The enforced lockdown has given us all time to rethink, regroup and reapply our strategies for a better future. Too philosophical? Well, it is true, even for automakers. Volvo Auto India has utilised the snooze period to make some changes, but only to the XC90 range. The first one was the axing of the Excellence Lounge variant, which went on sale only in September 2019. At Rs 1.42 crore without taxes, it claimed the throne as Volvo’s flagship offering in India.

Honestly, not many would miss that version. Why? Because not many could have afforded it! The second change, however, is a constructive one. The refreshed XC90, which broke cover in February 2019, has finally found space on Volvo’s India website. It is available in three derivatives – two diesel and one petrol (this is the third change).

Falling in the diesel category are the D5 Momentum and the D5 Inscription. Surprisingly, both those variants cost the same as before, with the former priced at Rs 80.9 lakh and the latter at Rs 87.9 lakh. Both pack the same 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel motor which generates 232bhp/480Nm, while an 8-speed automatic handles transmission duties. For good measure, there’s an all-wheel-drive system in place as well.

The third variant is the T8 Inscription, which is a plug-in hybrid. In the pre-facelift form, the XC90 had a dual-engine setup only in the Excellence form. Now, however, we have two. At a price tag of Rs 96.65 lakh, the XC90 T8 Inscription offers the practicality of a seven-seater and the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid setup. Propulsion comes from the combination of a supercharged, and turbocharged, 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. The maximum system output is 401bhp/640Nm.

In terms of features, all XC90 variants come with four-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, powered front seats with memory function, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, auto-dimming IRVM, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid and a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Inscription versions get additional gizmos such as heating and massage functions for seats, power-folding rear headrests, a 360-degree camera, a 1,400-watt Bowers and Wilkins sound system with 19 speakers and Park Assist Pilot.

In India, the Volvo XC90 rivals the likes of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Audi Q7 (facelift coming soon). That said, none of the Germans offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Would you pick the Swedish SUV over others?