Smooth operator
The refreshed Volvo Xc90 T8 Inscription Plus was our ride for a week as we drove it outstation and around the capital
Volvo's best-selling XC90 has been updated recently amid the arrival of new entrants into the local luxury sport utility vehicle segment. We took opportunity to check out this cool Swede during an outing in Janda Baik, Pahang.
VOLVO’S XC90 luxurt sports utility vehicle (SUV) has been refreshed in terms of design and added gusto. The XC90 is offered in three variants: the T5 Momentum, T8 Twin Engine Inscription and the T8 Twin Engine Inscription Plus, priced at RM373,888, RM399,888 and RM409,888 respectively. All prices are on-the-road without insurance.
The T5 features a turbocharged 2.0L engine only while the T8 Inscription and Inscription Plus comes with a hybrid electric powertrain - the new 11.6kWh lithium-ion Hybrid Battery with longer electric drive range of 50km - plus the 2.0L engine is both supercharged and turbocharged.
As a result, both the T8 variants have significantly more power with 407hp and 640Nm of torque while the T5 outputs 254hp and 350Nm of torque.
All variants are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Members of the media were recently treated with a drive with the top-specced T8 Inscription Plus for a getaway from the city to the lush forests of Janda Baik, Pahang where we spent the night at Tiarasa Escapes Glamping Resort.
We spent more time with the T8 Inscription after that and drove the car up north to Ipoh, Perak for the weekend.
The distinguishable feature of the refreshed Volvo XC90 is the grille. Whereas before the vertical slats were flat, it’s now curved inward with a redesigned lower bumper as well.
Also new inside the T8 is a newly designed Orrefors crystal gear lever.
The top-of-the-range T8 Inscription Plus comes with the Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound Audio System which has 19 speakers.
This is the main difference between the T8 Inscription and Inscription Plus and well worth the extra RM10K as it offers a crisp and dynamic audio experience.
For classical music lovers especially, the Bowers and Wilkins sound system will enthrall one’s aural senses with its rich symphonic reproduction.
The cabin of the T8 is sound-proofed to keep external sounds out to give its occupants a quiet and relaxing environment to either enjoy the music or conversation.
It is also very comfortable with its bolstered seats covered in Nappa leather and the air-conditioned keeps everyone cool as there are air vents on the B and C pillars for the rear passengers.
Unlike other vehicles, the XC90 offers something a little different when starting the engine as it is a beautifully knurled twist knob instead of a push button located on the centre console. Just twist it to the right to start and again to switch it off.
The cabin is also decorated with Walnut wood inlay which gives off a homely and relaxed surrounding.
The combination of the seats, sound proofing, premium materials and the four corner air suspension makes for a calm and contented space which helps reduce fatigue for outstation drives.
The drive up to Janda Baik was relatively a breeze as we made our way out of the city to the winding stretch of highway and finally unto the narrow and even windier road to our destination. For a large vehicle, it doesn’t feel cumbersome to drive. Instead it
was easy to drive and nimble too on and handles well around bends and corners of the B-roads.
Power is a non-issue with the XC90 what with the high amount of torque available and driving enthusiastically was easily done once the throttle was opened up.
This meant that we had used up a bit of petrol on the way there but surprisingly, on the way back and driving with a light foot it didn’t make a dent at all.
This was also evident when we took a longer drive to Ipoh and we drove there and back to Kuala Lumpur with plenty of fuel left.
The XC90 though, is big on safety and with its long list of safety features such as collision avoidance and mitigation includtraffic, ing when reversing into blind spot information system, lane keeping assist, 360 degree camera, it is a vehicle determined to keep you and your occupants safe at all costs and this would be the main reason for acquiring the XC90.
The XC90 continues its legacy of safety while adding luxurious appointments in the T8 Inscription Plus and the power and excitewell-heeled ment it offers makes it a luxury SUV.