The stunning XC90 is Volvo’s large, seven-seat SUV and the company’s flagship. It was the first car to be launched on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), Volvo’s advanced modular product platform that underpins all Volvo cars in the 90 and 60 Series (S, V & XC models). Like its siblings S90 and V90, the XC90 carries the proud and confident face of Volvo’s design language, along with classic Volvo styling cues. Key features include the iconic “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design, and the expressive use of the Volvo word mark on the rear. The car’s exterior design was upgraded for the 2020 model year with new wheels, exterior colours and a modern new grille, among other details.
Luxurious Cabin;
In the cabin, the XC90 provides a calm and balanced environment with a blend of high-end materials such as wood, crystal and metal in a sophisticated Scandinavian design. The XC90 can be ordered with a range of different seating configurations, from the four-seat, ultra-luxurious Excellence variant and the seven-seat family SUV, to a brand new six-seat configuration. New interior materials, including a wool blend, offer further options for personalisation. The XC90’s uncluttered cabin, crafted from the finest natural materials, combines with technology that is intuitive to use. The Volvo XC90 is, without doubt, the epitome of modern Scandinavian design, luxurious Swedish craftsmanship and innovative technology.
Drive-E Powertrain Options;
On the move, engines that are powerful, quiet and efficient allow for smooth progress. The XC90 is powered by Volvo’s Drive-E powertrains, including petrol, diesel and Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine, a petrol plug-in hybrid mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Volvo’s T8 Twin Engine delivers all the benefits of a high performance, low emission petrol engine with an electric motor that delivers power on demand with ultra-low CO2 emissions, more than 40 km of pure electric range, and a combined power output of around 410 bhp. This makes the XC90 T8 Twin Engine one of the most efficient and powerful 7-seater premium SUVs on the market. The model year 2020 XC90 offers customers Volvo’s advanced kinetic energy recovery braking system, which is coupled with its existing internal combustion engines to create a new integrated electrified powertrain, under its new ‘B’ badge. This new electrified powertrain offers drivers up to 15 per cent fuel savings and emission reductions in real world driving.
Advanced Safety Features;
Volvo’s City Safety technology, standard on all Volvo models, combines automatic braking functionality and collision avoidance systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios and help keep you safe. City Safety is the only system on the market that detects pedestrians, cyclists and large animals such as moose and deer. The Pilot Assist driver assistance system works up to 130 km/h on clearly marked roads, and is another step towards Volvo’s Vision 2020, which states that no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020.
Trim levels in the Volvo XC90 consist of ‘Momentum’, ‘R-Design’, ‘Inscription’, and the lavishly-appointed ‘Excellence/Excellence Lounge’ models, with each model providing occupants with an ultimate experience in terms of luxury, style, comfort and safety.
Test Car;
My test car was a Volvo XC90 R-Design B5 AWD (All Wheel Drive) Automatic Diesel Mild Hybrid, which was finished in Thunder Grey metallic paint. Powering this car is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance, which – thanks to 235bhp and 480Nm of torque – can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 7.8-seconds, while returning fuel consumption as low as 6.9l/100km. The XC90 is a genuinely impressive car to drive. The car’s powertrain is smooth, punchy and agile, while the automatic gearbox is well-judged and simple to use. Gearchange paddles are located behind the steering wheel for drivers looking to change gears more rapidly, but I never felt the need to use them at all. The XC90 feels very well controlled no matter what the road surface is like, while the steering is very responsive to driver inputs too. Motorway cruising in the XC90 is supreme, but the car is relaxing to drive on twisty back roads too. Cabin space within the XC90 is terrific, with generous head, leg and shoulder room on offer for all occupants. With all 7 seats in place, the XC90 boasts 314-litres of useable cargo space, but this can be extended to a massive 1,868-litres with the five rear seats folded flat.
Impressive Specification;
Standard ‘R-Design’ specification is hugely impressive, with key features such as sports seats, LED headlights & foglights, front & rear park assist, rear camera, 20” diamond-cut alloy wheels, 12.3” Active TFT infotainment screen, powered & heated front seats, rear privacy glass, and high-gloss black exterior trim detailing, along with many more comfort, convenience and safety features for an exceptional occupant experience.
Pricing;
Pricing for the Volvo XC90 luxury SUV start at €77,970 (ex-works), with my test car specification priced from €82,860 (ex-works). With a refined strength, and elegant craftsmanship, the Volvo XC90 really does shine in the large, luxury SUV market.
