The Volvo XC90 has long been an understated contender in the luxury seven-seater SUV segment. And by seven seats, I mean genuinely usable ones—including a third row that doesn’t feel like exile. Its facelift was long overdue, but when it finally arrived, it did so in grand fashion. I’ve spent considerable time with the new XC90, even taking it on a treacherous long drive from Delhi to Ladakh a few years ago with friends. We all came back thoroughly impressed.
From the freezing winters of Ladakh to the dry summers of Rajasthan—what happens when Scandinavian sophistication meets the grandeur of Udaipur? Enter the new 2025 Volvo XC90, a luxury SUV that claims to be fit for royalty. But does it truly live up to its ‘palace on wheels’ reputation? We took it on a grand tour of Udaipur—the city of lakes, palaces, and timeless opulence—and conducted nine royal tests to find out.
The first test had to be the Maharaja Test! Udaipur practically oozes royalty—if it were a car, it would be handcrafted, dipped in gold, and adorned with jewels. The XC90, on the other hand, brings Scandinavian craftsmanship, a plush lounge-like cabin, and a crystal gear shifter to the equation. Close enough?
Step inside, and you’re greeted by Nappa leather upholstery, a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, and a cabin so silent it could rival a meditation retreat. With a four-zone air purification system and PM 2.5 sensors, the XC90 ensures you’re breathing air purer than what the Maharajas did in their grand courtyards. Against the backdrop of palaces, it struck a perfect pose, making the lakes and historic architecture look even more regal. It certainly turned heads.
Would a Maharaja approve? Definitely! A Maharaja could easily cruise around in the XC90 with his senapatis and guards in the first and third rows while he relaxes in the second row, treating it like his personal singhasan (throne).
Luxury alone doesn’t define a car—it needs a spirit of adventure too. So, to truly test the XC90, we took a spontaneous road trip through Udaipur’s enchanting streets and then decided to go a bit off-road. Gaurav Chaudhary, aka Technical Guruji, joined me on this exploration. Relying solely on the in-built Google Maps navigation, we aimed for a sunrise spot… only to realize we were late to the party. But sometimes, the wrong road leads to the right destination.
That’s how we stumbled upon a hidden stepwell we never knew existed and a roadside dhaba with the best kulhad chai, despite barely any visitors. With an 11.2-inch touchscreen and over-the-air software updates, navigation felt effortless. Even when our smartphones lost network, Volvo’s offline navigation continued to guide us, making it our true travel companion.
Road trips are fun, but the real test is whether a luxury SUV can handle a bit of rough terrain without breaking a sweat. With a standard ground clearance of 238mm, which can be raised to 267mm using Off-Road Mode, the XC90 was ready to tackle rugged paths. While Volvo’s unwavering commitment to safety means you can’t entirely switch off the ESC, we still managed to have some serious fun on gravel.
We took the XC90 to Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills, where the rugged backroads put it to the test. The car glided over uneven terrain like a freshly paved highway. The all-wheel-drive system found grip on loose gravel and inclines, making hidden lakeside retreats and hilltop forts accessible in sheer luxury. If you’re looking for extreme off-roading, there are better machines, but the XC90 surely won’t let you down for occasional rough patches.
This is where the Volvo XC90 which in India is available with its B5 Ultra variant , with its 2.0L mild-hybrid petrol engine which is 247 Bhp and 360 Nm of Torque delivering a refined yet capable driving experience. The 8-speed automatic AWD ensures smooth power delivery, making city commutes effortless and highway cruising composed and enough teeth for going offroading. Acceleration is brisk for its size, though not aggressively sporty. The mild-hybrid system subtly aids efficiency, reducing turbo lag and enhancing low-speed responsiveness. Steering feels precise and commanding yet comfort-oriented, making it an excellent luxury SUV for long hauls and offroad environments
After the off-road adventure, it was time to test the XC90’s power, racing against time to catch the sunset at Sajjangarh Palace. The hybrid powertrain ensured quick overtakes on the scenic Fateh Sagar stretch, while nimble handling helped navigate the old city’s surprise obstacles.
