FIRST LOOK
2020 Volvo XC90
BANFF, ALTA. Heading into 2020, the Volvo XC90 gets updates in all key areas. The new concave grille, reworked front and rear bumpers with integrated tailpipes, and smarter 19-inch wheels, along with standard roof rails and new paint colours, give the outside a richer look.
Inside, the instrumentation uses a configurable 12.3-inch screen, and there is a classy new six-seat mode where the middle bench seat makes way for two comfortable bucket seats. The side benefit is the space between the middle seats gives easier access to the roomy third row.
More importantly, the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid gets a larger 11.6-kWh lithium-ion battery, giving it a longer electric-only driving range. The T8’s other key improvement is a new brake system. The hydraulic pump has been replaced with a vacuum booster that gives the pedal a more natural feel.
What doesn’t change is the poise the XC90 delivers when driving through the Rockies. The powerful 400-horsepower hybrid powertrain, and the ability to tailor it according to the driver’s needs, make it both powerful and frugal.
The optional air suspension and electronically controlled dampers do a very good job of isolating the passengers from the rigours of a rough road without sacrificing handling.
Body roll is limited to a few degrees, the adjustable steering has just the right weight across the operating range, and it has the passing power you need. The XC90 T8 runs from rest to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, which for a full-sized SUV is decidedly decent.
While individual changes to the 2020 XC90 are small, together they make for a better vehicle.