Are you a dad/mom with many kids? Do you like the outdoors? Are you a successful but stressed-out architect? Well, then there’s only one vehicle for you, the all-new 2024 Volvo XC90.
The current XC90 may have a contemporary and sophisticated design, but it’s one of the oldest on the market. The current generation went into production in 2015, when it made many substantial innovations. These include the exclusive use of smaller 2.0-liter engines and the innovative Sensus portrait-style infotainment systems. It was also one of the first premium SUVs to have a frugal plug-in hybrid as its flagship, rather than a V8 powerhouse.
But it’s time for a replacement is almost here and was just leaked through patent images submitted to the European Union Intellectual Property Office and discovered by the Worldscoop forum. They show the all-electric version of the flagship SUV, believed to be called the EXC90 (it’s been trademarked), but the regular XC90 should look quite similar.
This isn’t some rare concept; it’s a real family car that sells more than 30,000 units in America each year. The new one still looks like a Volvo, but they’re changing quite a lot.
The most striking change for me is at the back, where the taillights form this near-oval LED shape across the trunk. It looks a lot like the new Range Rover. Traditionally, Volvo had tall taillights which flanked the trunk opening. It’s been like that for probably close to 30 years.
From the front, the new XC90 sports narrower lights, much like the Concept Recharge. It’s funny how much they resemble the Chevy Blazer EV.
Even though this is an EV rendering, it’s still easy to see where the grille would be installed, and it’s a much smaller one. Volvo is also using flush-fitting door handles, which is becoming an industry standard for premium cars.
Compare these patent images to the current XC90 and you’ll immediately notice it’s a larger vehicle with a substantial rear overhang, though the wheelbase appears to be about the same. This indicates Volvo might want to have a full 3-row configuration in the EV version.
Powertrains?
The 3rd generation XC90 should be revealed within a year and it will be built in the South Carolina Volvo Car USA factory along with the Polestar 3. Obviously, there will be a version for China too, built there.
Volvo will also make the batteries locally, and we expect the EXC90 to get a 100 kWh pack at launch, giving this large SUV a range of about 280-300 miles per charge. The output should be about the same as the XC40 Recharge at 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque from dual motors. It’s kind of confusing because the XC40 RC is fully electric but the XC90 Recharge is a plug-in right now, and it has 455 hp combined.
The normal XC90 will need an affordable engine because that’s one of the main advantages this has over BMW or Mercedes. Thus, the 2.0-liter T5 and T6 should still be available, albeit with mild-hybrid technology improvements.