We missed the sunset by minutes, but the panoramic sunroof gave us a celestial consolation prize. With a turbocharged engine, the XC90 surges forward effortlessly. The 8-speed gearbox keeps things smooth, making highway sprints composed yet thrilling. The sunset challenge may have been lost, but the XC90, like a true athlete, fought till the last second.
Yesterday, I missed the sunset. This morning, I slept through the sunrise. But no regrets—because what’s coming next is far more intense.
Welcome to the Extreme Heat Survival Test, a challenge designed to push man and machine to their absolute limits. Our battlefield? Udaipur, where the summer sun transforms the city into a shimmering furnace, with temperatures soaring past 45°C.
But how did the Maharajas endure such blistering heat without the luxury of a Four-Zone Climate Control system? They devised ingenious solutions—building palaces near water bodies, surrounding themselves with lush gardens, living in luxurious tents with fountains, and, when all else failed, using their servant’s hands as makeshift fans. Yet even with these strategies, the relentless sun, dehydration, and slow energy drain made survival an endurance test for royalty and their subjects.
Enter Volvo’s fortress of comfort—the new XC90. Inside this Scandinavian sanctuary, the temperature is locked at a crisp 22°C, thanks to the XC90’s advanced Four-Zone Climate Control allows each occupant to tailor their own microclimate. But that’s just the beginning. Advanced Air Purification keeps the cabin free from dust and pollutants, ensuring fresh, clean air despite the scorching conditions outside. Insulated Cabin Materials create a thermal cocoon, blocking external heat from creeping in.
So, who wins? The brutal, unforgiving Udaipur sun at 45°C? Or the intelligent, climate-controlled serenity of Volvo at 22°C?
The answer is crystal clear.
Now was the time to do something unconventional — something a Maharaja in motion might never have imagined. Picture this: You’re royalty, constantly on the move, the desert sun is unforgiving, and you crave a plate of rich, ghee-soaked Dal Baati Churma. But finding the perfect dining spot isn’t always easy. The scorching heat makes open-air feasting unbearable, and royal courts aren’t always within reach when hunger strikes. So, what’s the solution? Could the Volvo XC90’s spacious, luxurious boot reinvent itself as a rolling royal dining chamber? We put it to the test, and the result was amusing. With up to 1,856 liters of boot space (with seats folded), there’s enough room to transform the rear into a cozy, air-conditioned dining lounge. The Hands-Free Power Tailgate opens gracefully, much like a royal butler, offering effortless access to the feast. The Flat-Folding Third Row creates a seamless, table-like surface—perfect for laying out steaming Dal, crispy Baatis, and sugar-laden Churma. Ambient Lighting sets the mood, ensuring that even in the dead of night, the experience remains opulent. The Integrated Rear Sunshade shields the boot space from the harsh afternoon sun, turning it into an oasis of comfort. And once again, the Four-Zone Climate Control extends its reach, maintaining a perfectly chilled environment—even while you enjoy a piping hot Rajasthani meal. To elevate the dining experience further, the Bowers & Wilkins sound system added an extra layer of luxury, but testing that called for another experiment.
For this, we needed a reference point because the experience of enjoying a meal isn’t just about taste—it’s about ambiance, mood, and the sounds that complete the setting. And what better way to set the scene than with the soulful melodies of live Rajasthani folk music? So, we pulled up to a vibrant cultural performance where the air was thick with the twang of the Ravanhatta, the deep rhythms of the Dholak, and the hauntingly beautiful vocals that have echoed through Rajasthan’s palaces for centuries. But then came the real test—could the Bowers & Wilkins audio system inside the Volvo XC90 recreate this experience? We shut the doors, the world outside faded away, and the magic began with one tap on the Google-powered infotainment system. The Bowers & Wilkins 19-speaker setup, including a subwoofer and Nautilus tweeters, transformed the cabin into an acoustic masterpiece. Every pluck of the Ravanhatta’s strings was crystal clear, every beat of the Dholak resonated deep within the doors, and the 1,400-watt amplifier ensured no distortion even at high volume, making it feel like the musicians were right inside the car. Noise-canceling cabin insulation ensured almost zero interference from the outside world—no honks, no heat, just pure, uninterrupted musical immersion. The crystal-clear treble and profound bass balance ensured every frequency was right where it needed to be, from the lightest chime of the Khanjari to the resounding thump of the drums. At that moment, the XC90 wasn’t just a car—it behaved like an auditorium on wheels, a private VIP section with rich and detailed sound that it blurred the line between reality and technology. Well, almost!
