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Volvo’s entry-level sedan has been redone from scratch, is lighter on its feet and gets the family face too. It’s more potent than it has ever been

- Agasti Kaulgi

Unorthodox. It’s the word that engineers and designers at Volvo seem to be taking very seriously. Most of its modern offerings – the XC90, V90 Cross Country or the S90 have had distinctive characteristics all around them. Some, with their exterior styling, others, with the way the cabin is dressed, and yet others, with the body style and the sort of utility they are built to offer. They’re all different in their own way. But is Volvo done with its spree of offering something that the Germans or the Brits haven’t thought of even in their wildest dreams? Or do the Swedes have yet another trick up their sleeve with their latest offering? Read on…

This segment has seen a lot of hit-and-miss offerings from global giants. The Merc C-Class is trying to please everyone, but in the bargain, has ended up being confused about its identity. The Jaguar XE has failed to entice crowds with its unadorned styling and the BMW 3 – in its current generation – has gone softer and has diluted its character of being the best drivers’ sedan of the lot. But Volvo has been patient with its proposition. It has stood in the corner and observed the rest struggle and fight. And once the dust has finally settled, it’s come out to show the world what it has been up to, while the rest of the Europeans have been at war.