Lifted Volvo XC90 Goes Off Road on 32 inch Falken Wildpeak AT3 Tires

Photo by @rival_gabe

When it comes to off-roading, the 2nd gen Volvo XC90 is hardly the first vehicle that comes to mind. However, that didn’t stop Gabe from Rival Machine from using it to explore local trails. Being a car guy with strong roots in the street scene, he knew that some mods wouldn’t hurt and outfitted his 2018 XC90 R design with stylish ENKEI RS TC5 rims, wrapped in oversized all-terrain tires to take full advantage of its off-road potential.

It’s no secret that many premium crossovers on the market today are capable of handling pretty serious off-road terrain, despite their “road-only” image. Lifted Range Rovers, Cayennes and Touaregs outfitted with oversized A/T tires and overland style gear are no longer a rare sight on Instagram and pages of car magazines.

With their all-wheel drive (AWD) systems and smart electronic assistants, these vehicles are more than equipped to take on anything you can encounter on medium trails. Add in a factory air suspension that can lift the vehicle 2″ with the touch of a button, and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid weekend off-roader.

The Volvo XC90 is no exception, as it has everything you need to go for a fun ride off the beaten path. Here are 3 main benefits:

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
All-wheel drive is a must when it comes to off-roading. You never know when you might encounter a slippery surface or loose gravel, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The Volvo XC90 comes standard with an AWD system that will keep you moving forward even when the going gets tough. Volvo is not new to off-roading actually, as back in the day their first-gen XC70 made a lot of noize in the AWD wagon segment.

ENKEI RS TC5 18×9.5 +38 wrapped in Falken Wildpeak AT3 265/65/18 (equal to 32”) — Falken Wildpeak AT3 265/65/18 (equal to 32”)

Smart Electronic Assistants
Like many modern crossovers, the Volvo XC90 is equipped with smart electronic assistants that help you navigate even the most difficult situations. These assistants keep an eye on things like your traction and wheel slip, so you can focus on enjoying the ride.

Factory Air Suspension
As we mentioned before, factory air suspension is a great feature to have in an off-road vehicle. With the touch of a button, you can lift the Volvo XC90 2″ off the ground, giving you more clearance over obstacles. According to Volvocars.com, the ground clearance on models equipped with this kind of suspension can range from 8.9 to 10.5”, which is quite impressive for a premium crossover.

“We got this R a design fully loaded with the carbon fiber system and the airride to do this lifted look and it’s also equipped with the HEICO LEVEL SELECT ECU so I can slam it and drive it in the EASY ENTRY MODE that lowers it 2” below stock.” – Gabe

Tires
Despite being equipped with all of the modern technological features to assist you on rough terrain, this crossover platform has its limits. To push them a little further, Gabe has outfitted it with oversized 265/65/18 all-terrain tires thatequal to 32″.

Metric Wheel Size	Fitment	Off-road Size in Inches
235/60R18	Factory	29
235/55R19	Factory	29
275/45R20	Factory	30
275/40R21	Factory	30
275/35R22	Factory	30
265/65R18	Custom	32

First of all, they improve the traction on an uneven surface; second, they provide the ability to deflate and keep going even when things get more serious. On top of that, they add one extra inch of ground clearance compared to the stock vehicle.

Volvo XC90 Wheel size comparison — Calculations based on Wheel-Size.com fitment data

SPECS – 2018 XC 90 Rdesign

Rims: ENKEI RS TC5 18×9.5 +38
Tires: Falken Wildpeak AT3 265/65/18 (equal to 32”)
Suspension: Factory Air suspension

Lifted Volvo XC90 on off-road tires — It’s not hard to guess that Gabe is coming from the street scene by looking at the set of 18×9.5” ENKEI RS TC5 rims. He is passionate about fast import and European cars, so if you share this interest, you should definitely check out Gabe’s website Rival Machine and give him a follow on Instagram.

Conclusion
It’s fair to say that Volvo XC90 is rarely used for off-roading for a variety of reasons, with one of them being the cost. Yet, it has all the necessary features required to go off the beaten path. With its all-wheel drive system, smart electronic assistants, and factory air suspension, this crossover has got the potential to handle mild and medium trails if fitted with the right tires.

Porsche Cayenne S 955 – Best Model For Off-roading: 33″s, 3″ Lift & Rear Locking Differentials

So if you are adventurous to try something different, a Volvo XC90 may be a great candidate for your next off-road project. Know your limits though, as it’s not that bullet-proof and unstoppable as a body-on-frame truck with low range and locking differentials that we usually see on the trails.

The price to fix the damage from difficult trails can be quite costly on these vehicles, but the style, level of comfort, and driving pleasure can easily outweigh the limits of the platform for people who dare to be different. Enjoy wheeling…just stay out of trouble!

So whether you’re looking for a perfect combination of a comfortable on-road SUV and a capable adventure vehicle, the Volvo XC90 can be a great option to consider.