WHAT SHE SAID: Volvo XC90 rocks cover version of Hollies classic

British soft rock band the Hollies had a major hit in 1974 with The air that I breathe. Almost half a century later, this classic is the perfect theme song for the updated Volvo XC90.

Like a modified version that was used in rooibos tea television advert ages ago, the lyrics need a slight tweak too to the tune: “Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe … and my Volvo XC90.”

I know it might – quite ironically – sound as though I’m suffering from oxygen deprivation, but just hear me out. The Swedish carmaker’s updated flagship SUV features a new CleanZone system that improves the quality of the air inside the cabin.

This extraordinary technology has a sensor that measures and cleans pollution particles smaller than 100 times a human hair. That is seriously small and yet that is what we inhale on a daily basis in Johannesburg.

What is even better, the Volvo XC90 can pre-clean the air inside before entering by using the Volvo app. Many top-end cars nowadays allow you to activate heating and cooling functions remotely. But the Volvo XC90 goes one step further by clearing the air so to speak before facing you.

The clean air did come at a premium in our test unit. It is part of the Lounge Pack which, at R30 000 extra, also gets you a panoramic sunroof and superb Bowers & Wilkins Premium Sound System.

The air supply – I promise to stop the musical puns – actually isn’t the biggest change in the updated Volvo XC90. I just figured it really rocked… Sorry, I just can’t help myself now, can I?

The biggest change to the Volvo XC90 has been under the bonnet, where two mild-hybrid petrol engines in the B5 and B6 has replaced the old familiar T5 and T6 petrol-only models. The mild-hybrid derivatives should not be confused with the T8 plug-in hybrid.

I know all these different types of powertrains really gets complicated, but there is a very easy way to differentiate the two in the Volvo XC90 range.

As the plug-in hybrid’s name suggests, you need to plug it into an external power source to charge the battery. You are spared all that hassle of having to worry about loadshedding schedules with the mild-hybrid, as it involves no cables whatsoever.

ALSO READ: WHAT SHE SAID: Electric Mini Cooper is shockingly addictive

The B6 we had on test recovers brake energy which is used to charge a 48-volt battery. In turn, an integrated starter generator then uses this energy to support the combustion engine. No Eskom, no worries!

The engine sends a maximum of 220 kW of power and 420 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an updated eight-speed Geartronic gearbox which Volvo says responds much faster than before. It can reach 100 km/h from a standstill in a very respectable 6.7 seconds.

Maybe it was a combination of all this fast shifting and electrical currents that made me enjoy the Volvo XC90 so much that I used all of 16.1 litres of petrol per 100 km over the course of 396 km.

That is way off the claimed 7.4 L/100 km, but I’ll shamelessly admit that I chased the 6.7 seconds more than I did the 7.4 litres…

The Volvo XC90 is as stylish, plush and comfortable as ever with the tweaks making it more desirable than ever.

You can argue that R1 338 400 for the B6 R-Design we had on test, which worked out close to R1.5-million after extras, is a stiff price to pay. But then again, just like at my boutiques on the upper level of Mall of Africa, true style does not come cheap.

For more information on the Volvo XC90, click here.