powered there’s no need for a grille, which is replaced by a solid panel anchored by the Volvo logo. Unlike the new logo on the XC90, this one is bisected by the classic Volvo diagonal belt. A pixeled version of Thor’s Hammer headlights frame the front of the EX90 creating a simplified, modern look.
The EX90 is powered by a 111 kWh battery that has a driving range of about 300 miles and generates 402 HP from the standard system and 510 from the performance system.
A Classic Tail Light Design Continues the Iconography of Volvo XC90
The rear end design of the 2025 Volvo XC90 keeps the classic shape and tail lights that have defined this SUV: the vertical split sextant design frames the liftgate from just under the roof spoiler to just above the bumper. The Volvo name spelled out across the center just below the rear window and prominent window wiper and the lower bumper.
To clean up the look of the rear, the bumper is spanned by a chrome bar that divides the bumper and the liftgate, and to keep the design clean, Volvo has hidden the XC90’s exhaust pipes underneath; they are not a visible part of the rear of the car.
A Modern Rear Look Defines the Volvo EX90
The rear of the Volvo EX90 is a design departure for the brand: rather than the navigational tool-inspired tail lights, the EX90’s rear end is framed by c-shaped tail lights and a light bar that sand the center of the lift age between the upper glass and lower gate. The Volvo name is spelled across the liftgate, which is framed by a dark lower bumper and of course, since it’s electric, no tailpipes or hint of them at all.
On first glance it might seems that Volvo has abandoned its iconic tail lights but in fact, no. The tail lights, when lit (and best viewed at night) take on the classic look. It’s a brilliant move toward both modern and classic.
Volvo XC90 Continues the Classic Look of Its Luxury Interiors
The interior of the XC90 will look and feel familiar to Volvo fans; the center console holds key functions including a wireless phone charger, drive mode selector and cup holders. The multimedia screen, dashboard and air vent shapes are similar to past models. And the modern Swedish chair design of the front seats look and feel as iconic as the originals.
For 2025, buyers will find many of the sustainable and renewable materials found in the EX90, as well as other electric cars from Volvo. Buyers can chose from Nordico leatherette made from plastics and plant materials, a woven fabric made from polyester or Nappa leather in the Ultra trim.
A Truly Modern Look and Feel Defines the Interior of the Volvo EX90
Get into the Volvo EX90 and you’ll immediately see the modern view of Volvo: A floating center console anchored by a single button that doubles as a dial a wireless phone charger and cup holders. Underneath there’s a nice storage space ideal for a handbag or small backpack as well as USB ports.
You’ll also notice, or perhaps not notice, the air vents. While they are vertical and prominent in the XC90, they are subtly tucked into the dashboard in the EX90. Like the XC90, however, the cabin has the elegant feel of premium materials, crafted seats and a panoramic sunroof that lets in lots of light.
What the Volvo EX90 Doesn’t Have
Missing from EX90 are some familiar things: a starter, which in the XC90 is the familiar start/stop dial on the center of the console; the EX90 powers on when you enter with the key. It’s also absent a gear shifter on the center console; the simplicity of the EX console is due to the gear shifter being moved to the steering column. The XC90 maintains a traditional gear shifter with the option of an Orrefor’s crystal shifter, which adds even more elegance to the feel of the cabin.
And then, the window controls: The XC90 has traditional window control buttons: one button on the driver’s side door for each of the four passenger windows. However, in the EX90 there are only two, plus a toggle to switch to select between the front and rear windows. It’s a bit of a back and forth to figure out which is selected and then put the window down, but our guess is buyers will get used to it once they can get over the frustration factor.
What the XC90 and EX90 Share: A New Touchscreen with Google Built In
This is one of the better features in the EX90 and it’s great that Volvo has added it to the XC90. The system expands on the multimedia screen that has long been the centerpiece of the Volvo cabin. The new system upgrades many of the features and functions, including Google voice assistance, maps and apps.
This means you can ask “hey Google” for almost anything: Turn on the heated seats, find the closest Starbucks or change the radio station. It really beats having to take your eyes off the road and hunt and peck around the touch screen for something while you’re driving.
Also new to the system are two fixed tool bars at the bottom of the screen: one for apps and one for climate. The app bar will update to feature your most used apps, but the climate bar will always remain so you can quickly access temperature, fan speed and heated or vented seats.
Volvo XC90 and EX90 Share the Same Rear Seat Configuration
Why reinvent something that needs no improvement? That’s the approach to the rear seats in both the Volvo XC90 and EX90: both offer flexible seating with a 3rd row, the option of center row captains chairs, and in upper trim models an integrated child booster seat in the center row middle seat.
Second and 3rd row seats are comfortable in scale with about 30” of seat pitch between front and center seats. The 3rd row, which might be considered a convenience row with limited leg room, is reachable either via a center passthrough or by sliding and tilting center outboard seats, which can be done with a forward facing child passenger seat installed.
Center and 3rd row seats include air vents and windows, and both models feature a small console between the 3rd row seats. There are two full sets LATCHes for installing a child passenger car seat in the center row, but none in the 3rd row.
Last, rear facing child car seats are best installed in one of the center row outboard seats or the middle seat, and with slender seats, 3 should be able to fit across the center bench.
How the Volvo EX90 and XC90 Compare in Price
Not surprisingly, the EX90 is more expensive, though for the price it may be a better deal when incorporating federal tax incentives, though the total price must be under $80,000, so the top of the line models won’t qualify. Feature for feature at the top of the line, though, the gas/battery hybrid and electric models are pretty comparable. Here’s how the two models are priced:
Volvo EX90
Twin motor generating 402HP 300 miles of range
Plus model: $79,995
Ultra starts at $85,640
Performance upgrade: $5,000 additional, generates 510 HP and has a range of 300 miles
Options: 2nd row captains chairs $500
XC90 Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Core model $73,000
Plus $75,800
Ultra $80,200, which includes Nappa leather interior
Options include Bowers & Wilkins premium sound, $3,200; heated rear seats and heated steering wheel, $750; Lounge package with massaging front seats and microsuede ceiling headliner, $1,700
How to Tell Which One is Right For You?
If you’re among those who want to go electric and permanently skip the gas station, you can. The Volvo EX90 offers 300 miles of range and all wheel drive, so it’s great for daily driving, short road trips and messy winter weather. For buyers who can install a level 2 charger at home (essentially, the same power as a clothes dryer), the EX90 could be a great option for daily driving.
Buyers who want or need the comfort of a gas-powered engine for longer trips and the joy of electric driving for shorter trips, the XC90 PHEV is a great option. By plugging in daily, the XC90 should be able to run mostly on electric and only use gas when longer trips are on order. Buyers can pick the experience: better than average fuel economy with regular fill-ups, or mostly electric driving and occasional fill-ups. Which sounds pretty good to anyone who hates the chore of getting gas.
Either way, being able to drive a luxury-filled 3-row SUV that gives you the choice between gas and electric is a luxury in itself.
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