Volvo XC90 Review: Is The Future SUV Going Mild Hybrid? | Full Specifications & Price

There used to be a time when SUVs could not have been imagined without a diesel engine. SUVs, after all, are big vehicles meant for long journeys where you need the torque of diesel along with the range. Well, diesel is no longer as popular as it once was and slowly but surely all SUVs are now turning to petrol power.

The XC90 is a big luxury SUV that was first launched with a diesel engine but now Volvo is moving away from them while bringing in a petrol-only mild hybrid line-up.

Hence, the big XC90 now gets a 2.0l four cylinder turbo petrol with a 48V mild hybrid battery set-up. In total the power output is 300hp and 420Nm. In comparison to the diesel XC90, there is more power but slightly less torque. However, in reality how does it drive? The big advantage with these mild hybrid petrols include the lack of any noise. There is no mild diesel grumble coming to the cabin and the refinement is excellent and that sort of suits a big luxury SUV like the XC90. You get air suspension, a standard 8-speed automatic and AWD of course.

The engine is smooth and there is no lag. In-fact if you are not told about the engine size, you would think it's a 6 cylinder. Response is immediate but with a linear power delivery. Where the XC90 mild hybrid also scores is with the matter of high speed cruising, which might be an issue with a small engine powering a big SUV- but it is not. It goes upto big speeds easily and can stay at that speed all day with the sense of effortless driving which a luxury SUV is expected to have. However, the XC90 is for comfortable long distance driving with refinement, luxury and ease of driving in mind while not being too sporty. 

That you get the sense and you drive the XC90 at a relaxed pace with which you enjoy this SUV more. Volvo cars are about comfort and luxury- that we get. What helps is that the massive XC90 feels very light to drive in the city while having a good combination of ride plus handling via its air suspension. Yes, only the sharpest of potholes would be felt through the cabin but overall, the suspension is comfortable, silent and again suits the car. Efficiency is around 10kmpl and that is pretty good for a huge SUV plus we are sure it is due to its mild hybrid system. A bigger engine would drink more fuel.

In other terms, the XC90 remains the same and looks different along with having road presence- in white especially. This is a design that has not aged with a simple yet handsome look. The same goes for the interior. A lot of the functions are put inside the touchscreen and we would have liked more physical buttons but the touchscreen is easy to operate nevertheless. The quality is very much visible with a sleek yet simple look. The XC90 being a big 7-seater luxury SUV gets the usual features that you would expect like a panoramic sunroof, Bowers & Wilkins (1400 W, 19 speakers) audio system which sounds lovely, 360-degree camera, Park Assist Pilot, Heated front seats with Massage function. Of course there are radar based tech like adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, Lane Keeping Aid and Blind Spot Information System with Cross traffic alert.

The XC90 petrol mild hybrid is priced at Rs 90 lakh and brings a different luxury SUV experience when compared to its German rivals. That is where the XC90 shines with its design, smooth mild hybrid and high comfort levels. Compared to the diesel, the XC90 stands out even more now from its rivals with this new engine.

What we like- Looks, quality, features, comfort, performance

What we do not- Does not get the latest Google based infotainment system as the XC60