The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 Has Been Around For 10 Years And It Still Quietly Outclasses Newer Rivals

It's been a decade since Volvo unveiled the second-generation XC90 back in 2015. A full decade. In-car time, that's ancient. You'd expect it to be outdated by now. Irrelevant. Ready for the automotive scrapheap.

Instead, Volvo just gave it a second facelift and released it in Malaysia in 2025. Price: RM434,888.

That's not a typo. That's RM434,888 for a car whose basic design is a decade old.

So the question becomes: is this a desperate attempt to milk an aging platform, or is this an exceptional car that genuinely doesn't need to change?

The Design That Refuses To Age

The facelift brings new Thor's Hammer matrix LED headlights. A new front grille with diagonal inserts. Updated bumpers. New 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. A new Aurora Silver hue is replacing the old Pebble Grey.

Those are the changes. That's the facelift.

If you line up the 2015 model, the 2021 version, and this 2025 facelift, most people wouldn't immediately spot the differences. The basic silhouette remains unchanged. Same dimensions: 4,950 mm long, 1,958 mm wide. Same proportions. Same presence.

It looks like it belongs in 2026 anyway. Which is the highest compliment you can give a design from 2015? It hasn't dated. It's just gotten slightly more refined.

The Cabin Got Smarter, Not Flashier

The big change inside is the infotainment suite. An 11.2-inch portrait-oriented display with enhanced Google software. Google Maps, Google Play Store, Google Assistant, YouTube. It's modern. It works. It doesn't feel outdated.

The central console got two larger cup holders and a more accessible wireless charger tray. Most physical controls were kept because they work. No gimmicks.

What didn't change is what actually matters, the Orrefors crystal gear knob. Grey ash wood veneers. Black Nappa leather upholstery. Powered and ventilated front seats. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. A large panoramic sunroof. Multiple USB-C ports. Dedicated A/C vents for all three rows.

The luxury level is the same because it was already near-perfect. And honestly, if you're paying RM434,888, you don't want it to feel stripped down just because the platform is old.

The Comfort Upgrade That Matters

Volvo upgraded the air suspension for the facelift. Improved the overall insulation. The result is noticeable: this is quieter and more comfortable than the previous model. The reviewer confidently stated this is "the most comfortable model within its segment."

That's not spec-sheet talk. That's actual driving experience. In Malaysian traffic, in real life, this car makes long journeys feel less painful.

The plug-in hybrid system remains unchanged 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine paired with a single rear-mounted electric motor. 456 PS combined. 709 Nm of torque. 5.3 seconds to 100 km/h. A 19 kWh battery pack is good for 77 km of pure electric range.

It can't fast-charge with DC. It needs a 6.4 kW AC charger for three hours to fully charge. That's a limitation, but if you're charging overnight at home, it doesn't matter.

Seven Seats That Actually Work

316 liters of cargo space standard. Expandable to 967 liters with the third row folded. A removable tonneau cover. A switch to adjust ride height for easier loading via the air suspension system.

Three rows actually feel like three rows here. Not an afterthought. The practical space is real.

Safety That Predates The Marketing Campaign

Volvo Malaysia is running a "Selamat" safety campaign. The XC90 predates that campaign but is still one of the safest SUVs you can buy.

Seven airbags. Autonomous Emergency Braking. Adaptive Cruise Control. Blind Spot Monitoring. Lane Keeping Assist. Lane Departure Warning. Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Rear Collision Warning.

Some of the ADAS functions (like ACC and LKA) might not be as advanced as brand-new systems, but they're usable and not overly sensitive like cheaper implementations.

The PHEV system takes up spare wheel space, so you get a tire repair kit instead. But a Tire Pressure Monitoring System warns you ahead of time, and there's five years of 24-hour roadside assistance with complimentary towing.

The Honest Truth

It's harder to recommend a decade-old vehicle in 2026, especially when Chinese automakers have stormed the local market with incredible value models.

But there's an exception to make for this XC90. The foundation Volvo built a decade ago has aged remarkably well. The minor facelift changes are enough to make it feel current. It's still locally assembled in Shah Alam at one of Malaysia's oldest operational assembly plants.

For RM434,888, you get a 5-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, 8-year warranty for the high-voltage battery system, 5 years of complimentary Google services and data connectivity, plus 5 years of 24-hour roadside assistance.

The seven-seater scene has changed dramatically. Premium Chinese electrified people movers exist. They're cheaper. They have newer tech. They're more impressive on paper.

But the XC90 still has its place in this crowded space. It's harder to justify the price. But for someone who values refinement, comfort, and seven genuine seats that all work properly, someone who just wants their premium SUV to be quiet and capable without drama, this car delivers.

The 2025 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV is a decade-old design that somehow still feels modern. Not because it changed dramatically. Because it was designed well enough, time doesn't diminish it.

You're paying for a quiet, comfortable, safe seven-seater. Not for flashiness or cutting-edge tech. Not for novelty.

If that's what you want, and you have the budget, this car still works. Even after ten years, even with just a minor facelift, even in a market flooded with newer alternatives.

Sometimes the best cars aren't the newest ones. They're the ones that were right from the beginning.