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.
- 2023 Volvo XC90 pricing and specifications
- New model names in line with wider Volvo range
- Extra features added – but others deleted
- Priced from $92,990 plus on-road costs, up $3,000 to $4,500
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 by 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 to 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine offering 183kW and 350Nmaided 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-liter hybridised enginefor 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 liters per 100km (in mixed driving) across all mild-hybrid variants.
The hero plug-in hybrid combined a 233kW/400Nm 2.0-liter 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 colors are included below.
the 2023 Volvo XC90 range is now on sale in Australia.
2023 Volvo XC90 Australian pricing:
- XC90 Plus B5 – $92,990 (up $4,500)
- XC90 Ultimate B6 Bright – $102,990 (up $4,500)
- XC90 Ultimate B6 Dark – $104,990 (up $4,500)
- XC90 Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid – $121,990 (up $3,000)
Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.
2023 Volvo XC90 Plus B5 standard features:
- seven seats
- Adaptive LED headlights with LED fog lights
- 20-inch alloy wheels (with space-saver spare wheel)
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Google integration (including Google Maps) and digital radio
- 12-inch digital instrument cluster
- Volvo app support (new)
- Wireless phone charging
- Head up display
- Four-zone climate control with CleanZone and PM2.5 filters, humidity sensor
- power tailgate
- Synthetic leather-accented upholstery in gray or beige/grey
- Faux leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Power-adjustable front seats with memory, four-way electric lumbar
- heated front seats
- Split-folding second-row seats
- Power-folding second-row headrests (new)
- USB-C ports (new)
- Auto-dimming center and side mirrors
- Textile floor mats
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Second-row window sun blinds
- Luggage area with semi-automatic cargo cover, 12-volt outlet
- Body-coloured side mirror caps
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Seven airbags (including driver’s knee)
- adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse)
- Lane-keep assist
- Pilot Assist driving tech (lane centering)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Traffic sign recognition
- 360-degree camera
- Front, side and rear parking sensors
- Semi-automatic parking removed
2023 Volvo XC90 Ultimate B5 Bright adds (over Plus B5):
- 21-inch five-spoke alloy wheels (with space-saver spare)
- Heated rear seats (new vs 2022 B6 Inscription)
- heated steering wheel
- Unique ‘Inscription’ textile carpet mats
- Perforated nappa leather upholstery previously standard – but now a no-cost option
- Crystal gear selector removed vs 2022 B6 Inscription
2023 Volvo XC90 Ultimate B6 Dark adds (over Ultimate B5 Bright):
- 22-inch alloy wheels (with space-saver spare)
- Perforated nappa leather upholstery as standard (synthetic leather now unavailable)
- Sports ‘contour’ seats
- crystal gear selector
- Sports outdoor body kit
- Black door mirror caps
- Sports pedals removed vs 2022 B6 R-Design
2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge Ultimate T8 Plug-in Hybrid adds (over Ultimate B6 Dark):
- Adaptive air suspension
- tire repair kit
- 19-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound system
- Rear privacy glass (tinted windows)
- panoramic sunroof
- Front LED fog lights deleted, as before
- Wool blend upholstery as a no-cost option
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.
The Climate Package, available on all models, adds:
- Heated steering wheel (Plus B5 only; already standard on Ultimates)
- Heated rear seats (Plus B5 only; already standard on Ultimates)
- High-pressure headlight cleaners
Standalone options include:
- Adaptive air suspension ($3750, B5 and B6)
- Bowers and Wilkins sound system ($4550, Ultimate B6 models only)
- Harman Kardon sound system ($2000, B5 and B6)
- Rear privacy glass ($1050, B5 and B6)
- Panoramic sunroof ($3250, B5 and B6)
- Heated steering wheel ($350, Plus B5)
- Massaging front seats ($1100, Ultimate models only)
- Perforated nappa leather upholstery with front-seat ventilation ($3250, four combinations on B6 Bright, one combination on B6 Dark and Recharge)
- High-pressure headlight cleaning ($160, all models)
- 21-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels ($3,500, Plus B5)
- 22-inch alloy wheels ($3,500, Ultimate B6 Bright)
Available exterior colors, all of which are no-cost options:
- Onyx Black
- Crystal White
- Denim Blue
- Thunder Gray
- Platinum Gray (new)
- Silver Dawn (new)
- Bright Dusk (new)