Justin Pritchard is a seasoned Sudbury, Ontario-based automotive journalist, producer, and technical writer. With a passion for cars and a talent for storytelling, he’s established himself as a prominent figure in the Canadian automotive scene. His work, which encompasses automotive reviews, insightful analyses, and stunning photography, is featured across multiple Canadian television programs, print publications, and online platforms. Justin’s dedication to his craft has earned him numerous awards and accolades, solidifying his reputation as a trusted voice in the automotive industry.
The 2026 Honda CR-V opens the bidding at $30,920 for a base-model LX with front-wheel drive and $42,250 for the top-dog AWD Sport Touring Hybrid. There are five additional Honda CR-V trim grades between those upper and lower limits this year. If you were to average the starting MSRP for every Honda CR-V grade on sale in 2026, you’d find a figure of $36,410.71.
Maybe the Honda CR-V is a little too mainstream for your tastes. Maybe you’d prefer something more luxurious, powerful and Swedish. Maybe you’re keen to try your first plug-in hybrid and take in some of that sweet, sweet all-electric driving and at-home charging that minimizes your gas station visits. Remember: switching to a PHEV can virtually eliminate fuel consumption from most of your shorter drives, meaning gas station visits are few and far between.
If that’s the case, you might well be wondering exactly how much slightly used Volvo XC90 you could get into for the same sort of spend as that brand new CR-V. Read on to see if Honda’s latest SUV stalwart or a second-hand Volvo flagship is the right SUV pick for you.
The year was 2016, and Volvo’s latest take on their flagship SUV model was hitting the road. With an interior that quickly earned recognition from Wards’ 10 Best Interiors of 2016 and a revolutionary new powertrain family under the hood, this latest top-line SUV was built on a new platform with new technologies that laid the groundwork for the next decade of the nameplate.
Notably, the new top-line T8 engine designation made the XC90 the market’s first plug-in hybrid 7-seater SUV. Though all models ran a 2-liter four-cylinder engine with supercharger and turbocharger, the T8 version added powerful electric motors, a battery and plug-in hybrid drive, allowing drivers to enjoy all-electric motoring on their shorter drives, and a 400-horsepower punch at a tremendous fuel consumption advantage.
2016 Volvo XC90 T8
Engine
2-liter four-cylinder gas turbo, supercharged, plug-in hybrid
Power
400 hp
Torque
472 lb-ft
Drive
AWD
All-Electric Range (approx)
25 miles
Transmission
8-speed automatic
0-60 mph (approx)
5.7 seconds (manuf)
Towing Capacity
5,000 lbs
This generation XC90 was the first model built on Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, which went on to underpin all new models in Volvo’s 60 and 90 series. On the safety front, this generation of XC90 brought Volvo’s leadership to the forefront, with City Safety Technology standard on all models. The XC90’s debut also marked the first adaptation of Large Animal Detection to the safety suite. Run Off Road Mitigation was also added, helping drivers to keep the vehicle on the road during emergency maneuvers.
With its new style, award-winning cabin and future-ready powertrain tech, the latest XC90 was ready to take on the competition.
Throughout a career of road-testing new cars, your writer has logged thousands of miles in various copies of the latest-generation Volvo XC90. This has earned the machine a permanent place on my list of favorite SUVs for long-haul travel. Primarily, the XC90’s excellent seats with available massage functionality make long distances fly by without undue back fatigue or soreness. This could be the best seat an XC90 driver sits in all day. The up-level stereo system is a treat for the audiophile, and the minimal, non-distracting interior makes it easy to keep your eyes up and ahead while you take in the scenery.
The underlying feel of the XC90 should prove a reward to the driver primarily seeking a soothing and effortless cruise with loads of nearly-silent torque on tap. In severe winter weather and while driving after dark, most drivers will find the headlights and high-efficiency spray-bar wiper system make it easy to maintain excellent visibility at a high level.
Of course, having 400 discreet horsepower (or more) is a way of spoiling yourself, too. The XC90 is all about stealthy muscle, preferring to deploy most of its monster torque output with minimal noise and maximum electrically assisted smoothness. It’s a stealthy rocket that sips gas, but enthusiasts who are after a racy exhaust note or shapely power curve will need to look elsewhere.
For the 2022 model year, Volvo began rolling out the XC90 with a powertrain update that featured an improved plug-in hybrid system. The result was an increase in power and all electric range, alongside a further reduction in emissions. The stars of the show included a new battery pack with 62 percent more capacity than its predecessor, and a new rear-axle electric motor with 64 percent more power than its predecessor.
This update dramatically changed the XC90’s driving experience. The larger battery and more powerful motor meant that the combustion engine could ditch its supercharger, keeping only the turbocharger from the previous engine and improving simplicity. Horsepower output climbed from 400 to 455, and all-electric driving range climbed from 25 miles to 35 miles, meaning drivers could take in more all-electric driving per charge.
The 2022 model year update also added one-pedal driving functionality to the mix. Shoppers considering a second-hand XC90 should note that the major improvement to battery and motor specifications from 2022 and onwards translate directly into a snappier, more responsive and more satisfying all-electric drive. Put simply: the performance response in all-electric driving situations is a major improvement.
Here’s a more detailed look at Volvo XC90 reliability over the years, including the best and worst years to buy. Considering only 2022 model year and newer units with the major T8 powertrain upgrade, data from Autotempest.com shows the cheapest XC90s of this vintage will run you about $32,000 with 70,000–80,000 miles on the odometer.
From the high 30s, or roughly the average cost of a new CR-V, you’ll find plenty of 2022 and newer XC90 T8 models with 40,000 to 60,000 miles on their odometers. For the price of the most expensive CR-V today (around $42,000), you’ll find plenty of XC90 T8 models with 30,000 miles or less. When searching, be sure to include identifiers like “T8” or “Recharge” to help narrow down your search to include only plug-in powered models.
Just remember: buying a flagship SUV for the price of a brand new Honda CR-V may not be the right approach for everyone. Insurance and maintenance costs can be higher in the long term, and finding a Honda dealership is easier than finding a Volvo dealership across most of the country.
You’ll also want to be feeding your XC90 premium gas if you’ll do any towing or demanding driving with it. Shoppers should note that use in extreme winter conditions also limits the XC90’s ability to run in all-electric mode, since gasoline power is required for cabin heat and all-wheel drive traction in this model.
Sources: Volvo, Autotempest
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I had to scroll down way too far before I realized that you guys are comparing a used XC90 to a new CR-V. 
