The XC90 is one of Volvo Cars flagship releases, and thanks to a broad suite of technology and design updates inside and out, the award-winning and best-selling hybrid SUV is now visible on South Africa’s roads.

• The Volvo XC90 is a refined family hauler that proves style and substance can share the same lane.
• A new, more contemporary exterior design reinforces the XC90’s confident look.
• Whilst not the fastest SUV, the Volvo XC90 is possibly the smartest and safest in its class.
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The Sandton Times had the opportunity to take the Volvo XC90 for a week long test drive through the latte laden streets of Africa’s richest square mile to really get a feel for this Swedish SUV – no brisk drive by candle-lit string quartet here.

It’s positioned as a premium seven-seater with ‘comfortable’ as its middle name, and continues to push itself as one of the safest cars on the road, and in plug-in hybrid form it’s an electric car with a back-up plan, offering more than 70 kilometres of fully electric range on a single charge under the WLTP testing cycle.

This means that many drivers will be able to do their day-to-day travel with zero tailpipe emissions. In fact, Volvo data shows that around half of the distance covered by the latest plug-in hybrid Volvo cars is driven on pure electric power. And the XC90 has more power when you need it – for longer trips, the hybrid powertrain is paired with an efficient petrol engine to extend your range by more than 800km.

Yet arguably the biggest news comes inside. A renewed interior enhances practicality and brings the latest user experience, seen in the new EX90 and EX30 electric cars, into the XC90. A larger central touchscreen with higher resolution improves the user experience and opens up a world of new features, apps and of course regular over-the-air software updates if you take the time to fully understand it. If you’re expecting a quick familiarisation, scroll through and off you go, well, you’ll be sorely disappointed. This system requires time to navigate.

Alongside the new line-up of fully electric cars, the plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 remains a popular choice for buyers and an important car for Volvo in terms of sales and profitability. Together with Volvo fully electric models, plug-in hybrid cars like the XC90 and its siblings make up an exciting and balanced global product portfolio for Volvo Cars, providing a strong bridge to a fully electrified future – or so Volvo believe.

This balance between fully electric and plug-in hybrids is very much in line with South Africa’s demands, as the premium fully electric market is still developing in several key markets, including our own backyard.

Using radar and a front camera, the XC90 can detect if you’ve 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, such as a moose – which outside of continental Europe is highly unlikely, but feel free to replace this with a cow, giraffe or kudu.

The ride in the XC90 is better than ever before, with legendary seating comfort and improved suspension as standard. Each individual damper is now able to adapt mechanically to current road conditions to optimise both comfort and stability – for a more confident and relaxed driving experience. And if you want to go all in, the optional air suspension works together with an active chassis that monitors the car, road and driver 500 times per second to give the most comfortable ride possible.

Depending on whether you want easy access getting in or out, better aerodynamics at speed, or additional ride height for rough terrain, an XC90 with air suspension can lower itself by 20mm or raise itself by 40mm.

The renewed interior comes with a redesigned front cabin that represents the best of contemporary Scandinavian design – you might however want to give the light fabric seats a rethink if you have pets or kids…it feels like trouble waiting to happen. The dashboard has a more horizontal shape than before, incorporates decorative panels made from premium recycled materials for a more textured finish, and is split by new vertical air vents. Enhanced illumination contributes to an even more luxurious feel at night.

Volvo also reconfigured the cabin to make it even more practical in response to feedback from current XC90 owners. Volvo designers created additional storage space in the centre console, including an additional cup-holder, and placed the wireless phone charger behind the central tunnel, separate from the main storage area.

The XC90 can be specified with one of the best-sounding audio systems for a car, in the Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system that can faithfully replicate the acoustics of a stage, a concert hall or a jazz club. This really does add a feel good factor to the driving experience along with remarkable boot space, which will satisfy even the most heavy traveller.

Style, technology, and that Scandinavian image come at a price – here’s what the Volvo XC90 will set you back:
• Volvo XC90 B5 AWD Plus Dark R1’532’500 (RR Price)
• Volvo XC90 B5 AWD Ultra Dark R 1 632 800 (RR Price)
• Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge AWD Plus Bright R1’807’300 (RR Price)
• Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge AWD Ultra Dark R1’907’500 (RR Price)

Finally, for customers who prefer it, Volvo also offer a choice of two mild-hybrid petrol variants. Both the B5 and B6 are assisted by a 48v lithium-ion battery and an integrated starter/generator which can help reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 15% in real-world driving.

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