Volvo’s largest SUV has gained new model names and a handful of new features – but some comfort and convenience items have been removed, as prices have risen by up to $4500.
The 2023 Volvo XC90 has received minor changes for the new model year, with new names and features – but higher price tags.
In line with the rest of the Volvo Australia range, all versions of the XC90 have been renamed, dropping the familiar Momentum to R-Design range structure for ‘Plus’ and ‘Ultimate’ tags.
The B5 Momentum becomes the Plus B5, the B6 Inscription becomes the Ultimate B6 Bright (referencing its bright chrome trim), the B6 R-Design becomes the Ultimate B6 Dark (with black trim and a sports body kit), and the Recharge Plug-in Hybrid is now the Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid.
Prices have risen for 2023, increasing by $4500 for the mild-hybrid ‘B’-series petrol models – introduced as part of an update last year – or $3000 for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Accounting for part of the price rise are standard power-folding second-row headrests (previously $350 extra), and USB-C charging ports (replacing USB-A). There are also new graphics for the instrument cluster.
The key addition is Volvo’s latest infotainment software, based on Android Automotive tech, with in-built Google Maps and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay is included, after a recent software update – but Android Auto is made redundant, given the whole infotainment system is Google designed.
However, alongside the price rise, semi-automated parking – which can automatically steer the car into select parking spaces – has disappeared from the equipment list. Drive is awaiting confirmation from Volvo Australia on the reasoning for this.
The crystal gear selector has been cut from the standard equipment list of the Ultimate B5 Bright (formerly the B5 Inscription), while sports pedals are no longer fitted to the Ultimate B6 Dark (B6 R-Design).
Standard features on the entry-level Plus B5 model include a 9.0-inch touchscreen (carried over from 2022, but with the new software), heated electric front seats, wireless phone charging, a power tailgate, head-up display, four-zone climate control, LED headlights, and a full suite of advanced safety features.
Powering the Plus B5 is a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine offering 183kW and 350Nm, aided by a mild-hybrid system claimed to cut fuel use under low throttle, and restart faster from a set of lights than a normal start-stop system.
B6 models add an electric supercharger to the 2.0-litre hybridised engine, for outputs of 220kW and 420Nm. Both B5 and B6 models use eight-speed automatic transmissions and standard all-wheel drive.
Volvo claims 0-100km/h acceleration times of 7.7 and 6.7 seconds for the B5 and B6 models respectively, and claimed fuel consumption of 8.2 litres per 100km (in mixed driving) across all mild-hybrid variants.
The hero plug-in hybrid combined a 233kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine driving the front wheels with a 107kW/309Nm electric motor powering the rears, with an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and a 18.8kWh battery pack.
Volvo claims combined power and torque outputs of 340kW and 709Nm – but this is (incorrectly) derived from simply adding the peak outputs together, even though the engine and electric motor produce their maximum outputs at different points in the rev range.
All-electric driving range is claimed to sit at 77km on a charge, the 0-100km/h time at as little as 5.3 seconds, and claimed combined fuel economy (in lab testing) of 1.8L/100km.
A full list of the standard features, optional extras and available paint colours are included below.
The 2023 Volvo XC90 range is now on sale in Australia.
Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.
The Lifestyle Package can be had with a panoramic sunroof and Harman Kardon sound system on all B5 and B6 models for $3900, or with a panoramic sunroof and Bowers and Wilkins sound system on the Ultimate B6 models for $6450.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines as a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
Find New cars by type
Cars for Sale by location
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
Copyright Drive.com.au 2022ABN: 84 116 608 158
DAP Pricing– Unless otherwise stated, all prices are shown as Manufacturer's Recommended List Price (MRLP) inclusive of GST, exclusive of options and on road costs.