By Otsile Kadiege

Volvo Cars’ flagship and award-winning XC90 seven-seater SUV went under the knife for a much welcomed updated. The facelifted model gets an exterior nip & tuck, new technologies sourced from its all-electric stablemates, a new suspension setup which includes an optional air suspension and new trimmings made of sustainable materials.

Exterior updates

Outside, the most noticeable changes to the design of the XC90 is up front. New to the long-standing flagship Volvo are newly designed LED headlights with a modern take on the ‘Thor hammer’ LED daytime running lights which double as sequential turn signals, a revised grille with vertical and diagonal slats and a revised front bumper with chrome accents.

More exterior updates include newly designed set of alloy wheels measuring 22-inches, slightly darkened LED taillights and a tweaked rear bumper.

Interior updates

Inside, the Swedish seven-seater gets a new 11.2-inch touch display that’s similar to the EX30. It’s running on a Google-based infotainment system and supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Volvo has added new sustainable materials to the interior trimmings of the XC90 as well as redesigned air vents and door panels.

Volvo designers also created additional storage space in the centre console, including an additional cup-holder, and placed the wireless phone charger behind the central tunnel, separate from the main storage area, for greater convenience.

Engine lineup

The XC90’s engine line up remains unchanged. Locally there are two powertrain options – a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 183kW and 350Nm and the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with plug-in hybrid technology churning a total system output of 340kW and 709Nm.

Mechanically, Volvo has improved the suspension. Each individual damper is now able to adapt mechanically to current road conditions to optimise both comfort and stability – for a more confident and relaxed driving experience. And if customers want to go all in, there’s an optional air suspension which works together with an active chassis that monitors the car, road and driver 500 times per second to give the most comfortable ride possible.

Availability

Volvo Car South Africa is yet to announce the local arrival of the facelifted XC90.