The Facelifted Volvo XC90 Is Here With A New Design And Improved Powertrains

• The new design of the XC90 is similar to its electric sibling, the EX90.

• It now gets a more minimalist cabin with a horizontal dashboard design.

• Features include a new 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless phone charger, and multiple zones of climate control.

• Gets a 2-litre plug-in hybrid petrol engine and a 2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine with two tunes.

• Available is 5-, 6-, and 7-seater configurations.

One of Volvo’s most popular cars globally, the Volvo XC90, has just received a facelift in the international market. This update brings a new look for the Swedish carmaker’s flagship ICE SUV, along with an updated cabin, new features, and improved powertrains. It is yet to be seen when this version of the XC90 will arrive in India, but if it does, here is what it could offer.

Design

The design of the XC90 now looks a lot like the EX90, which is its all-electric sibling. It now gets a bigger grille, with diagonal chrome slats, and the headlamps, now sleeker in design, merge nearly with the edges of the grille. These headlamps now also feature updated “Thor’s hammer” LED DRLs. 

The front bumper is now sleeker and the air dams are placed vertically.

On the sides, the overall silhouette remains the same, but the facelifted version comes with redesigned alloy wheels. The rear, on the other hand, remains more or less the same, with minimal changes.

Interior

The cabin has also received a redesign that is evolutionary and feels familiar. The dashboard now has a more horizontal design, with straight lines running across the width of the cabin. The horizontal AC vents, on the other hand, have been replaced by larger vertical ones. 

The centre console has also been tweaked a little as it now gets an additional cup holder, and the wireless phone charger has been moved behind the gear shifter. 

Other than these changes, the only other major change is the touchscreen, which is now a larger 11.2-inch unit. Here, you will also notice that the chrome strip has been extended under the infotainment system.

Features & Safety

Apart from the 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, it also gets a digital driver’s display, a heads-up display, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, multiple zones of climate control, a Bowers and Wilkins sound system, and a wireless phone charger.

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In terms of safety, the Volvo XC90 offers multiple airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), a 360-degree camera, and driver assistance systems such as lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and autonomous emergency braking.

Powertrain & Ride

Globally, the new XC90 gets a 455 PS 2-litre turbo-petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid setup, and a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine with a mild-hybrid setup that can be had in two stages of tune – 250 PS and 300 PS. While the engine options remain the same as before, Volvo has made the mild-hybrid powertrains more fuel efficient.

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The plug-in hybrid version of the XC90 comes with a 18.8 kWh battery pack that gives the SUV an EV-only range of 70 km, and this setup gives it a range of 800 km with a full tank of fuel.

In India, the current XC90 comes only with the 250 PS mild-hybrid powertrain, and the same powertrain is expected with the facelift as well. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and power is delivered to all four wheels.

In terms of ride quality, Volvo has changed the suspension setup of the XC90 as standard, which the carmaker claims will provide a more comfortable ride. And, the air suspension is still being offered with the facelift as an optional extra.

Expected Price & Rivals

The current Volvo XC90 is priced at Rs 1.01 crore (ex-showroom), and the facelift is expected to carry a price premium over this. It can be launched in India sometime next year, and it will continue to rival the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X5, Audi Q7, and Range Rover Velar.