This is the rather gorgeous new hybrid Volvo XC90

It was already a cool, handsome thing. Now Volvo’s made it cooler and more handsome via a sweeping update that correctly takes cues from its fully electric sibling. Welcome to your next family SUV, the new-for-2024 Volvo XC90.

An update of the second-generation car – now 10 years old – rather than an entirely new generation, Volvo has nevertheless injected its successful SUV with more tech and a bit of Thor.

That being, ‘Thor’s hammer’, which is how Volvo describes the dandy new headlights, sitting on a redesigned front that mirrors the face of the new EX90. The grille’s dandier too, while the side air intakes and lower portion of the grille have all been given a once over.

It’s the same car overall and at the back, but the exterior rework is said to reflect Volvo’s “ongoing transition toward full electrification”. Which means Volvo has once again smuggled electrons on board each version of the new car.

Which mirrors the old car. So there’s the monster T8 full plug-in hybrid that matches a 2.0-litre Very Turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine to an 18.8kWh battery and electric motor for 449bhp, 0-62mph in 5.4s and claimed economy of 188mpg. In this car, you’ll be able to travel just under 44 miles on electrons alone.

Don’t need such haste? There are the mild-hybrid B5 and B6 XC90s, that get a 48V battery and integrated starter/generator – the former makes 247 horsies, the latter (which we likely won’t get in the UK) just under 300. All are 4WD, and all get eight-speed autos.

All also get seven seats too. And accompanying the front two sits a brand new larger 11.2in central touchscreen featuring 21 per cent more pixel density than the outgoing car. Don’t deny you’re not all here for pixel densities.

It’s been thoroughly overhauled, this 11.2in touchscreen, so that all the most ‘common’ apps – maps, media, phone etc – are all on the home screen. Just like in Volvo’s EVs. That sits in a mildly tweaked dashboard and cabin using plenty of recycled materials.

Volvo reckons it’s more comfortable inside too, thanks to extra insulation for less NVH, and better suspension. The dampers can now adapt individually to the road surface for better stability and comfort, while if you spec the optional air suspension, you get yet more active-ness, via a chassis that monitors the car, road and driver 500 times per second. That’s… many.

“Put together, the XC90 and its fully electric EX90 sibling provide customers with the options that suit them best and equip us with a balanced portfolio as we continue to transition towards full electrification,” said Volvo boss Jim Rowan.

Ah yes, you cry, why bother updating a ten-year-old combustion-engined SUV when there’s a shiny new electric one? Because Volvo admits the “premium fully electric market” is still developing, and plug-in hybrids are therefore necessary for it to sell cars and make money in the meantime.

Considering it now looks cooler and more handsome than before, we suspect it won’t have a problem shifting these.