FirstDrive: Volvo XC90: Volvo has put technology first in new XC90, says Daniel Attwood
Just three years into its life, the XC90 - Volvo's must-have seven-seat SUV - has received a minimal facelift. But while the exterior receives only slight cosmetic modifications, major changes have taken place beneath the skin.
When it arrived early in 2003, Volvo's first attempt at a luxury SUV was widely praised for its car-like feel and went on to become one of the world's leading 4x4 fashion statements. Because of its success, original production almost doubled from 50,000 to 90,000.
This time, Volvo has concentrated on improving the technology, increasing specification levels and adding two new large petrol engines, as well as introducing a flagship Executive model. "We already have a winning concept, so the aim was fine-tuning rather than making major changes," explained Volvo president, Fredrik Arp.
From the outside, few will spot the new grille, the little extra chrome trimming and the new rear lights. For a car now costing from €67,200 and generally bought by people wanting to make a statement, it is disappointing Volvo was not braver with its design updates.
Things get a little more interesting inside. There's new upholstery and some design touches to the centre console. On the technology front, the already excellent satnav system has been upgraded. There's also the option of BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), which uses cameras in the door mirrors to warn of vehicles in the driver's blind spot. On test, it often warned when there was no car in the blind spot or failed to warn when there was, which soon made it annoying and eventually forced us to turn it off.
Apologetic Volvo engineers blamed a software issue that they promised will be resolved for customers who opt for this €945 feature. Under the hood of the mid-range €75,810 model there's a new 235bhp 3.2-litre in-line six-cylinder engine, which has been slotted in to replace the current six-cylinder T6 petrol engine.
While in other countries the current five-cylinder petrol is also dropped in favour of the new 3.2, Volvo Ireland has decided to continue with this smaller entry-level engine for our tax-heavy market. Nevertheless, most Irish buyers will buy the 185bhp D5 diesel, which already makes up 93 per cent of XC90 sales here and now starts at €67,200 - the same price as the entry petrol model.
Despite this massive diesel penetration, Volvo has also introduced a 4.4-litre 311bhp V8 powertrain allowing the flagship €89,950 XC90 to take on the high-powered petrol versions of competitors like the Range Rover Sport and VW Touareg.