Volvo XC90 T6 2015 review

Volvo has moved the XC90 away from a soft-lined look to a squarer finish with a Tardis-like interior packed with high-tech life-savers.

If you bought the previous model XC90 and are thinking of upgrading to the all-new model, brace yourself for a shock. The cheapest ticket to Volvo's family-sized SUV is now about $90,000, $20,000 more than the previous model.

It's a bold move for a brand that has been stranded in the whitewash while its luxury rivals ride a wave of rapidly rising sales. At a time when Mercedes-Benz sales are up by more than a third year-to-date, the Swedish brand — now in Chinese hands — has seen a 20 per cent drop in sales.

Explore the 2015 Volvo XC90 range

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• Volvo XC90 2015 review

The extra bulk translates into a more spacious cabin

The good news is that a healthy injection of funds has created a Volvo that is more than capable of mixing it with the big boys at the top end of the SUV segment.

Design

Volvo has spent a considerable amount of time shedding its dowdy, "brick on wheels" image, with sleeker, softer lined sedans, hatches and wagons, but the XC90 is — dare we say it — a bit boxy. It's no 240 wagon, but it is definitely more square-jawed and big bummed than the model it replaces.

For those on the inside looking out that is good news. The extra bulk translates into a more spacious cabin, while clever packaging means the third row is now easier to access and more liveable for kids. And there's more good news. The cabin is one of the most attractive in the business. Elegant and understated, but with modern and intuitive technology, it is a welcoming mix of quality leather, tasteful woodgrain highlights and high-definition graphics.

The centre screen looks and works like an iPad, with pinch and swipe features to navigate the various menus. In front of the driver, there is a digital display in lieu of the normal speedo and tacho, with the ability to display navigation instructions.

The middle row slides and tilts, while the third row has air-vents, cupholders and covered storage bins. There's an integrated booster seat in the middle row.

About town

Volvo prides itself on safety firsts and the XC90 maintains the tradition. Prang this and you're a prime candidate for the next season of Australia's worst drivers.

The XC90 senses if you're about to turn into the path of oncoming traffic and slams on the brakes. It also keeps an eye out for cyclists and pedestrians and can stop on its own at lower speeds.

For shopping trips, there's a power tailgate, although if you want the back to open with a swipe of your foot you'll have to pay an extra $975. Front and rear sensors, auto parking and a reversing camera make parking easier, once again at extra cost.

Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear collision warnings add $1275, while a "bird's-eye view" camera is another $1750. A grocery bag holder? That's $200.

The XC90's turning circle is about on par with other large SUVs, while the T6 engine is reasonably quiet around town and has stop-start tech to save fuel.

On the road

The XC90 weighs in at almost two tonnes and its high centre of gravity means you can feel the weight shift through tighter corners.

It feels composed and predictable on the open road, though, with light but accurate steering. The cabin is well insulated from road noise, but the suspension can thump and jar over bigger bumps.

The XC90 is an impressive effort and well equipped to go up against the German heavyweights

Again, there is a vast array of driver aids to keep you on the tarmac — and protect you if you leave it. The XC90 can sense if it has left the road and will prime the safety gear for impact. But again, you have to pay for the best of the occupant protection gear. Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance cost another $2600.

Performance

A 2.0-litre four-cylinder hardly seems equipped for shifting two tonnes of metal but the turbocharged and supercharged engine feels pretty lively under acceleration. It gets a bit raucous in the upper reaches of the rev range but at cruising speed it feels quiet and refined.

The well-matched eight-speed automatic transmission helps to create smooth and rapid progress. The official fuel thirst is 8.5L/100km, impressive for a petrol engine in a big car. Around town, or driven enthusiastically, that figure is more likely to hover in the mid-teens.