Udaipur’s old city is a maze of narrow alleys lined with centuries-old havelis, vibrant storefronts, and a nonstop parade of cycle rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, tourists, and, of course, the ever-unbothered holy cows standing their ground like celestial traffic regulators. It’s organised chaos at its finest, where even compact hatchbacks struggle. But today, we’re taking it up a notch—the new Volvo XC90, a luxury SUV built for Scandinavian highways, now facing the ultimate test: navigating one of India’s tightest, most unpredictable urban landscapes.
Before diving in, we activate every urban survival tool Volvo offers. The 360-degree Camera with bird’ s-Eye View stitches together an ultra-wide top-down image, ensuring we don’t turn a street vendor’s cart into modern art. Pilot Assist and precision Steering help guide this 2-tonne chariot through impossibly tight gaps. Park Assist with Auto-Brake ensures we don’t nudge a palace wall or someone’s beloved Maruti 800.
Then, the real challenge begins—a head-to-head showdown between luxury and legacy. On one side, the tech-packed XC90. On the other, Udaipur’s undisputed street kings: a cycle rickshaw, an auto-rickshaw, and a herd of cows, each with its level of agility—or lack thereof. Yet, the Volvo doesn’t flinch. With air suspension in its highest setting, it glides over potholes and cobblestone streets like a magic carpet. A flick of the steering wheel, a precisely timed throttle tap, squeezes through a gap that seemed barely wide enough for a scooter.
I never doubted it at the wheel for a second … okay, maybe half a second. After dodging countless obstacles, narrowly avoiding stand-offs, and earning the impressed nods of rickshaw drivers who never expected an SUV to survive this madness, the XC90 surprisingly emerged victorious.
It was time for the grand finale, the ultimate test: a modern Swedish chariot versus a royal Rajput carriage—both symbols of luxury but centuries apart. The Volvo XC90, with its 455-hp hybrid powertrain, seamless air suspension, and ventilated massaging seats, promised effortless comfort. Though steeped in tradition, the horse-drawn chariot relied on sheer heritage and instinct.
As the race began, the XC90 surged ahead, gliding at 180 kmph, while the Marwari stallion galloped with noble determination. Inside the Volvo, four-zone climate control kept the cabin crisp, while the Bowers & Wilkins sound system turned the ride into a private concert. The chariot? Open-air conditioning at nature’s mercy, its wooden bench a far cry from Nappa leather.
When it came to intelligence, Volvo’s 360° cameras and Pilot Assist ensured precision, while the horse navigated Udaipur’s streets purely on instinct—spotting a stray cow before any sensor could. And while the XC90’s plug-in hybrid tech championed sustainability, the chariot had been zero-emission long before it was fashionable.
By every modern metric, the XC90 redefined Maharaja-worthy luxury—faster, smoother, and infinitely smarter. But as the chariot rolled away, a simple truth remained: the Volvo had conquered the road, but the horse? It had conquered time.
If Udaipur is Rajasthan’s crown jewel, the Volvo XC90 might just be its four-wheeled equivalent. It’s refined yet rugged, high-tech yet steeped in comfort, and built to glide effortlessly through both grand palaces and chaotic city streets. Would a Maharaja trade his royal chariot for this Swedish masterpiece? We think so. But we’ll let history (and horsepower) decide.
