Imagine a place in the country, lashed by winter gales and drifts a metre deep, then imagine a cosy cabin, on wheels: a Volvo XC90, dashing across the bleak yet alluring landscape. You’re looking into the frozen scene from the comfort of a warm, dry, lounge room. Too often, reviews concrete on facts and figures while ignoring feelings, the very reason most buy a car.

Now I’ve set the scene, read on:

XC90 was introduced 20 years ago, lasting through to 2015 when the current car took over. It looked unassuming then, and it looks unassuming now. The subtle looks belie a behemoth AWD capable of crossing the frozen north in a single leap.

Many of us were worried when Geely bought out Ford’s premium Euro brand, Volvo. We thought there’d be an influx of odd-looking, under-performing boxes of misery. It’s not as if it hasn’t happened before: see SAAB. We needn’t have been bothered; Volvo is doing its thing unabated.

Still safety obsessed, XC90 has all the mod cons like driver assist and safety assist, but they aren’t intrusive. The active cruise is subtle, and follows whoever is in front at a respectful distance. Blind spot will also stop drivers from changing lanes into vehicles alongside, and all of this while scanning ahead to make sure no accidents will occur while the driver is trying to change a radio station or make a phone call. Why? The car can do what no driver can: concentrate on everything at once.

For a full list of safety and driver aids, SEE HERE. Media As Tested Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid ETJ73K

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The cabin:

The interior is crisp, and beautifully executed.

Lines are clean, and the ergonomics, near perfect, yet despite the price, the ambience is understated. That’s not going to suit everyone. There is the feel of a mid-century gent’s club somewhere in a smarter part of Stockholm, except this club will lower itself gently to allow you to get out gracefully.

Surfaces beg to be touched, especially the knurled metal finishes.

Menus and controls make sense, but the silly twist knob starter drives me bonkers. Once twisted, in many cases, the driver isn’t aware as there is EV drive in ready mode. Another minor annoyance is the gear lever which requires 2 pulls to get into either drive of reverse.

The Drive Experience

The driver is assisted by a centre screen, HUD, and digital instrument display. Commands and be issued through voice control, even though the full google system will not arrive until the facelift update in the near future. Nonetheless, XC90 will change temperature, and activate and de-activate many of the on-board systems.

Drive modes include one that raises the ride height using the adjustable air suspension system. The sportier the mode, the lower the ride. Even in the firmest setting, the ride is reasonably compliant. It gives XC90 a luxurious feel. You can also change the load height using a butting inside the rear hatch to aid cargo handling. The electric hatch has handsfree operation too, just in case.

There are a couple of things worth noting before we go further, one is that XC90 has AWD with the rear axel being powered purely by an electric motor. The front wheels have a 2.0L supercharged and turbo charged 4-cylinder petrol engine working in hybrid with a small electric motor. Together,  they work through an 8-speed automatic and when required, call on the rear wheels and their electric drive system. In effect, XC90 is two cars in one.

Steering is incredibly light, making the 2.3 tonne SUV feel like a nifty little city car.

You can plug the XC90 into a socket to get around 60km of EV travel, making the CO2 a mere 40g/k, with fuel consumption of 1.6L/100k on average. You can lock XC90 in to EV mode, but still call on the hybrid system should the needs arise. Combined power is around 340kw, far more powerful than previous petrol-only models. The range is huge, but XC90 is about the journey, as well as the destination. Few brands can claim that.

While in town, parking using the 3600 camera all but negates the need for mirrors, not that we advocate mirrorless parking.

Highway driving is where I felt XC90 shone. It wafts along in regal splendor with a limo-like feel. Although the 3rd row seats are going to be for younger travelers on shorter trips, 5 people are going to feel pretty comfy on longer jaunts. Apple CarPlay is by cable, making the Bowers and Wilkins sound crisp as a snowy mountain pass.

XC90 may well be a 7-yo model, but it has lost none of its appeal.

Is XC90 perfect?

No, of course not. No car is.

The infotainment system can be difficult at times. It doesn’t want to swap function, especially after getting a message of phone call. It’s not the end of the world, but can be annoying.

It is pricey, but when set against other premium models, it holds its own. The Germans have similar offerings, but XC90 is able to recharge the EV-only battery while on the move. That’s also something few can claim.

Conclusion:

22” wheels should ruin the ride, but they don’t. a 7-yo design should feel old, but it doesn’t. Although there are no Matrix headlights, the LED system includes high beam assist.

Everything is easy to use, but more importantly, XC90 feels comfortable, familiar, and cosy.

Price:

$ 118,990 (as tested $122,540)

Displacement 1969cc

Power output 233kW @ 6000rpm + 107kW @ 15900rpm (electric)

Max torque 400Nm @ 3000-5400rpm + 309Nm @ 0-3280rpm (electric)

Battery capacity 18.8 kWh

0-100km/h 5.3 seconds

Top speed 180 km/h (limited)

Fuel consumption 1.6 L/100km

CO2 emissions 40 g/km

Fuel tank 71 litres

Weight (Tare) 2310 kg

Transmission / Steering Automatic 8-speed; Electric Power Assist Steering

Engine / Drive Plug-in Hybrid 2.0 litre Four-Cylinder supercharged and turbo-charged petrol engine with an electric motor: All Wheel Drive with Electric Rear Axle Drive

Brakes / Wheels Front and rear ventilated disc brakes; 22” 5-Double Spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels; Repair kit

Chassis Double wishbone transverse link front suspension and integral link suspension; Air suspension Four-C

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