Volvo Drapes the XC90 in Black: A Genuine Statement or Just a Paint Trick?
Volvo has extended its Black Edition lineup to include its flagship SUV, the XC90. The name is bold, the details darker, and a few new colors have been added. For now, though, this monochrome twist is reserved for the UK market.
Volvo Cars has announced that its updated XC90, both as a plug-in hybrid and a mild hybrid, will now be available in Black Edition trim. True to the badge, this means an abundance of gloss black touches: badges, grille, wheels, and emblems are all cloaked in the same deep shade. Inside, customers can choose between two fully black interiors, with only subtle patterned aluminum trim breaking up the darkness.
Unlike earlier interpretations where Black Edition meant only Onyx Black paint, buyers can now opt for Crystal White, Denim Blue, or Vapour Grey as well. As ever, the press release invokes Scandinavian design and confident presence, which in plain terms translates to the same XC90 dressed in a stealthier suit.
The XC90’s addition brings the Black Edition family to five models: the XC60, the all-electric EX40 and EC40, the compact XC40, and soon the EX30. The strategy is clear. Black Edition has become a straightforward sales device, a way to reframe familiar models with a touch of novelty.
It is worth recalling that the XC90 already underwent a significant update in 2024, gaining refreshed styling, new technology, and the usual emphasis on safety. The Black Edition treatment does not make the car safer or more efficient, but it does give Volvo another reason to spotlight the model in marketing language.
Volvo continues to present its plug-in hybrids as a bridge to a fully electric future. In the meantime, a darker palette and glossy trim serve as an easy way to keep the flagship in focus without offering anything fundamentally new.
