In Defense of Volvo’s Floor Mats and Cargo Liner

Over the past few years, I’ve embraced the idea of keeping all-weather floor mats in our vehicles year-round. Prior that that I’d preferred carpeted floor mats, only swapping in all-weather versions if I had them during the winter months. We live in Pennsylvania, where winter snow and slush are commonplace. Or at least they were before the planet started heating up.

In any event, I really like the protection all-weather mats provide. Which prompted a decision when I ordered the 2019 XC90: go with Volvo’s versions, or opt for an aftermarket alternative like the heavily advertised Weather Tech mats. Naturally, I turned to the Internet for user reviews, and stumbled across a YouTube posting by a fellow who was mightily disappointed in his Volvo all-weather mats. He wanted the lip of the mats to turn up several inches up off the floor, and he dissed the three-section liner designed for the cargo area, suggesting that he thought a one-piece liner would make more sense. (More about that critical consideration in a moment.)

Meanwhile, my brother-in-law had just ordered a set of Weather Techs for his BMW X5, which gave me a chance to look at them up close. They seemed to be reasonably well made, but I didn’t like the bright Weather Tech logo on each mat. Then, my brother-in-law noted that he had a heck of time keeping them looking clean.

My biggest concern, apart from appearance, was how to handle the cargo liner. Should I buy a one-piece liner that only covered the very rear section of the cargo area that would be exposed when the third-row seats were in the upright position? Or should I get one that covered the entire cargo area when the third-row seats were folded down? And if I went with the latter option, how would that work when the third-row seats were up? The liner simply wouldn’t fit. If it were made of flexible rubber, you could roll it up, I guess. But you couldn't easily do that with a semi-rigid liner like the one my brother-in-law got with his Weather Tech set.

On the other hand, the Volvo OEM solution seemed to present a problem, too. It consists of three interlocking pieces, the largest sized to fit perfectly behind the upright third row. Fold the third-row seats down, and you could then snap the other two skinnier sections into the extra expanse of cargo area. My YouTube friend didn’t like the idea of having to unsnap those two sections when flipping the third-row seats up, and then storing them atop the third section or leaving them at home.

After visiting my Volvo dealer to see the manufacturer’s version up close, I decided it was by far the smartest solution. The three pieces snap together effortlessly—we’re talking seconds to put them in place or pull them up. The “lip” where the sections snap together isn’t an obstacle at all; it’s no higher than the ridges molded into the liner itself. Every piece is extremely lightweight. And the two extra, smaller sections take up very little room when not in use.

With the Volvo all-weather floor mats and three-piece cargo liner, I’m covered no matter how I configure my rear seating—even if I change it in the middle of a trip. The mats and liner are good-looking, with no gaudy logos, and they clean easily. They fit very snugly. Yes, a small amount of dirt can eventually find its way under the floor mats here and there in corners, particularly in the case of the driver’s floor mat. But I’ve never had a mat that didn’t experience some of that. Finally, the cargo liner has a non-slip surface that really keeps things from sliding around willy-nilly while you drive.

Overall, I’m highly satisfied with Volvo’s all-weather mats and cargo liner, and would recommend them to anybody. They’re also competitively priced compared to the Weather Tech alternatives.

Mileage driven: 12,385

Cargo liner with 3rd-row seats upright, and two extra sections stored atop third

Three-piece cargo liner with 3rd-row seats folded down

Cargo liner sections scattered to show size and shape