An XC-ellent Ride

With a stark shift in design, the latest Volvo XC90 has a more appealing and commanding presence, plus is an extremely smooth and safe drive

- AARON PEREIRA

Among carmakers, there’s one brand that has made a magnificent comeback. Having had an illustrious past, with a renowned reputation of having created among the safest cars in existence: Volvo. Perhaps one of the reasons for the brand’s decline was that, although safe and reliable, it lacked cutting-edge and dynamic designs, which other automakers seemed to have had down pat.

However, the Swedish brand is now back on track and recapture the market, with its stylish, safe and tough cars gaining a thunderous reception among autophiles and car buyers who prioritize safety And if it’s safety you’re going after, SUVs are known for giving you a slight advantage on the road. Aside from being more conspicuous and generally having a stronger frame, it allows you a better vantage point as you remain perched slightly higher than other mere mortals below, in their sedans.

Enter the Volvo XC90, the company’s top-of-the-line fl agship and one of its best-selling models—having sold over 300,000 units worldwide, and counting. The refreshed SUV offers subtle upgrades to the original award-winning exterior design, such as new wheels, exterior colours and a modern new grill, while the superlative and award-winning interior design remains in place.

The XC90 truly was a sight to behold the day I picked it up for a test drive. Despite it being the first-ever Volvo I would be handling, I told the friendly representative that I’d prefer not to have a rundown on the mechanics and technology that’s fitted into the vehicle; simply because I wanted to test the entire user experience and find out if it’s easy enough to comprehend for most. (It is.)