In the past, Volvo’s reputation was built on safety above style. So much so that it almost became a mnemonic for ‘soccer moms’ in suburbia. But somewhere along the line, Volvo carved out a new place for itself, based on flawless design aesthetics while still holding up its reputation for reliability.

And the XC90 is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the new Volvo. With its minimalist design aesthetic and smart luxury experience, there’s one word to describe Volvo’s luxury SUV: smooth. The ride, the steering, the interior – you name it – it’s all smooth sailing.

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The T6 AWD that we tested out boasts high-performance with its 310hp/400Nm petrol powertrain and provides excellent driving dynamics without compromising on efficiency. Combined super-charger/turbo technology, responsive all-wheel drive, and smooth 8-speed Geartronic™ truly puts you in control of your drive.

On The Road with Pilot Assist

Testing Volvo’s driver assistance features – Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control – was a real treat. The adaptive cruise control was on point with smooth acceleration and braking.

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The system also reacted to changing road conditions and adjusted the speed accordingly. Using map data from the car’s navigation system, the XC90 identified hills and curves ahead and adapted the speed to help optimise comfort and safety. Hence, you can easily maneuver through tight turns or take swooping corners with poise.

A personal favourite was the head-up display that projects driver information (for instance, driver speed) at a comfortable view distance. It looks like the graphics hover in front of the car, which allows you to stay informed without taking your eyes off the road.

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Every XC90 comes with a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, following distance indicator, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, driver attention monitoring, and speed limit recognition.

You also get forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, oncoming collision mitigation, and pedestrian, cyclist, and large animal detection. Some of those features make up the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving function.

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As expected, this makes driving not only safe and easy but gives the driver a complete sense of relaxed well-being.

Quality Interiors

Inside the XC90, the Scandinavian-modern design is visually beautiful with high-quality execution. Details such as the exclusive metal-finish air vents, and carefully selected materials accentuate the authentic, sustainable nature of luxury in the XC90.

Decor trim options include Dark Driftwood and Black Walnut – beautiful wood finishes with a natural, contemporary appearance.

The other wow factor comes from the all-new infotainment system which resides in a responsive  9-inch centre display with touch screen. Its graphics are stylish, resolution high and menus remarkably intuitive. You can swipe, pinch and zoom with smooth ease.

To complete the Scandinavian luxury SUV experience, the Bowers & Wilkins high-end audio system will indulge your senses with crisp sound that brings you even closer to the music.

Final Verdict

The T6 AWD, which has standard all-wheel drive is the optimal mixture of price, performance, and features. It stands out among luxury midsize SUVs for its nearly unrivaled interior quality and safety features. Tons of cargo and passenger space make it a great choice for families, and good fuel economy means the XC90 is a capable commuting partner as well.

Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD) LLC are the authorized distributors for Volvo in Oman.