Volvo's Refreshed XC90 Ups The Sophistication

It’s got looks, safety, luxury. And now a concierge service and six-seater configuration add to this SUV’s allure.

Volvo’s brand reinvention efforts, which culminated in the launch of the new-look Volvo XC90, have been paying off. Today, Volvo cars, always among the world’s safest, are now also among the most desired luxury vehicles.

When the new-look XC90 debuted locally in 2015, South African motorists demonstrated their approval of the large, luxury SUV in sales numbers, the model immediately becoming the brand’s bestseller.

Large, roomy and elegantly kitted out, the sophisticated seven-seater SUV boasted advanced safety credentials and a host of innovative technology.

Rather than mess with that successful recipe and change what is still a contemporary and visually striking vehicle, the Swedish brand has elected to carry through the same styling in the 2020 XC90 and instead add a few more bells and whistles to its flagship model.

Aside from new wheels and ‘modernised’ grille, not much has changed externally on the refreshed version. The biggest changes are a brand new six-seat configuration and concierge service.

The 2020 XC90 version offers a range of two-litre, four-cylinder petrol and diesel powertrains all coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Four trim options, Momentum, Inscription, R-Design and Excellence, are offered.

Finweek spent quality driving time in the seven-seater sporty R-Design model of the range-topping Volvo XC90 T8, a hybrid with a supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor.

Cabin sophistication