The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Second generation Volvo XC90 one of the finest luxury SUVs
Less is most definitely not more when it comes to the second generation Volvo XC90. Bigger, bolder and more technologically advanced than ever, it’s a long way removed from its low-key predecessor. The interior’s beautifully finished and the focus is on downsized, efficient engines.
Key to understanding the dynamics of this second generation XC90 is the fact that it runs on the all-new chassis based on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).
In this guise, it’s lighter, stronger and safer than the old XC90 chassis, but despite an increase in vehicle dimensions, this XC90 downsizes its engines.
The flagship engine is the 320PS T6 petrol, which utilises both turbo and supercharging, while most British customers will inevitably walk straight past that to look instead at the 225PS D5 twin turbodiesel.
Both engines drive all four wheels via the almost obligatory eight-speed automatic transmission. The other option is the T8 Twin Engine petrol/electric plugin hybrid model, billed as ‘the world’s most powerful and cleanest SUV.’
The interior is boldly-styled, with a massive tablet-like touch screen control console helping to create an interior that is modern, spacious and uncluttered.
Volvo’s clearly put a lot of budget into driving up materials quality and this XC90 gets soft leather and wood with handcrafted details, including a gear lever made of crystal glass from Orrefors, the Swedish glassmaker, and diamond-cut controls for the start/stop button and volume control.
This genuine seven seater features innovatively designed seats that also free up interior space for passengers in both the second and third seat rows. Even the third row can seat an adult up to 170cm tall.
In the D5 diesel most will choose, expect 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and 149g/km of CO2. The T8 Twin Engine petrol plug-in hybrid model does even better, delivering 49g/km of CO2, 134mpg and up to 26 miles of pure electric driving range. This XC90 is Volvo’s natural progression.