Volvo XC90 SUV gets tech updates for 2017 model year

Not content with the XC90 luxury SUV winning our 2015 Car of the Year gong, Volvo has announced a series of small updates to the XC90 for the 2017 model year. It gets a more advanced autonomous driving system, plus upgrades to the touchscreen control system.

For the most part, the additions are new tech that debuts in the new S90 saloon, including a more advanced semi-autonomous driving system. Called Pilot Assist II, it can accelerate, steer and brake the car at speeds of up to 80mph with limited driver intervention, that's up from 30mph in the current car.

At the same time, the Swedish brand has updated its suite of active safety tech to include a Run-off Road Mitigation system, which detects when control is lost on the steering wheel and recorrects your line. Volvo says it's designed to remove the single-biggest cause of accidents: sudden loss of wheel control at high speed.

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The Large Animal Detection feature, first tested late last year, has now been added across XC90 models, too. Inside, Volvo's 'Sensus' portrait touchscreen system gets new apps, including Spotify and Park and Pay.

A 'Volvo On Call' smartwatch and smartphone app has been added, allowing you to control various in-car features from your handset. It includes pre-heating and cooling, more advanced voice control and send-to-car navigation.

A new 'PowerPulse' function has been added to D5 diesel models, using compressed air to spool up the turbos instantly and give better response. A new 'CleanZone' air filtration system rounds of the 2017 updates.

There's no indication yet of price changes, but expect order books for the 2017 XC90s to open later in the year.

Read more about the new Volvo V90 estate here...