Road test: New Volvo XC90 D5 AWD

Few new cars were as eagerly awaited in London as Volvo’s new XC90; there are parts of the capital where its predecessor, unveiled in 2002, has long been a firm family favourite.

We reported in March how, at launch, the newcomer was highly convincing, with sharp new looks, a vastly improved cabin and a raft of advanced safety equipment. But how does it stand up on a long family journey — the type of trip it’s built for? We clocked up 2,000 miles to find out and came away impressed.

What first hits you is the sheer size; it’s longer, lower and wider, and certainly feels larger in town. The ride feels firmer than in the older model, translating into neater handling on faster roads, with less roll. Within reason, the more heavily loaded the better the ride.

As a motorway cruiser, it’s in its element; smooth and refined to the extent that the engine is inaudible. There is, however, some wind noise from the mirrors that intrudes slightly, along with a “knocking” noise from the driver’s wiper.

All engines are now two-litre four-cylinder affairs and the 222bhp D5 performs very well, delivering fast acceleration and tireless all-day high speed for trans-continental journeys. The diesel engine sounds a tad harsh at lower speeds, however, and — as with the auto in the old model — the gearbox is occasionally slow to respond when you need a quick down-change.