20:45 28-06-2026
Volvo XC90 vs Range Rover: the quieter, smarter luxury SUV play
The Volvo XC90 offers premium status, real safety credentials and far lower running costs than the Range Rover — at roughly half the price.
The Range Rover has long been the face of the big European luxury SUV, but the prestigious name often comes with heavy bills. Against that backdrop, the Volvo XC90 looks like a less flashy yet more rational choice: a large cabin, premium image, top-tier safety and a price tag almost half that of its British rival.
The gap starts the moment you sign the paperwork. A new Volvo XC90 in the US opens at $61,050–62,445 for the base Core trim. By comparison, the 2026 Range Rover starts at around $113,300 before options. The Swedish SUV plays in the same premium league, but doesn’t demand a flagship British entry fee.
On the used market the Range Rover looks tempting thanks to steep depreciation — 2021 examples can sell for well below their original sticker. But savings on the purchase often disappear into running costs.
According to Edmunds, five-year ownership of a 2021 Range Rover SE P360 can reach $87,695, covering maintenance, repairs, fuel, insurance and depreciation. The main culprit is complexity. Used Range Rovers are notorious for air suspension, electronics and pricey hybrid components. One major repair can wipe out everything saved on the used-market price.
The Volvo XC90 takes a different approach. The second generation launched back in 2015, yet the design with its signature “Thor’s Hammer” headlights still looks current. The car has been updated several times over the years, the underlying architecture remains relevant, and the XC90 keeps its calm Scandinavian style without overt theatrics.
The Volvo engine lineup centres on 2.0-litre four-cylinders. Buyers can choose the B5 AWD and B6 AWD mild hybrids, or the T8 plug-in hybrid. According to the source, well-maintained XC90s can cover 200,000 miles or more — that’s over 320,000 kilometres. For most buyers that matters more than a fancy badge: predictable running costs beat raw acceleration or exotic trim.
Safety is where the XC90 really shines. Standard kit includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Pilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane centring, blind-spot monitoring and an active lane-keeping assistant. These aren’t price-list decorations — they’re systems built around family use.
Practicality holds up too. The XC90 seats up to seven, with some versions offering a six-seat layout with individual second-row chairs. Inside it’s restrained trim, wood, quality materials and a cabin designed for everyday family life, not just status display.
The Volvo XC90 isn’t trying to out-theatre the Range Rover. Its strength lies elsewhere: a premium format, a genuinely large vehicle, high comfort and far less fear of the service bay. For buyers who count not just the purchase price but the years of ownership, it may well be the more convincing kind of luxury.
Previously 32CARS.RU reported that the Volvo XC90 had been converted into an electric vehicle with a range of up to 400 km.