All Units Sold Out in Korea Thanks to Local Appeal... Enjoy Your "Favorite Playlist" and a "Safe Drive" With the Whole Family in the New XC90 [Test Drive]

Volvo's Flagship 'XC90'
"Reborn as a Family-Friendly SUV"
First to Feature Next-Generation User Experience 'Volvo Car UX'
Enhanced Infotainment System with Naver's 'Whale' and More
Mild Hybrid Powertrain... Up to 300 Horsepower

Volvo's flagship sport utility vehicle (SUV), the XC90, has returned after five years as a facelifted model, "The New Volvo XC90" (hereafter referred to as the XC90). In addition to its refreshed exterior and enhanced performance, the XC90 now features a completely overhauled infotainment system and user experience (UX), adding new points of appeal. On July 8, I drove the vehicle from Seoul to Yeongjongdo, Incheon.

Volvo 'The New Volvo XC90'. Volvo Korea

The exterior of the XC90 has received subtle updates to the headlights, front bumper, and hood. The bumper grille, which previously featured a vertical pattern, now adopts a diagonal design, giving the vehicle a robust and cohesive appearance. The LED headlights, reminiscent of Thor's hammer, extend to the grille, creating a sense of spaciousness.

Upon opening the door and getting inside, the first thing that catches the eye is the 11.2-inch standalone high-resolution center display in the middle of the dashboard. The XC90 is the first model to feature Volvo Car UX, a next-generation user experience developed by Volvo Korea in collaboration with Tmap Mobility specifically for the Korean market.

The vehicle is equipped with "Tmap Auto" for navigation, SKT's dedicated automotive AI platform "NUGU auto," the "Tmap Store" supporting various applications, and Naver's web browser "Whale."

Inside the car, drivers can enjoy a wide range of entertainment content, including YouTube, over-the-top (OTT) streaming services, social networking services (SNS), music streaming, and webtoons. When I launched YouTube, I was able to watch videos seamlessly thanks to 5G-based connectivity.

Volvo 'The New Volvo XC90'. Photo by Oh Hyungil

Volvo Korea supports the digital experience by providing a five-year digital service package and offering 15 years of free over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing drivers to experience a truly connected car.

In addition, a high-fidelity sound system, developed in collaboration with British high-end speaker brand Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), delivers an immersive audio experience. Nineteen speakers with a total output of 1,410W are distributed throughout the vehicle, blending seamlessly with the interior design.

The dashboard incorporates wood and 100% recycled polyester, creating a warm atmosphere. The seats, made from premium Nappa leather, are available in the newly introduced "Cardamom," "Charcoal," and "Blond" colors, replacing the traditional "Ochre" shade long associated with Volvo. As a seven-seater with ample space in the third row, the XC90 seems well-suited for three-generation family trips, including parents and children.

Volvo 'The New Volvo XC90'. Volvo Korea

Turning the ignition switch located beneath the Swedish crystal luxury "Orrefors" gear knob, the engine responds quietly in the distance. Additional sound-absorbing materials have been installed between the engine compartment and the cabin, as well as in the firewall, to reduce engine noise, wind noise, and road noise.

The model I test-drove featured a gasoline-based 48V mild hybrid (MHEV) powertrain, which accelerated smoothly when I pressed the pedal. With a maximum output of 300 horsepower and a regenerative braking system, the vehicle enables efficient fuel consumption.

Including both city streets and highways, I drove a total of 140 kilometers for over three hours under typical conditions, achieving a fuel efficiency of 10.5 kilometers per liter. This figure surpasses the standard combined fuel efficiency of 9.5 kilometers per liter, thanks to the regenerative braking system that operated so smoothly it was barely noticeable while driving.

Volvo 'The New Volvo XC90'. Photo by Oh Hyungil

The test vehicle was the "Ultra" trim, which comes standard with air suspension. The ride quality was outstanding, as the car absorbed road bumps and speed bumps with remarkable smoothness.

For many, "safety" is the first thing that comes to mind with Volvo. The XC90 features a safety cage made from boron steel (ultra-high-strength steel) and is equipped with a side impact protection system (SIPS). In addition, the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) utilizes advanced external sensing technologies such as radar, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras to automatically support collision avoidance and mitigation functions.

The XC90 is available in two models: plug-in hybrid (T8) and mild hybrid (B6). The B6 Plus trim is priced at 88.2 million KRW, the Ultra trim at 99.9 million KRW, and the T8 at 116.2 million KRW. Despite the high price, the addition of features favored by Korean consumers led to 1,300 pre-orders before the official launch, with all units for the year already sold out. Attention is now focused on whether the XC90 can help Volvo Korea recover from its sluggish performance in the first half of the year.

Volvo 'The New Volvo XC90'. Volvo Korea