A few days ago, the new Volvo XC90 arrived at port. The entire lineup gets a power upgrade plus an intelligent cockpit, with 84 km of pure electric range and a combined oil-plus-electric range of 1,329 km!
As the standard-bearer among Nordic luxury mid-to-large SUVs, this mid-cycle facelift not only gives the infotainment system a complete overhaul, but even the air vents have taken up "vertical-screen aesthetics." Even more aggressively, it has fitted the Bowers & Wilkins audio system and air suspension as standard.
But then again, these days if you don't bring some hardcore tech to the table, you really have no business competing with BBA. So today we're going to dig into whether this car is actually worth waiting for!
Attention! First, the price war you care about most: although the official price hasn't been announced yet, referencing the current pricing of 638,900–781,900 yuan, this mid-cycle facelift will most likely maintain the existing price structure.
But don't scroll away just yet—after reading this list of upgrades, you may feel that Volvo has really gone all in this time!
Exterior makeover: Thor's Hammer 2.0 goes live
The front fascia this time embraces "subtraction aesthetics." The shield-shaped grille is more three-dimensional, and the lower intake has dropped its complex lines entirely in favor of vertical vents.
Although the shape of the Thor's Hammer headlights hasn't changed much, the internal light-source matrix is said to have upgraded dynamic lighting functionality. The boldest move is that the wheel arches have quietly been widened by 4 cm, and paired with the new Starlet Sand color, from a distance it really has a bit of Range Rover-like presence.
Interior revolution: the center screen instantly becomes an iPad Pro
An 11.2-inch vertical screen has been shoved right into the center console—this size is absolutely enormous among luxury brands.
Special praise goes to the air vent design. The old horizontal vents were always mocked for looking like bathroom heaters; now they've been changed to vertical slats that perfectly echo the large screen.
But the most practical upgrade has to be the open storage design in the center armrest area—at last there's somewhere to stuff the ladies' high heels and the gentlemen's briefcases.
Audio mystique: the temple-level enjoyment of Bowers & Wilkins
The gleaming metal grilles on the door panels are no decoration. This Bowers & Wilkins audio system worth 80,000 yuan is legendary in the S90.
But a friendly reminder: optioning this audio system may cost you half your year-end bonus. Whether it's worth it depends on whether you're an audiophile.
Power black tech: a 1,000+ km range is no dream
The T8 plug-in hybrid version this time pushes pure electric range to 84 km (WLTP), 12 km more than the old model.
The most brutal part is that with a full tank and full charge it can run 1,329 km. Calculated on the 1,200 km distance from Beijing to Shanghai, you wouldn't even need to stop at a gas station along the way.
That said, I do have to complain about the battery capacity. An 18.8 kWh battery pack really isn't large by 2023 standards, but fortunately it supports DC fast charging, going from 0 to 80% in 35 minutes.
Chassis specialty: air suspension reaches new heights
The standard adaptive air suspension across the lineup absolutely deserves praise. Raise mode handles curbs with no trouble, while Sport mode can lower the body by another 2 cm.
In actual experience over potholed roads, ride comfort is softer than the BMW X5, though cornering support still isn't as crisp as the Porsche Cayenne.
Spatial secrets: the six-seat version is the real sweet spot
The actual cars arriving at port are all six-seat layouts. The second-row independent seats come with power adjustment and heating, and the center aisle is wide enough to fit a carry-on suitcase.
The third row, however, still can't escape its fate as a "pet seat"—anyone over 1.75 m tall will still have their knees pressed against the seat.
For families with two kids, I'd suggest the seven-seat version—after all, one more seat means one fewer fight.
Warning shots: infotainment smoothness remains questionable
Although it now uses the Qualcomm 8155 chip, Volvo's infotainment system has always suffered from a "Nordic coldness" problem. In the on-site experience, touch response was indeed fast enough, but the number of apps in the app store is still less than one-third of what the new forces offer.
Want CarPlay? Sorry, wireless connectivity is still not offered this time.
Buying guide: these three types of people should go for it blind
1. Two-child dads: CLEANZONE clean cabin + child safety interfaces throughout the car.
2. Long-distance road-trip fanatics: 1,329 km range + PA Pilot Assist system.
3. Detail obsessives: Orrefors crystal gear shifter + perforated Nappa leather seats.
To be brutally honest, as a car reviewer who doesn't accept payments from automakers, I have to say from the bottom of my heart: the XC90 facelift this time really has addressed its shortcomings, but in the face of encirclement by new forces like the Li L9, relying on the safety card alone probably won't be enough.
If the final price can drop into the 600,000 yuan range, then it would be worth going head-to-head with the GLE and X5.
That said, just based on the fact that this car's three-year value retention rate can still hold at around 65%, it's still far more reliable than buying certain "electric daddies"!
