The Volvo XC90: A New Era in Luxury and Capability

Volvo's latest offering, the XC90, is a car that has been eagerly anticipated for years. It's hard to overestimate just how important this car is for Volvo, as it replaces the company's iconic model that has been on sale since 2002, with over 600,000 units sold worldwide. The old XC90 was loved by its owners, and the new one must live up to high expectations.

One of the key areas where Volvo wanted to be class-leading is in safety. As a car brand, Volvo is synonymous with safety, and this latest offering does not disappoint. With a robust body structure and advanced airbag system, the XC90 provides a level of protection that would make even the most seasoned driver feel at ease.

Another area where Volvo aims to excel is in environmental sustainability. The company has been committed to reducing its carbon footprint for years, and the XC90 is no exception. With a range of efficient engines, including petrols and diesels, Volvo is confident that this car will appeal to those who want a reliable and environmentally friendly vehicle.

Design is also a key area where Volvo hopes to outdo the competition. The XC90 boasts a sleek and modern design, with clean lines and minimalism being its guiding principles. The dashboard is particularly noteworthy, with digital dials and a large touchscreen display that controls most of the car's functions.

But how does the XC90 perform on the road? In short, it drives beautifully. Volvo has focused on providing a comfortable ride, with plenty of legroom and headroom throughout the cabin. Even the rear seats are surprisingly spacious, making this car an ideal choice for families or those who enjoy long drives.

However, there is one area where the XC90 falls slightly short: its chassis dynamics. While it's certainly not uncomfortable to drive, the car doesn't exactly scream "dynamic" performance. The engine response can be a bit sluggish at times, and the gearbox, while smooth, can feel slow to change gear. This may not be a major issue for those prioritizing comfort above all else, but for enthusiasts looking for a more engaging driving experience, the XC90 might not be the best choice.

But what about the intuitive system that controls the car's functions? Unfortunately, Volvo has taken a step back in this area, with the absence of an "s" button for the gearbox being particularly frustrating. To change gear mode, drivers must navigate through various menus, which can feel slow and cumbersome. The touchscreen display is, however, very responsive and easy to use, even with gloves on.

One feature that sets the XC90 apart from its competitors is its innovative touchscreen system. Volvo claims it's faster than an iPad, thanks to infrared technology that detects where your hands are likely to touch next. This means scrolling through maps or menus can feel almost effortless. The navigation system itself is also impressive, with a smooth and responsive interface that makes finding your way easy.

Other features, such as the temperature control and ventilation system, can be adjusted using the touchscreen display, but require a separate button press for each individual setting. While this may seem minor, it's worth noting that Volvo has aimed to keep the dashboard clean and clutter-free, which is no bad thing in our opinion.

In conclusion, the Volvo XC90 is a car that checks all the right boxes: safety, environmental sustainability, design, and functionality. It may not be the most dynamic driver on the road, but it's certainly one of the most comfortable and practical. With its robust build quality and attention to detail, this car will undoubtedly become a favorite among Volvo fans worldwide.

