AFTER 12 popular years, Volvo has finally replaced its evergreen XC90 SUV and the new car is a landmark model for the legendary Swedish car brand.

The all-new Volvo XC90 is a legend. Three-years in the making and part of a USD 11bn investment programme, the new car debuts the future design direction for the brand, incorporates clever new technologies and is underpinned by the all-new new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The exterior styling of the all-new Volvo XC90 is best described as different, yet familiar. The front design of the all-new Volvo XC90 SUV features a new family nose that will be rolled out in different forms in future models.

Firstly, there’s a new version of the front grille, with the more prominent iron mark made up of the iconic arrow, which is aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille.

Then there are the distinctive headlights, with their T-shaped DRL lights.

Boldly called “Thor’s Hammer”, they give real confidence to the front of the all-new Volvo XC90 and should do the same to the rest of the future Volvo range.

Other interesting features of the all-new Volvo XC90’s design include the curvy new bonnet design, distinctive beltline down the side, sharper rear haunches that connect with the stacked rear light clusters (which will also be mirrored in future Volvo designs) and wheel sizes up to 22 inches.

There’s a high-end, uncluttered, well-made feel to the interior of the all-new Volvo XC90.

The most striking feature of the dashboard is the Sensus tabletlike touch screen infotainment system, which controls most of the features of the car and as such the centre console is pleasingly button free.

Now a genuine seven-seater, the all-new Volvo XC90 is fitted with innovatively designed seats that free up interior space for passengers both in the second and third seat rows. The third row even offers class ­leading comfort for two passengers up to 170 cm tall.