2026 · Three-row luxury SUV

Volvo XC90: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

Seven seats on a four-cylinder, mild hybrid or plug-in.

Figures are for the XC90 B6 Ultra (3 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Sep 30, 2026.

Open the XC90 in the 3D lab

Where it stands among midsize and three-row SUVs

#5 of 11Braking 70–0 mph, tested: 173 ft
#6 of 13Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 359 ft
#4 of 13Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 24 ft
#4 of 13Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: +2.3 in
#6 of 13Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year: $2,920/yr

Ranked against the default trim of every midsize and three-row SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$74,745PublishedMotorTrend
Powertrain	2.0 L four with an electric supercharger and a turbocharger, plus a 48 V integrated starter generator (13 hp, 30 lb-ft) · AWD (electronically controlled rear coupling)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	6.8 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	173 ft (52.7 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	36.0 cu ft (1,019 L)TestedCar and Driver
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from C/D specs
Seats	7Published
Crash ratings	NHTSA 5★ overall · IIHS Top Safety Pick

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	295 hp (220 kW)PublishedVolvo
Torque	310 lb-ft (420 Nm)PublishedVolvo
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	6.8 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	6.8 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	4.9 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	15.2 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	173 ft (52.7 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	123 ft (37.5 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	359 ft (109.4 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	276 ft (84.0 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	166 ft (50.7 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

NHTSA rollover rating	4★ · 17.9% riskTestedNHTSA
Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.20Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	23 mpg (10.2 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,920/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)Simulated from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.33PublishedVolvo

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.85 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.85 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.27 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	39.7 ft (12.1 m)PublishedVolvo
Ground clearance	8.1 in (21 cm)PublishedVolvo
Tires	Pirelli Scorpion Zero All Season 275/35R22 104V VOL · 275/35R22TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	7Published
Large suitcases, packed	6Simulated from C/D specs
Carry-ons in the space left	0Simulated from C/D specs
Cargo behind the second row	36.0 cu ft (1,019 L)TestedCar and Driver
Cargo, seats folded	66.0 cu ft (1,869 L)TestedCar and Driver
Towing	5,000 lb (2,268 kg)PublishedVolvo
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+2.3 in (6 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+4.8 in (12 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+7.8 in (20 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+3.0 in (8 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+3.3 in (8 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	+0.4 in head · −1.0 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs
Front head room, published	38.9 in (99 cm)PublishedVolvo
Rear head room, published	38.5 in (98 cm)PublishedVolvo
Rear leg room, published	37.0 in (94 cm)PublishedVolvo

Watch it in Live In It

Cabin noise

How loud is it inside at 70 mph, and what exactly are you hearing?

Cabin sound at 70 mph	69 dBATestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Quiet Test

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	24 ft (7.4 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	36%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	295 ft (90.0 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	65 mph (105 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	514 ft (156.8 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

NHTSA overall	5★TestedNHTSA
IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS award	2026 Top Safety PickPublishedIIHS
Curb weight	4,727 lb (2,144 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

XC90 compared

Trims in the catalog

XC90 B5 Core · from $62,445
XC90 B6 Ultra · from $74,745 · figures on this page
XC90 T8 Ultra · from $84,795

Other midsize and three-row SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.