By NITISH S. RELE – motoringflorida@gmail.com

It is no secret that there had been plans to replace the hot-seller XC90 with the all-electric XC90. We sure are glad that those proposals were nipped in the bud. After all, the six- or seven-passenger midsize Volvo SUV has been a big hit with luxury buyers. And with a 2025.5 refresh inside and out, it is exceptionally more attractive than before.

Once again, our 2026 T8 AWD plug-in hybrid was equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged engine doling out a solid 455 horsepower and 523 pounds-feet of torque. The 8-speed auto gearbox is smooth, accurate and straightforward to engage. The gross capacity of the center-mounted lithium-ion battery is now up to 18.8 kWh. Add the rear electric motor to the mix and you can go up to 36 miles before pumping gas. On a 240-volt outlet, you are looking at just five hours to juice up the SUV. Guaranteeing considerable fuel and weight savings is also the start-stop feature (auto engine stop when the vehicle halts). Suspension is handled adeptly via a double wishbone front and integral axle rear system. A electric power rack-and-pinion steering provides good feedback. Drive modes in the 5,000-towing-capable vehicle include hybrid, pure, power, off-road and all-wheel drive.

If you crave a sporty look in an SUV, go for our test-drive Ultra/Dark trim with black accents on the slim headlights, grille, bumper, mirrors, and dimmed tail lamps. Of course, the familiar iron mark emblem and Thor’s hammer-like LEDs maintain their status quo. Peek inside and you will discover that the vertical 9-inch display touch screen is history. And rightly so, with its replacement being a larger and user-friendly 11.2-inch infotainment system, now angled toward the driver. Adorned in shimmer graphite aluminum inlays, gauges in the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster instrument panel are large and legible. The look and feel of short crystal shifter by Orrefors are probably the best we have experienced in any luxury SUV. Google built-in Assistant, Maps and Play store are fully integrated into the XC90 to work quickly and efficiently. Four-zone auto a/c, heated/cooled front Nappa leather seats with Navy herringbone weave, heated rear seats and steering wheel, hands-free power tail gate, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger come at no extra cost.

Safety features include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, lane departure/keep aid, blind spot information, cross traffic alert, auto park and hill start assists, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance/warning, four-wheel antilock brakes, side impact protection, dynamic stability and traction control, 360-degree camera, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights.

The stylish, agile and functional XC90 is in a class of its own. Indeed, the appealing off-road-capable SUV is a perfectly blended package of luxury and performance.

XC90 T8 (ULTRA/DARK)

Tires: 275/40R21

Wheelbase: 117.5 inches

Length: 195 inches

Width: 79.1 inches

Height: 69.9 inches

Fuel capacity: 18.8 gallons

Mileage: 27 mpg combined gas, 58 MPGe

Weight: 5,064 pounds

Base price: $83,400

Price as tested: $89,695

Web site: www.volvo.com