Sure, we’ve got the Polestar EVs, but the XC90 is basically the flagship of the Volvo brand. Where it goes, the other models will follow. Throughout its 20-year history, there have only been two generations of this SUV, which makes the 3rd one pretty important, especially considering we’re getting the EXC90 all-electric version too.
Volvo is now following BMW in offering both electric and ICE version of the same vehicle. It started with the XC40, but people are really going to notice once the XC90 comes around.
We know there’s a new Volvo flagship SUV because of patent images that were discovered last week. Also, the Swedish automaker trademarked the new EXC90 name. But Volvo has always been on the path of electrification, with about a quarter of XC90 sales coming from the plug-in hybrids.
In 2019, Volvo became the first manufacturer to have a plug-in for every car it sells. And way back in 2011, the company became a pioneer with the V60 Plug-in Hybrid, which was oddly based on the 2.4-liter D5 turbo diesel engine.
3rd-Gen XC90 design
The XC90 just got 2023 upgrades which included a bigger 18 kWh battery for the T8 flagship. So this next-gen model probably isn’t coming out this year, and it also hasn’t been seen undergoing testing.
However, we do know exactly what it will look like going down the road. The website Kolesa took those patent images from last week and turned them into realistic-looking renderings.
They depict the EXC90 all-electric model, which we expect to have 400+ hp from dual motors and a 100 kWh battery. However, the regular 2024 Volvo XC90 will look about the same, and it will be manufactured on the same assembly line.
As you can probably tell, the design of this new SUV is a more streamlined version of the old one. Thor’s Hammer is still the chosen look for the headlights, although these are narrower, and more precisely defined. Also, the grille has been made smaller, and flush-fitted door handles also provide streamlining.
Even bigger changes are going on at the back, where this 3rd-gen XC90 will have narrow taillights that wrap around the trunk. Also, the rear overhang is much bigger to accommodate EV batteries and the 3rd row of seats which makes the Volvo so popular.
Volvo’s largest SUV is desirable for 40+ parents all over the world, who want a premium, relaxing SUV from a reputable brand to do the school run. That’s why safety and ergonomic design take priority over performance and handling. Right until 2014, the XC90 offered a 4.4-liter V8, but now all they have is a 2.0-liter with forced induction.
It’s believed that the SUV will be underpinned by the SPA2 (Scalable Product Architecture) modular platform, which will also be used by a similarly sized SUV from Chinese automaker Geely, called the Atlas.
