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2020 Volvo XC90 is a slicker, safer Swedish SUV

A mild facelift and a slew of new safety tech and cabin options makes a compelling luxury SUV even more so.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
2020 Volvo XC90
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If it ain't broke, just fiddle with it a bit. The 2020 XC90 gets a slight visual update, along with new safety gear.

2020 Volvo XC90 Inscription
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Volvo's comeback has been led by the XC90, the first of the company's new-generation models.

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An early-morning misty mountain hop in an XC90 is a very fine thing indeed.

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Inscription trim models like those seen here are now the most luxurious XC90 model available, as the six-figure, limo-like XC90 Excellence has been discontinued.

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Priced from $48,350 (plus $995 destination) for base T5 FWD models, the XC90 can also be far costlier. My $86,990-as-delivered T8 E-AWD Inscription tester stands as ample proof.

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Banff, Alberta is as beautiful and upscale as you'd imagine. 

The XC90 felt right at home.

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The XC90 delivers a pleasingly refined ride.

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A haptic feedback steering wheel is one of several new safety technologies for 2020.

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A new six-seat configuration is optional but does have its drawbacks.

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The XC90 T8's crystal shifter has been redesigned, unfortunately, it still requires a bizarre double tap to get from Park to Drive.

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A new woolen fabric is a nice alternative to traditional leather.

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You can spot the 2020 model by its newly concave grille.

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High-mounted taillamps have become all the rage since the original XC90.

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Keep clicking or scrolling for more images of the 2020 Volvo XC90 in both Inscription and R-Design flavors.

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