Refreshed Volvo XC90 PHEV Looks To The Future.

Refreshed Volvo XC90 PHEV Looks To The Future.

The second-generation Volvo XC90 was launched back in 2015, and it isn’t going anywhere soon, as the mighty seven-seat SUV has received a fresh new look, comfort-enhancing upgrades and a reimagined interior in order to ensure it remains at the top of its game for the foreseeable future. The XC90 measures in at just under 5-metres in length, and just under 1.8-metres in height, so it does possess terrific road presence and, with a wheelbase of just under 3-metre, it provides all seven occupants with generous levels of head, leg and elbow room. Buyers can choose between Core, Plus and Ultra trim variants.

Exterior Enhancements.

A new, more contemporary exterior design reinforces the XC90’s confident look. New features include a new grille design that plays on Volvo’s classic diagonal bar motif, along with slimmer headlights with a new interpretation of Volvo’s famous “Thor’s Hammer” lighting signature. Other exterior enhancements consist of a slightly more sculpted bonnet, new front wings, reprofiled front and rear bumpers, darkened tail-lights and new alloy wheels.

Luxurious, Refined Cabin.

The XC90’s luxurious cabin showcases some new designs on the dashboard, doors and centre console that incorporate more textured surfaces, redesigned air vents and a pixel-rich 11.2-inch free-standing central touchscreen, which is more user-friendly and responsive than before. More sustainably sourced materials than ever are used throughout the cabin, and practicality has been enhanced too, with the inclusion of an extra cup-holder for skinny drink cans and a relocated wireless smartphone charger that free’s up additional storage space on the centre console. Even though refinement was never an issue in the XC90, Volvo decided to raise the bar even higher by adding acoustic foam to the A and B-pillars to improve insulation from road and wind noise. The suspension set-up in the ‘Core’ model now features Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology that is designed to improve ride quality without compromising the XC90’s legendary handling characteristics. Advanced air suspension comes as standard in Pure and Ultra trim variants.

Advanced Driver Assist Systems.

As with every Volvo car, the XC90 is one of the safest cars available. It is equipped with an advanced safety cage, as well as a comprehensive suite of active safety features to help keep everyone safe. Using radar and a front camera, the XC90 can detect if you have drifted into the oncoming lane and steer you safely back into your own lane to avoid the risk of a collision. It will also help you avoid inadvertently running off the road, and it can use braking and steering to help avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. As part of Volvo Cars’ vision that no one should be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo car, the company has put safety at the centre of everything it does, and the XC90 continues to prove, year after year, that it is among the safest vehicles on the road.

Spacious Interior & Boot.

Up to seven people travel comfortably in individual, ergonomically designed seats. All seats adjust easily to suit personal preferences, and in the third row, two passengers of up to 170cm in height can travel comfortably with ample legroom. Each seat on the second row slides and reclines individually to maximise comfort or further enhance legroom in the third row. In order to facilitate getting in and out of the third row, the outer seat backrests of the second row fold conveniently and the seat can be pushed forward. Further enhancing the versatility of the XC90, both third-row seats are easy to fold individually into the load area floor so you can transport both passengers and cargo without compromising comfort. With five seats in use, the load compartment area comes with an impressive 650-litres of space, with up to 1,874-litres available with the second and third row seats folded. Even with all 7 seats in use, there is still a supermini-sized 302-litres available. The cargo space is accessed by way of an electric tailgate that can be programmed to open at a lower height than its maximum, making it very useful if you park in a garage with limited roof height. With Google built-in, Google Maps are seamlessly integrated to help you reach your destination with less hassle. You can ask Google Assistant to help with directions, enjoy entertainment and keep in touch with friends and colleagues by simply saying “Hey Google” to get started. Additionally, Google Play lets you enjoy the apps and services that can make every journey more entertaining and convenient.

Powerful PHEV Powertrain.

The T8 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in the XC90 has an electric range of up to 72km, and it is capable of consuming as little as 1.3-litres of petrol for every 100km on a WLTP combine d driving cycle. The turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre petrol engine combined with the electric motors produce 455PS (448bhp) and a thumping 709Nm of torque, with a 0-100km/h sprint taking just 5.4-seconds to complete, on its way to an electronically-restricted top speed of 180km/h (where permitted).

Charging.

The XC90 PHEV can be charged from 0-100% in about three hours with a 6.4kW 2-phase onboard charger, with many owners plugging in overnight for quick and easy charging. The XC90’s effortless, dynamic control provides the ability to experience the comfort of one-pedal drive in the electric ‘Pure’ mode, or switch into all-wheel drive for increased stability and traction in all road conditions.

Test Car.

My XC90 T8 PHEV ‘Plus’ test car was finished in elegant Bright Dusk (Gold) metallic paintwork with standard 20-inch multi-spoke, glossy black, diamond-cut alloy wheels, and Cardamom quilted Nordico upholstery (leather-free) in a Charcoal/Cardamom interior. In addition to the comprehensive list of standard equipment in entry-level ‘Core’ trim, ‘Plus’ trim benefits from a panoramic roof (openable), a Harmon Kardon Premium Sound system, active air suspension, a 360-degree camera, side park assist, crystal gear shift by Orrefors™, and an air-ventilated subwoofer. The XC90’s tall stance provides the driver with excellent visibility from every angle, and parking manoeuvres are simplified thanks to the excellent 360-degree camera system and parking sensors. On a motorway, the XC90 cruises along effortlessly, and its overtaking ability is immense, while overall levels of refinement are excellent. When driving on twisty country roads, the driver will be rewarded with terrific stability and a reassuring sense of connection with the road. Volvo’s integration of the plug-in hybrid system is admirable, as the transition from electric power to a combination of the electric motor and petrol engine is barely noticeable at all. The eight-speed automatic transmission works extremely well with the PHEV system, and the beautiful (illuminated) crystal gear shift provides a real sense of occasion to every journey. Impressively, the XC90 PHEV has a towing capacity of 2,400kg with a braked trailer, and a Co2 emissions figure of 30-36g/km results in annual road tax of just €140.

Verdict & Price.

The new XC90 PHEV perfectly combines luxury, performance, fuel-efficiency and sustainability in one elegant package. Scandinavian design principles create a calm, luxurious cabin environment that will find favour with all occupants, and everything about the large SUV feels upmarket. Pricing starts from €95,995 (Core variant), with my test car specification priced from €99,895.

Visit www.volvocars.com for further information.