Currently reading: Next-gen Volvo XC90 interior revealed

Ground-breaking, high-class interior of Swedish firm’s all-new SUV revealed ahead of official debut

Volvo has shown off the luxurious seven-seat interior of its new XC90 three months ahead of the car’s official debut in August in the run-up to the Paris motor show

Most striking about the clean, modern-looking interior of the big SUV is the way Volvo has almost completely done away with traditional buttons on the centre console, instead placing most of the functions and displays on a large central touchscreen.

The new system is “designed to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel as much as possible”, according to Volvo design chief Thomas Ingenlath. Volvo claims that with the new system it has “completely reconceived the way drivers operate their cars”.

Other key information is shown on a digital instrument cluster for the driver, plus a head-up display. Most interior functions can also be carried out by “state-of-the-art” voice recognition technology and thumb controls on the steering wheel.

Volvo speaks of extensive connectivity options for the XC90, with the car connected to a cloud internet storage system for access to apps which include the ability for the car to suggest a service appointment at a local Volvo dealer. Full iPhone and iPad integration is offered through Apple’s new CarPlay system.

The interior takes inspiration from all things Swedish. Volvo claims it is a “design that is clean, beautiful and crafted from the finest materials” and punctuated by “jewel details”. Materials include soft leather, quality woods and metals and diamond-cut controls for the reduced switchgear.

The rearmost five seats can all be folded and moved individually and access to the third row is best in class, according to Volvo. Passengers up to 170cm tall will be comfortable in the third row, with each passenger getting their own storage options. A four-zone climate control system is also offered.

The XC90, due on sale in the UK early next year, is the first Volvo to be based on the firm’s new modular SPA platform that will underpin every Volvo from the Volvo S60 up. Engines will be drawn from the firm’s new Drive-E engine range.

Read our first ride feature on Volvo's upcoming XC90.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

Add a comment…
JOHN T SHEA 12 July 2014

SLIDE-FORWARD CENTRAL SEAT AWOL?

The old model had an ingenious system whereby one could mount a child seat on the central seat, remove the rear of the centre console and slide forward the central seat so that the kid was within easy reach of the front passenger. That seems to be gone now.
Ski Kid 19 June 2014

Seats

The front seats look very sumptuous, I know what the other guy meant the rear seats are not three individual seats, like a Discovery or XC90 it includes the arm rest ,and the middle seats in most cars like this new one are not really proper seats, they carry the armrest and the base usually has a chunk taken out for the seat belts.Very hard and uncomfortable.
Yep the designers usually forget about the third person,they argue it is seven seats, oh is it ! certainly not ,when you have the boot full of suitcases.
Not sure about the design , it may look better in the flesh ,but leaves me somewhat wanting at present.
JOHN T SHEA 31 May 2014

SWEDES HAVE 3 EYES AND 3 HANDS?

If Thomas Ingenlath can operate a touchscreen while keeping his eyes on the road and his hands on the wheel he must have at least three of each.
Safari 8 June 2014

Mobiles

Funny isn't it how people with children are so selective in what they choose is safe and not safe. Like for instance using their mobile phones whilst driving.... Of course on somewhere like this website no-ones going to admit it are they??? But I see it... Lorry drivers, van drivers oh and of course lots of people with children in the car as well and especially 4x4 drivers! Which astonishes me because I would have thought most of these new cars have hands free....
Then there are the parents who drive around at 80mph down a fast country road with children on board - turning around to tell them to behave themselves - oohh watch that Deer that has just jumped out the woods.......

So I really do think that operating a touchscreen or voice-control on a vehicle will be probably one of the least dangerous operations a parent has to do whilst on the road.