has remarkable ground clearance, suspension, and drivetrain to take you off-road, depending on what trim level and packages you go with. A dedicated off-roading SUV, however, would be better equipped to handle more extreme terrains.

There is certainly a thrill to driving off the beaten path with a proper off-roading vehicle. But looking like a rugged adventurer doesn't necessarily mean an SUV is equipped with the right features to off-road safely and successfully.

Jerry

, the

super app

for all things cars and

car insurance

, has put together this guide to the off-roading specs and capabilities of the Volvo XC90. From ground clearance to torque and tires, here’s how the Volvo XC90 holds up off road—plus information on some off-roading SUVs you may want to consider.

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Can the Volvo XC90 go off road?

Yes. For a luxury SUV, the Volvo XC90 has surprisingly capable off-roading features depending on what trim level, powertrain, and packages it’s equipped with.

Starting at$49,000, the XC90 isn’t your least expensive off-roader. However, considering

Volvo

’s distinction for comfort and quality, this higher price point is to be expected.

That said, upgrading to an R-Design or

Inscription

trim with the Recharge or T6 powertrain gives you the option to add air suspension and larger wheels to your Volvo for better off-roading. The Inscription trim starts at $64,695, and the R-Design—which includes a plug-in hybrid powertrain—starts at $70,595.

If you’re looking for a more affordable off-roader, you may want to consider options like the

Toyota RAV4

. But for that luxury off-roading experience, here are some aspects of the Volvo XC90 that make it a solid off-roader.

Ground clearance

When considering an off-road vehicle, ground clearance is an important spec to look out for. Measuring the space between the lowest point of the vehicle’s chassis and the ground, ground clearance indicates whether your SUV can handle uneven terrain without damaging its undercarriage.

At its lowest trim, the Volvo XC90 has a ground clearance of 9.4 inches. This easily falls between the 8.8- to 10.8-inch recommended range for off-roaders. Upgrading to the air suspension gets the Volvo’s chassis even further off the ground at 10.5 inches.

To put this in context, the

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

, a more extreme off-roader, has a starting ground clearance of 10.8 inches.

Torque

Vehicles with low-end torque—meaning a high amount of torque at a lower rpm—are better for off-roading. Low-end torque creates more turning power than speed on uneven and unpredictable terrain (like dirt, snow, and mud). This helps prevent your engine from overworking.

The XC90’s lowest trim and powertrain, the 250-hp

T5 Momentum

, comes with 258 lb-ft of torque at 1500 RPM. This is a great low-end torque for off-roading, as it brings a solid amount of power to your drive without the need for high speeds.

Tires

The 2022 Volvo XC90 Momentum trim comes equipped with all-season tires and 19-inch alloy wheels. The R-Design trim offers the option to upgrade to 22-inch performance tires. The Inscription trim offers a 21-inch wheel upgrade.

Though all-season tires last longer and handle varying weather conditions well, they don’t perform as well off road as

all-terrain tires

. The latter feature an aggressive tread pattern for stronger traction. Performance tires offer better handling and wet and dry traction, but they are designed for the highway—not the unpaved road.

That said, you can always outfit your Volvo XC90 with a set of all-terrain tires. But this could cost you an extra $200 to $300 per tire.

MORE: Winter tires vs. all-season tires: Which is better?

Drivetrain

You should seek a vehicle with all-wheel drive to best fulfill your off-roading dreams. AWD is standard on both the T6 and Recharge powertrains of the 2022 Volvo XC90. The T5 powertrain comes standard with front-wheel drive but offers the option to upgrade to AWD.

Angles

Before hitting that rugged terrain, be aware of your vehicle’s approach angle and departure angle.

Approach angle is the maximum angle at which your vehicle can ascend without hitting the bumper.

Departure angle is the maximum angle at which your vehicle can descend without hitting the bumper.

The 2022 Volvo XC90's approach and departure angles are 23.8 and 23.1 degrees, respectively. These are decent angles for gentler slopes, but they don’t quite match the rock-crawling caliber of the

Jeep Wrangler

’s 42.2-degree approach angle or even the

Toyota 4Runner

’s 33 degrees.

Off-road rating: rough and ready

Based on

Jerry

’s very own unofficial DIRT rating scale, we’ve given the Volvo XC90 an R rating. Here’s how that scale breaks down:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Better to keep this vehicle on the highway
I	In a Pinch	This vehicle can handle light off-road conditions in limited circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Casual off-roading is doable in this vehicle
T	Trail Boss	Built to take on a wide range of terrain, this vehicle is a true off-roader

The Volvo XC90 has solid ground clearance and torque for some gentler off-roading, but it doesn’t have the stamina of trail boss off-roaders like the

Ford Bronco

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

. Perhaps leave the muddy, rocky inclines to more dedicated off-road SUVs. Still, snow and dirt roads should be no problem for the XC90.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

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The best off-road alternatives to the Volvo XC90

As a luxury SUV, the Volvo XC90 can provide a comfortable off-roading experience. But if you’re looking for an SUV that can handle rockier terrain more easily—or if you're just looking for a cheaper SUV—you might consider other options.

Depending on what sort of off-roader you’re looking for, here are some great alternatives to the Volvo XC90.

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best affordable alternative	2022 Volkswagen Atlas	$34,335	Though the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas has less ground clearance, it offers similar low-end torque and interior storage for nearly half the starting price.
Best luxury alternative	2022 Audi Q7	$57,500	The 2022 Audi Q7 features similar interior comfort with slightly more space, better handling, and more safety tech. Its off-road capabilities are nearly identical.

MORE:Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

While taking that luxury (or non-luxury) crossover SUV off-roading can be a joy, insuring one isn’t always so. Because off-roading adds more risk to your ride, most off-road SUVs see higher insurance rates—even when they’re equipped with high-tech safety features.

Fortunately,

Jerry

can help find affordable options! The app is free to use and instantly tracks down the lowest rates available to you and your vehicle from a pool of over 55 top insurers’ custom quotes.

Once you see a plan you like, just select it through the app. Jerry’s

expert brokers

then jump in to help handle all the transition calls and paperwork. The average user ends up saving more than $800 a year on

car insurance

, so it’s definitely worth a look to keep that off-roader protected for less!

“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get since I have a luxury SUV. After
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