As far as turnarounds go, Volvo is surely one of the best examples in the automotive industry.
When it was acquired by Geely in 2010, many were concerned about its future. Yet, six years on, the Chinese have proven that they had a plan to transform the Swedish automaker into a serious competitor in the premium segment.
The XC90 is a prime example of that. While its predecessor was an also-run, and certainly inferior to the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the new one is a huge leap forward in all aspects.
Its clean, subdued design, top-notch quality and comfort have made it very popular with buyers. In range-topping T8 Twin Engine guise, it utilizes a plug-in hybrid set up comprising a turbocharged and supercharged four cylinder and with two electric motors, for a total combined output of 407 HP, while offering a 26-mile (48 km) all-electric range and emitting just 49 gr of CO2 per km on average.
Not bad for a full-size luxury SUV that can seat up to seven and, at the same time, sprints from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in just 5.3 seconds. But is it so good that one would take it over the vaunted Range Rover? This reviewer, at least, sure thinks as much.