STEP IT UP (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_volvoxc90_2019

By Jonathan Crouch

This improved version of the second generation Volvo XC90 aims to make the most of its sleek Swedish design values. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 63

Volvo's second generation XC90 is a seven-seat luxury SUV that has given key rivals like Audi's Q7 and the Land Rover Discovery a lot to think about. Safe, efficient, clever, practical and stylish, it has re-established this Swedish maker as a credibly prestigious automotive brand. This significantly revised version offers slightly smarter styling and a more up-to-date cabin. It's well worth a look.

Backgroundword count: 160

In well over two decades on sale, Volvo's XC90 has created a niche for itself that rivals have struggled to penetrate. It's never been particularly sporty or SUV-like. Instead, its cool, laid-back Swedish vibe hit the perfect note with many families who weren't bothered about either of those two extremes in choosing a big seven-seat crossover. So much so that the original MK1 model hung around for absolutely ages, launched in 2002 and sold right up to 2014. This MK2 version could have an even longer production run. Originally launched in 2015, then updated in 2019, you might think a full replacement would be on the cards by now, but even with huge Chinese Geely backing, Volvo simply doesn't have the funds to drliver that at the same time as developing similarly-sized full-EV models like the EX90. So what we're got instead is another light second generation XC90 update, which has brought a sharper look and updated cabin screen tech.

Driving Experienceword count: 367

Mild hybrid tech is retained for the mainstream B5 petrol version of this model, which mates the usual 2.0-litre four cylinder Volvo engine with a 48-volt battery, a 'KERS' kinetic energy recovery system and an 'ISG' integrated starter-generator. This AWD powertrain puts out 250hp with 360Nm of torque - and 62mph from rest occupies 7.7s en route to the 112mph top speed that all Volvos share. As usual with an XC90, the alternative is the brand's rather sophisticated T8 Plug-in hybrid powertrain. As before, this T8 engine is both turbocharged and supercharged and combines 310hp of engine output with a 145hp electric motor to deliver a total 455hp output, with a thumping 709Nm of torque. This allows 62mph from rest to be dispatched in just 5.4s, though the 2,295kg kerb weight rather blunts the urgency of that performance. We'd hoped for a bigger PHEV battery as part of this update to give this T8 an EV drive range closer to Plug-in hybrid rivals in this segment from Mercedes and BMW, but the same 18.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack remains, offering up to 44.1 miles of EAER-rated pure electric driving range when fully charged. There are no changes to handling dynamics as part of this update - apart from a set of tweaks made to soften the passive suspension set-up. Which few customers will appreciate because above base trim, that set-up's ditched in favour of the far superior 'Active Four-C Chassis' package, which gives you four-corner adaptive dampers and electronic air suspension. We'd say that this set-up is almost a must-have with an XC90, noticeably improving ride quality. And complementing excellent cruising refinement, which easily meets the required executive standard despite this Volvo's use of four cylinders in a segment where six cylinders are the norm. A standard 'Pilot Assist' system offers a degree of highway-orientated autonomous driving technology. There's the potential for a mild amount of off road prowess, but obviously your off piste ambitions are going to be limited by the 231mm ride height and this T8 model won't even be able to wade through water if it goes above the bottom of the sills. More importantly perhaps, towing capacity for both variants is rated at 2,400kg.

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