2025 VOLVO XC90 B5 AWD REVIEW | FIRST DRIVE

Volvo launched the latest iteration of their flagship SUV, the XC90, in India just a couple of weeks ago at the Embassy of Sweden. It was a gala event, completely befitting a vehicle that costs Rs 1,02,89,000, ex-showroom.

- SYED SHIRAZ SHAH

However, thankfully, they didn't choose the usual method of first drives for the new XC90 where auto journalists are flown to another city and given just a few hours to drive the vehicle.

Instead, they chose the much more sensible route of providing the vehicle to us at our home turf so that we not only get more quality time with the vehicle, but also get to test it on roads (and no roads) that are familiar. Good job, Volvo India Comms. and PR; please follow this model for all subsequent first drives.

Also, please note that it's not an all-new vehicle but a facelift, and while I had tested the previous model a couple of years ago, I certainly wouldn't pass the opportunity to test the new one as well, right? Moreover, as always, I won't get into the trivialities of what's new and what's old as that's something you can ascertain yourself from the press release. Instead, I would tell the things that you can't assess from the press release or a brochure. But I will still have to dedicate a few lines to the design first and you'll know why shortly.

DESIGN

They say, "don't fix something that's not broken." The previous XC90 was one such vehicle. It looked perfect and, honestly, it didn't need any changes in its design. However, Volvo said at the launch that they wanted to bring it closer to the EX90's design to bring a sense of familiarity throughout the range. I disagree despite knowing the company's commitment of going fully electric sooner than all others. In my opinion, the XC90 and EX90 are two different vehicles, and as such they should have distinct identities.