2022 Volvo XC90: Choosing The Right Trim - Autotrader

With Volvo rumored to have a redesigned all-electric replacement on deck for 2023, the 2022 Volvo XC90 rolls into showrooms essentially unchanged.

Volvo did realign the trim levels for 2022. We’re not sure that realignment added any clarity to Volvo’s muddled approach to its trim-level arrangement. However, we’ll make things as clear as possible.

The foundation of XC90’s grades is a 3-powertrain strategy. Those powertrains are the T5, T6, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid (PHEV) T8. We detail them more fully below.

From those powertrains spring four trims, but not every trim is offered across all three powertrains.

Momentum is the base trim for the T5 and T6 powertrains. Inscription Expression, very similar in standard content to Momentum, is the base grade for the Recharge T8.

R-Design is the midlevel trim for the T8 but is unavailable with the T5 or T6 powertrains. Inscription is the top XC90 grade. Volvo offers it with the T6 or Recharge T8 powertrains.

As confounding as arranging the XC90 into any logical grade progression can be, when viewed as a whole, the XC90 is a terrific midsize three-row premium SUV.

We appreciate its simple, clean styling inside and out. Its technology is vast and up to date. The 12.3-inch digital cluster display and 9-inch touchscreen are among the best in the industry.

Power & Fuel Economy

The powertrains (T5, T6, and Recharge T8) begin with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. An 8-speed automatic transmission switches the cogs in all XC90 models.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard for the T5. All-wheel drive (AWD) is a $2,500 option. Some form of AWD is standard for the T6 and T8 models.

The T5 is a 250-horsepower version of the turbo 4-cylinder. With RWD, the government-estimated fuel economy is 21 miles per gallon in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg in combined driving. Opting for AWD drops the numbers a bit to 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined.

Adding a supercharger to the turbo 4-cylinder, the T6 also gets AWD. Its government numbers are 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined.

Merging the T6 version of the 4-cylinder with a two-motor PHEV system, the Recharge T8 produces 400 hp. One motor is attached to the rear axle to create electric AWD (eAWD).

The government has a formula for judging a vehicle’s fuel economy that can operate on battery power alone. It’s called miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe).

On electricity-only, T8’s estimated mileage is 55 MPGe. Otherwise, the estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg city/28 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

2022 Volvo XC90 Momentum (starting at $49,900)

The 2022 Volvo XC90 Momentum starts at $49,900.

The listed price is for the T5 Momentum. Stepping up to the T6 costs $57,300.

Standard content includes 19-inch alloy wheels and LED exterior lights (headlights with active bending, taillights, daytime running lights, and fog lights)

Also included are a power panoramic moonroof, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, faux-leather seating, and quad-zone automatic climate control.

Keyless entry with push-button start, wireless phone charging, auto-dimming mirrors (rearview and outboard), and Google Maps navigation are also standard.

Other standard fare includes rain-sensing wipers and a hands-free power liftgate.

The infotainment system has a 9-inch vertical touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, satellite-radio capability, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and four USB ports.

The driver aids are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking.

Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist with steering, adaptive cruise control, and front-rear park assist are also standard.

The T6 Momentum adds AWD, remote start, heated front seats, and leather seating. An additional $500 for the T6 replaces the second-row bench seat with two captain’s chairs.

For $750 in the T5, you can add the Climate Package with a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and high-pressure headlight cleaners. The same package in the T6 substitutes heated rear seats for the front heated seats.

The $1,850 Advance Package gains you a head-up display, a surround-view camera, and other goodies.

Every XC90 grade offers a few extra-charge packages and several stand-alone options.

Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the Momentum base price brings the total to $50,995. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $916 per month. See 2022 Volvo XC90 Momentum models for sale

2022 Volvo XC90 Momentum includes:

• Quad-zone automatic climate control – It separates the vehicle into four zones, one each for the front driver and passenger and one each for the two second-row outboard seating positions.
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allows your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send messages, receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system.
• Driver aids – Included are blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning with emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning.

Volvo XC90 Inscription (starting at $64,100)

The 2022 Volvo XC90 Inscription starts at $64,100.

The listed price is for the T6 Inscription.

The Inscription builds on the T6 Momentum. It adds 20-inch alloy wheels, perforated Nappa leather seating, ventilated front seats, the Tailored Dashboard, and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system.

The Advanced and Climate Packages are still available.

The $1,700 Lounge Package adds massaging front seats and upgraded material for the headliner and roof pillars.

Here again, you can add the second-row captain’s chairs for $500.

Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the Inscription base price totals $65,195. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,171 a month. See 2022 Volvo XC90 Inscription models for sale

2022 Volvo XC90 Inscription includes:

• Front comfort seats – Covered in perforated Nappa leather, these ventilated seats have power-adjustable lower-cushion extensions.
• Surround-sound audio system – A 14-speaker 600-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system is tailored for the XC60.
• Tailored Dashboard – This unique dashboard is covered with a Charcoal-colored material with accent stitching. The option also includes the top panels on the front and rear doors.

2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 Inscription Expression (starting at $63,800)

The 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 Inscription Expression starts at $63,800.

This is basically the T6 Momentum with the PHEV T8 system.

It offers the Lounge, Climate, and Advance Packages.

As of this writing, Volvo says the Recharge PHEV T8 models are eligible for a $5,419 federal tax credit.

Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the T8 Inscription Expression base price totals $64,895. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,166 per month. See 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 Inscription Expression models for sale

2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 R-Design (starting at $69,500)

The 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 R-Design starts at $69,500.

The T8 R-Design is basically the T6 Inscription with some unique R-Design appearance elements. It does come with the upgraded headliner material offered in the T6 Lounge option package.

Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the R-Design base price brings the total to $70,595. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest works out to $1,268. See 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 R-Design models for sale

2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 Inscription (starting at $70,100)

The 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 Inscription starts at $70,100.

Remove the R-Design appearance elements, toss in some chrome exterior accents, and you have the T6 Inscription standard content with the PHEV T8 system.

Adding the $1,095 destination fee to the T8 Inscription base price totals $71,195. Financing with no money down for 60 months at 3% interest costs $1,279 per month. See 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV T8 Inscription models for sale