The 10 best Volvo XC90 alternatives in 2025

If you’re on the lookout for an upmarket seven-seat SUV, the Volvo XC90 is almost certainly on your radar. It’s stylish, practical and packed with safety tech, making it an ideal family car.

The XC90 has also recently been given a major update, bringing an overhauled cabin, new tech and revised exterior styling to keep it looking and feeling fresh, but it’s still up against some stiff competition.

There are loads of posh and practical family cars on the market to consider, and we’ve picked out 10 of the best which you should consider if you’re looking at a Volvo XC90.

1. BMW X5
2. Hyundai Santa Fe
3. Kia EV9
4. Land Rover Defender
5. Volkswagen ID Buzz
6. Skoda Kodiaq
7. Audi Q7
8. Volvo V90
9. Mercedes GLE
10. Lexus RX

1. BMW X5

The BMW X5 is one of the best SUVs around. It’s offered with a wide range of engines, including the bonkers M60i with a 530hp V8, and the interior is one of the best in the business thanks to the excellent build quality.

You’ll want to avoid models with larger wheels because they make the car less comfortable, and some of the options are pretty expensive. Beyond these minor flaws though the X5 is excellent to drive and properly practical as well.

2. Hyundai Santa Fe

If you’re after a seven-seat SUV which stands out, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is a great choice. The old version was pretty forgettable, but this new model has a funky and rugged design which is bound to turn heads.

It may not be the most exciting to drive, but the Santa Fe offers vast interior space and economical hybrid engines, and it’s well-made to boot. Combine this with the fact that it’s £25,000 cheaper than the XC90 and you have a very enticing proposition.

3. Kia EV9

Or maybe you’re looking to make the switch to an electric car? Well the Kia EV9 is one of the best seven-seat EVs on the market. It not only looks great, with bold and muscular styling making it stand out, it has acres of space inside.

It may be pretty pricey, especially for a car without a premium badge on the bonnet, but it certainly feels like a premium product when you step inside. Everything is well-screwed together, and there’s plenty of tech on board as well.

4. Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is effortlessly cool, mostly because of the boxy styling, and it’s also the perfect family car if you fancy a spontaneous trip up to the top of Ben Nevis, because it really can go anywhere.

The third row of seats is a bit tight, unless you go for the long-wheelbase 130 model (which actually comes with eight seats), and the engines are pretty thirsty, but this is a small price to pay for a car which is this capable on any terrain, while not feeling compromised on the road.

5. Volkswagen ID Buzz

Now for something a bit left-field, the all-electric Volkswagen ID Buzz. It certainly has presence out on the road, there are no hum-drum SUVs which look like this, and it’s hugely practical inside as well – with five, six and seven-seat versions on offer.

It may be quite expensive, and the driving range isn’t the best either, but it’s lovely to drive thanks to the high driving position and great visibility, and you can even get a GTX version which is hot hatch quick.

6. Skoda Kodiaq

If no-nonsense practicality is important to you, the Skoda Kodiaq offers this in spades. There are plenty of Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ features to make day-to-day life easier, such as an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap, a built-in funnel for the screen wash and an umbrella in the door.

It may not be the most exciting SUV offering, but it’ll tackle pretty much anything family life can throw at it with ease. The interior is also very nicely made, it’s comfortable to drive and there’s a great range of efficient engines on offer.

7. Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 brings a touch of class to the luxury SUV segment. It may not be quite as stylish as the XC90, but everything about this car oozes class from the subtle exterior to the lovely cabin.

Finding a Q7 to suit your needs should be easy as well, because there’s a choice of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a fire-breathing 4.0-litre V8 in the sporty SQ7. No matter which one you go for, the Q7 is spacious, well-equipped and comfortable to drive.

8. Volvo V90

You don’t necessarily have to buy an SUV if you want a practical family car, the humble estate car still makes an excellent case for itself. The Volvo V90 is a great example of this, with a massive boot, luxurious cabin and palatial rear seats.

You don’t have the benefit of a third row of seats, and an SUV does offer a more commanding view of the road, but the V90 is very comfortable to drive and it’s super stylish as well.

9. Mercedes GLE

A three-pointed star on the bonnet of your SUV carries a lot of kudos, so the Mercedes GLE has probably crossed your mind if you’re on the lookout for a seven-seater. It’s a handsome-looking thing with a classy interior, and it’s one of the most comfortable cars in its class.

The GLE may not be the most spacious SUV, the Volvo XC90 has it licked in this respect, and it’s pretty expensive as well. Look past the foibles though and this is a compelling option with all the latest tech and a great range of engines.

10. Lexus RX

If you’re after something a bit quirky, then why not check out the Lexus RX? Not only does it look like it’s come straight from outer-space, it’s also really comfortable to drive and has loads of equipment as standard.

The RX isn’t as practical as the XC90 thanks to the lack of a third row of seats and a pretty small boot, but if you’re only carrying five people then it’s pretty spacious inside and the interior materials are top-notch. Being a Lexus, you can also rest assured it’ll be reliable.

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