But for those who want the absolute best, might there be something else on offer? Only time will tell as the XC90 takes center stage in Volvo's lineup. One thing is certain, however: the company has put its heart and soul into creating a car that meets – or exceeds – even the highest expectations.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enVolvo's XC90 then it's hard to overestimate just how important this car is for Volvo you'll know the old XC90 it's been on sale since 2002 Bo sold 600 odd thousand of them owners love them so this one has got a big old job on its hands to replace it not only that it's an all new modular platform that will underpin all Volvos in future I mean this is Volvo's newest car now in four or 5 years time this will be the oldest car in the Volvo range that's how far this platform has got to go it's built in a new Factory has a new range of modular engines petrols and diesels all four cylinders Volvo is not going to make anything bigger than a four-cylinder motor so it needs to be good now Volvo has earmarked four areas where it wanted to be class leading with this car and they are safety because it's Volvo and it should environment because it's Volvo and that's what they do design sort of Swedish design I'll let you judge that for yourself really I think it's I think it's pretty Pleasant and the fourth one is intuitiveness or functionality if you like so what you can probably see around me are the fact that where a cabin usually would have 30 40 vol reckon some manufacturers might even have 50 or 60 buttons put around a cockpit the XC90 only has eight now I mean that's a slight exaggeration because actually I've got a button for a drive mode and handbrake and stuff down here and even though actually most things are dealt with by this touch screen that I come to a moment there is a sort of Ip odish home button in the middle of it but it is this upright portrait display that now handles everything is it intuitive well Volvo reckons it's got something over even an iPad in that you can use it with gloves on uh it detects where your hands are it knows where you're going to touch before you've even touched it because there's an infrared thing across the screen and praise be it is fast I mean scrolling around the map on the nav mode is very easy I've waited I don't know how long for a navigation system that you can just flick left and right and it the map goes where it wants to I mean it's a it's a work of rare genius other bits are not quite so successful you have to go into the to the screen to adjust anything other than automatic temperature on the uh heating ventilation system for example but by and large yeah I'm pretty impressed really and it leaves the dashboard clean crisp Pleasant dials are fully digital as well and you know what they're very nice too what you might have not noticed on Volvo's list of four things it must beat the world in were not chassis Dynamics or refinement now that's okay when it comes to Dynamics Volvo has been about comfort and security more than dynamism anyway so the fact that the X90 is largely relaxing to drive and it and it's and it rides okay uh is actually no bad thing but it wouldn't hurt if a the engine was a little bit quieter and B also if the gearbox response was is just a bit crisper cuz the problem is it is a little bit sluggish to change gear and of course because of the intuitive system there is no s button for the gearbox you've got to go into all the menus and change your drive mode if you actually want to make the gearbox a bit more responsive now the question is does any of that matter I suspect not a lot because this Volvo does exactly what the last XC90 did very well it sits two in the front in brilliant Comfort three in the center row in brilliant comfort and even two people right in the boot in pretty good Comfort actually the seats in the back are the same as the seats in the middle and it's that kind of usability functionality get in it in the morning and not worry about it kind of ease that people like of an XC90 and I have a strong suspicion that this one will do it just as well as the last oneVolvo's XC90 then it's hard to overestimate just how important this car is for Volvo you'll know the old XC90 it's been on sale since 2002 Bo sold 600 odd thousand of them owners love them so this one has got a big old job on its hands to replace it not only that it's an all new modular platform that will underpin all Volvos in future I mean this is Volvo's newest car now in four or 5 years time this will be the oldest car in the Volvo range that's how far this platform has got to go it's built in a new Factory has a new range of modular engines petrols and diesels all four cylinders Volvo is not going to make anything bigger than a four-cylinder motor so it needs to be good now Volvo has earmarked four areas where it wanted to be class leading with this car and they are safety because it's Volvo and it should environment because it's Volvo and that's what they do design sort of Swedish design I'll let you judge that for yourself really I think it's I think it's pretty Pleasant and the fourth one is intuitiveness or functionality if you like so what you can probably see around me are the fact that where a cabin usually would have 30 40 vol reckon some manufacturers might even have 50 or 60 buttons put around a cockpit the XC90 only has eight now I mean that's a slight exaggeration because actually I've got a button for a drive mode and handbrake and stuff down here and even though actually most things are dealt with by this touch screen that I come to a moment there is a sort of Ip odish home button in the middle of it but it is this upright portrait display that now handles everything is it intuitive well Volvo reckons it's got something over even an iPad in that you can use it with gloves on uh it