The Volvo XC90 doesn't get the design overhaul its XC60 sibling received for 2028, but its plug-in hybrid powertrain does, more than doubling electric range and closing the gap with three-row luxury rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.
2028 Volvo XC90 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2028 Volvo XC90
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2028 Volvo XC90
Unlike the redesigned XC60, the 2028 XC90 carries over its exterior and interior largely unchanged. The news here is under the skin: the T8 AWD long-range plug-in hybrid gets a new, larger-capacity floor-mounted battery and a more powerful electric motor, pushing electric range to 73 miles, more than double the outgoing T8's figure. B5 AWD and B6 AWD mild hybrid variants continue on their normal model-year cycle without changes.
Design
The XC90 keeps its recently updated Scandinavian design inside and out, including Thor's hammer headlights, a horizontal-emphasis rear treatment, and a Scandinavian-inspired cabin built around wood decor and ambient interior lighting. This is a powertrain update, not a styling one; buyers cross-shopping the current XC90 won't find anything visually different on the 2028 model.
Powertrain
Three propulsion choices carry the 2028 XC90, all standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic. The B5 AWD's turbocharged four-cylinder makes 247 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Stepping up to the B6 AWD adds both a supercharger and a turbocharger to the same displacement, raising output to 295 horsepower and cutting the 60-mph sprint to 6.4 seconds. The real change comes at the top of the lineup: the T8 AWD long-range plug-in hybrid combines a 247-horsepower gasoline engine with a 208-horsepower electric motor for 455 horsepower total, and its new 41.2 kWh battery delivers 73 miles of EPA-estimated electric range and 560 miles combined, more than double the previous T8's electric range. A Level 2 charge still takes 5.7 hours despite the bigger pack. Fuel economy lands at 25 mpg combined for the B5, 23 mpg combined for the B6, and 61 MPGe for the T8.
Interior
The XC90's cabin holds onto its recent Scandinavian-inspired update, with premium natural materials and Volvo's layered interior illumination carrying over unchanged. Seven-seat configurations remain standard, with up to 68.3 cubic feet of luggage volume behind the front row. Despite the new T8's substantially larger battery, cargo space is unaffected thanks to the new, pizza-box shape of the floor-mounted pack.
Technology
An 11.2-inch center touchscreen continues to run Volvo's infotainment system, and Google Gemini joins for 2028, letting drivers plan routes, find stops, and manage messages using natural language rather than rigid voice commands. The XC90 also continues to receive over-the-air updates. An optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system is available, providing a more immersive soundstage.
