[3] In January 2001, Volvo débuted its Adventure Concept Car at the North American International Auto Show, to gauge reaction to the styling and features of its upcoming SUV.

[11] In November 2001, Volvo released a teaser image showing the frontal styling of the production version, named the XC90.

[12] Production began in August 2002, after Volvo's traditional mid-year shutdown, with the first XC90s coming out of the Torslanda factory in Sweden.

The 2.5 T was the entry level version and offered a 2.5-litre B5254T2 "T5" turbocharged inline-five engine, producing 208 hp (155 kW) and 236 lb⋅ft (320 N⋅m) mated to an Aisin co-developed five-speed AW55-50/51 automatic.

The T6 offered a 2.9-litre B6294T twin-turbocharged inline-six with 268 hp (200 kW) and 280 lb⋅ft (380 N⋅m) mated to a GM-sourced, Volvo-modified four-speed 4T65EV/GT automatic.

Jeremy Clarkson, ex-host of Top Gear, has previously owned three XC90s,[15] and claims they were designed by "someone who must've had children due to its practicality."

[20] It was produced at the Volvo factory located in Daqing,[21] Heilongjiang Province, with necessary tooling shipped from Sweden.

[citation needed] The XC90's roof is reinforced with ultra-high-strength steel to help prevent a collapse in the passenger cavity in the event of a roll-over.

The XC90 was granted the IIHS's rating of "good" in front, side, rear and roof strength tests and has Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment to receive the award.

[31][32] At the end of July 2007, Volvo Car Corp. announced the recall of 42,211 2005 model year XC90s for risk of battery short circuit and fire.

[citation needed] In May 2012 Volvo announced that the second generation XC90 would go into production in late 2014, unveiled to the public in Stockholm on August 26, 2014,[45] with orders being taken in 2014 and the vehicle officially going on sale in 2015.

[46] The SUV would be sold in Europe, Asia and North America, with the United States expected to account for at least a third of global sales.

[51] All engines in the XC90 are 2.0-litre four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains with Volvo's eight-speed Geartronic transmission, delivered by Aisin.

[52] The First Edition of the all-new Volvo XC90, was 1,927 individually numbered cars only available for sale via digital commerce, and sold out in 47 hours after orders opened on 3 September 2014.

The new XC90 has a redesigned chassis with double wishbone front suspension and a new integral link rear axle incorporating transverse leaf spring of lightweight material.

[52] The interior features a 9" tablet-like touch screen control console along with steering wheel controls and voice-control system, all linked to an interface, marketed as Sensus, which allows for access to cloud-based apps including Internet radio, connected navigation, parking, music streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hot spot for using a tablet in the car.

The highest level audio system in the XC90 features a 1400W Class-D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers as well as one of the first air-ventilated subwoofers in a car.

[citation needed] Integrated into the car body, it turns the entire interior space into a large subwoofer.

Second-row captain chairs, which eliminates the centre seat in the second row and reduces capacity to six people, became optional on the Volvo XC90 in 2019 for the 2020 model year.

[52][58] The Second Generation Volvo XC90 SUV feature (IntelliSafe), including Run-off-road protection package and Auto brake at intersection.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also crash-tested the XC90, and presented the following results: With over 50,000 vehicles sold in the UK by 2018, no driver or passenger fatality had been recorded.

[71] The EPA, under its five-cycle tests, rated the 2016 model year XC90 T8 energy consumption in all-electric mode at 58 kWh per 100 miles, which translates into a combined city/highway fuel economy of 53 miles per gallon petrol equivalent (MPG-e) (4.4 L/100 km (64 mpg‑imp) petrol equivalent).

Momentum is the "base" design, and does not include features such as full leather-trimmed seating surfaces, woodgrain interior trim, or a GPS navigation system as standard equipment.

Inscription is the top-of-the-line design, and features full perforated Napa leather-trimmed seating surfaces, woodgrain interior trim, dual heated front, optional heated outboard rear seats, and additional bright accents on the exterior.

For 2017, an "Excellence" trim was introduced (see below) with the "T8" plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain as standard equipment, as well as additional luxury features.

Additional features included the Bowers and Wilkins premium surround-sound audio system with amplifier, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a dual-pane panoramic power moonroof, rear seat entertainment system, and the "T8" plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.

[82] The facelift included revised front and rear fascias includes a new front grille design, new exterior colours, new wheel designs, the Sensus infotainment system became compatible with Android Auto, and the addition of a new kinetic energy recovery braking system.

[87] Changes include a redesigned front fascia with new headlights and grille design, a modified front bumper, updated LED taillight graphics, a new 11.2" touchscreen infotainment system, increased interior storage spaces with a repositioned wireless charging pad, the dashboard features redesigned air vents and decorative materials made from recycled materials, and increased sound insulation.