Darkness Comes for the U.K. as Volvo Introduces the 2026 XC90 Black Edition Hybrid SUV
Offered in both a PHEV and mild hybrid, the 2026 Volvo XC90 Black Edition plays to a certain character with more than just its color.
Justin BannerWriterManufacturerPhotographerOct 02, 2025
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With the launch of the new 2026 XC90, Volvo thought it was a great time to introduce its darker side with a Black Edition. While that does bring about imagery of a black-on-black SUV, the mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will offer more options outside and inside than just black.
The Black Editions of the Volvo lineup provide a unique character you don’t typically associate with the Swedish brand. It offers a bit of a sinister tone on an otherwise sedate Volvo vehicle. The distinct change in the 2026 XC90 Black Edition versus the rest of the trims is that three other body color choices are available besides Onyx Black. The choices of Crystal White, Denim Blue, and Vapor Gray are contrasted by high-gloss black features like the Volvo iron mark, the grille, rear badges, and wheels. Though, we must say, we prefer the gangstered-out all-black option.
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Inside, there’s a choice of two all-black themes that come with a charcoal headliner and checkered aluminum trim. There are also two options for materials on the charcoal-colored seats. Outside of all that, the 2026 Volvo XC90 Black Edition will come with the standard equipment featured in the Plus, Plus Pro, and Ultra trims. There’s just a bit of bad news for us Colonials: the Black Edition will only be available in the U.K. Volvo’s U.S. representative tells us there are no plans to bring the 2026 XC90 Black Edition to the U.S. “right now,” and that U.S. customers can get nearly the same looks with the Dark theme but without the high-gloss black badging. But is it really all the same without that? We think not and hope Volvo will get enough demand from Americans to bring it our way.
Justin Banner
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he’s had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He’s best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.