detects where your hands are it knows where you're going to touch before you've even touched it because there's an infrared thing across the screen and praise be it is fast I mean scrolling around the map on the nav mode is very easy I've waited I don't know how long for a navigation system that you can just flick left and right and it the map goes where it wants to I mean it's a it's a work of rare genius other bits are not quite so successful you have to go into the to the screen to adjust anything other than automatic temperature on the uh heating ventilation system for example but by and large yeah I'm pretty impressed really and it leaves the dashboard clean crisp Pleasant dials are fully digital as well and you know what they're very nice too what you might have not noticed on Volvo's list of four things it must beat the world in were not chassis Dynamics or refinement now that's okay when it comes to Dynamics Volvo has been about comfort and security more than dynamism anyway so the fact that the X90 is largely relaxing to drive and it and it's and it rides okay uh is actually no bad thing but it wouldn't hurt if a the engine was a little bit quieter and B also if the gearbox response was is just a bit crisper cuz the problem is it is a little bit sluggish to change gear and of course because of the intuitive system there is no s button for the gearbox you've got to go into all the menus and change your drive mode if you actually want to make the gearbox a bit more responsive now the question is does any of that matter I suspect not a lot because this Volvo does exactly what the last XC90 did very well it sits two in the front in brilliant Comfort three in the center row in brilliant comfort and even two people right in the boot in pretty good Comfort actually the seats in the back are the same as the seats in the middle and it's that kind of usability functionality get in it in the morning and not worry about it kind of ease that people like of an XC90 and I have a strong suspicion that this one will do it just as well as the last oneVolvo's XC90 then it's hard to overestimate just how important this car is for Volvo you'll know the old XC90 it's been on sale since 2002 Bo sold 600 odd thousand of them owners love them so this one has got a big old job on its hands to replace it not only that it's an all new modular platform that will underpin all Volvos in future I mean this is Volvo's newest car now in four or 5 years time this will be the oldest car in the Volvo range that's how far this platform has got to go it's built in a new Factory has a new range of modular engines petrols and diesels all four cylinders Volvo is not going to make anything bigger than a four-cylinder motor so it needs to be good now Volvo has earmarked four areas where it wanted to be class leading with this car and they are safety because it's Volvo and it should environment because it's Volvo and that's what they do design sort of Swedish design I'll let you judge that for yourself really I think it's I think it's pretty Pleasant and the fourth one is intuitiveness or functionality if you like so what you can probably see around me are the fact that where a cabin usually would have 30 40 vol reckon some manufacturers might even have 50 or 60 buttons put around a cockpit the XC90 only has eight now I mean that's a slight exaggeration because actually I've got a button for a drive mode and handbrake and stuff down here and even though actually most things are dealt with by this touch screen that I come to a moment there is a sort of Ip odish home button in the middle of it but it is this upright portrait display that now handles everything is it intuitive well Volvo reckons it's got something over even an iPad in that you can use it with gloves on uh it detects where your hands are it knows where you're going to touch before you've even touched it because there's an infrared thing across the screen and praise be it is fast I mean scrolling around the map on the nav mode is very easy I've waited I don't know how long for a navigation system that you can just flick left and right and it the map goes where it wants to I mean it's a it's a work of rare genius other bits are not quite so successful you have to go into the to the screen to adjust anything other than automatic temperature on the uh heating ventilation system for example but by and large yeah I'm pretty impressed really and it leaves the dashboard clean crisp Pleasant dials are fully digital as well and you know what they're very nice too what you might have not noticed on Volvo's list of four things it must beat the world in were not chassis Dynamics or refinement now that's okay when it comes to Dynamics Volvo has been about comfort and security more than dynamism anyway so the fact that the X90 is largely relaxing to drive and it and it's and it rides okay uh is actually no bad thing but it wouldn't hurt if a the engine was a little bit quieter and B also if the gearbox response was is just a bit crisper cuz the problem is it is a little bit sluggish to change gear and of course because of the intuitive system there is no s button for the gearbox you've got to go into all the menus and change your drive mode if you actually want to make the gearbox a bit more responsive now the question is does any of that matter I suspect not a lot because this Volvo does exactly what the last XC90 did very well it sits two in the front in brilliant Comfort three in the center row in brilliant comfort and even two people right in the boot in pretty good Comfort actually the seats in the back are the same as the seats in the middle and it's that kind of usability functionality get in it in the morning and not worry about it kind of ease that people like of an XC90 and I have a strong suspicion that this one will do it just as well as the last one\n"