After ten full years and a gentle facelift in between, the second-generation Volvo XC90 has lastly are available for a considerable makeover. As beforehand reported, the automobile retains the unique Scalable Product Structure (SPA) and physique construction of its predecessor, however that doesn’t imply there hasn’t been a heavy transforming each cosmetically and underneath the pores and skin.
Let’s begin with the appears to be like. The present XC90’s sharp go well with was a breath of recent air again in 2014, however familiarity on account of its resounding success – particularly in Malaysia – made it look a bit of drained because the yr wore on. Fortunately, this newest design has largely banished that, though it’s nonetheless apparent it’s the identical XC90 you recognize and love.
The entrance of the automobile is the place nearly all the modifications have been made. It bears loads of similarities with the electrical EX90 and EX30, though it’s not fairly as trend ahead as these vehicles. Volvo’s iconic Thor’s Hammer LED headlights have a extra pronounced T form and at last dispense with the awkward “tail” on the trailing edge – plus they’re now visually linked to the broader grille.
The stated grille could be the most controversial a part of the redesign, sustaining the Iron Mark brand and diagonal chrome bar however including a brand new criss-cross slat sample much like the newest BMW 1 Collection and X3. The bumper has additionally been re-profiled with a wider central air consumption and slimmer vertical nook inlets for a sleeker but no much less imposing look.
Sadly, that’s just about all of the sheetmetal tweaks you’ll discover on the XC90. Even the vertical taillights have been carried over, albeit with what look like smoked internals that do give the automobile a cleaner look. Volvo is not less than providing an all-new vary of alloy wheel designs, starting from 20 inches in diameter to the huge 22s you see right here.
The modifications go fairly a bit additional on the within. The dashboard is all new – though it doesn’t look it, given that you just nonetheless have vertical air vents, a chunky bodily quantity knob underneath the touchscreen, a tall and broad centre console, an Orrefors crystal gear selector and an optionally available Bowers & Wilkins sound system (nonetheless with 19 audio system, however with a decreased output of 1,100 watts).
The seven seats are additionally unchanged, however provided that the outgoing automobile nonetheless had a number of the most comfy ones within the enterprise, it’s certainly no hardship to anybody who will purchase this factor. As a substitute, it’s the little issues which have been added, largely for the sake of practicality – incorporating suggestions from prospects.
These embrace as a smaller third cupholder within the centre console and the repositioning of the Qi wi-fi charger to the entrance – separate from the primary storage space – for added comfort. You additionally now get textured ornamental trim produced from recycled supplies, in addition to upgraded ambient lighting.
After all, one can not overlook the most important change of all of them – the a lot bigger 11.2-inch portrait infotainment touchscreen, now standing happy with the sprint, 2025 Proton X70 type. This not solely has a 21% larger pixel density but additionally obtain the newest person interface from the EX90 and EX30, now with Google Maps entrance and centre and telephone and media controls completely down under – which means you gained’t have to go away the navigation system to, say, skip songs.
Beneath all that may be a contextual shortcut bar that modifications relying on the scenario, on high of displaying your most up-to-date apps. It additionally contains an icon for the drive modes, which was once managed through a bodily curler dial earlier than disappearing into the menus. The perfect half? Volvo has confirmed that the brand new interface may even be rolled out subsequent yr to vehicles with Android Automotive OS made as early as 2020, involving round 2.5 million prospects.
The plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 AWD has been wildly profitable for Volvo, particularly over right here. The brand new mannequin retains largely the identical setup, pairing a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 145 PS/309 Nm electrical motor and an eight-speed automated gearbox. Nonetheless, the four-pot mill has truly been detuned barely, producing 310 PS at 6,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,800 rpm.
As such, whole system output has additionally been decreased to 455 PS – nonetheless sufficient to get this 2.3-tonne behemoth from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. Battery capability is sadly unchanged at 18.8 kWh, leading to a subpar pure electrical vary of between 63 and 71 km – far under what the BMW X5 xDrive50e affords (as much as 110 km). A full cost utilizing a 6.4 kW AC charger takes three hours.
Volvo nonetheless affords the XC90 with two 48-volt gentle hybrid choices. They each use the identical 2.0 litre engine minus the PHEV gubbins – the B5 produces 250 PS and 360 Nm, getting it from zero to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, whereas the B6 bumps up the facility output to 299 PS.
Past the mostly-untouched engines, the brand new XC90 rides on upgraded suspension, geared up with new dampers which are in a position to “adapt mechanically” to altering street situations – this sounds an terrible lot just like the more and more well-liked frequency selective dampers. Adaptive air suspension is accessible as an possibility, identical to earlier than. Extra sound deadening has been added to cut back street and wind noise.
As befits a Volvo, the XC90 continues to return chock stuffed with driver help options, together with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, bicycle owner, oncoming car and enormous animal detection, Pilot Help Stage 2 semi-autonomous driving, Run Off Highway Safety, emergency cease help, blind spot monitoring and rear cross visitors alert with auto brake. Some markets additionally obtain vehicle-to-X (V2X) communication.
The brand new Volvo XC90 is now out there to order in Europe, with manufacturing and deliveries because of begin on the finish of this yr.
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