VOLVO'S new XC60 mid-sized premium SUV is a very well-connected car.

In keeping with its big brother 90 series cars, the XC60 benefits from Sensus, a new era in infotainment and connectivity.

Central to the system is an innovative nine-inch touchscreen in a portrait, rather than landscape configuration, so that it is more like a smartphone or an i-pad than a typical car control screen.

Sensus features a pinch and swipe control functionality and can work even if the driver is wearing gloves.

A sophisticated voice-control system is designed to understand more than 300 naturally spoken instructions or popular phrases.

Using this function you can tell the system to alter the cabin temperature, input an address on the sat nav or play music by a particular artist or composer.

It also enables the driver to access a wide range of cloud-based apps.

These allow the driver to find suitable parking, check the weather at specific locations and much more. Because they use over-the-air updates, these apps are always up to date.

The importance of these features on the second-generation XC60 cannot be underestimated.

Many new car buyers are choosing models which are not just good to drive, have easy running costs or beautiful styling - they want a set of wheels that gives theultimate inconnected driving and in this respect, and many others, the XC60 delivers without doubt.

It is the first of the mid-range 60 Series Volvos to showcase the company's new design language and to be built on its advanced Scalable Product Architecture.

And again appealing to the senses of the driver, the interior combines elegant Scandinavian design, premium materials and craftsmanship to create an environment which is restful, yet dynamic.

It never ceases to amaze me how Volvo has bounced back with such force from near oblivion. Now owned by the Chinese auto giant Geely, it has returned with a series of models that are just as Scandinavian in outlook than the ones of classic years.

As can be expected of Volvo it is high on safety and features Steer Assist, a technology that can automatically apply the steering or provide additional steering input to help avoid a potential collision.

Built in Gothenburg, Sweden, the XC60 comes with all-wheel-drive and an automatic gearbox.

The engines are all Volvo's own DRIVE-E units which offer exceptional power and efficiency.

The range comprises D4 and D5 diesels, a T5 petrol and a soon to arrive T8 petrol-electric Twin Engine plug-in hybrid.

Power ranges from 190 to 407 bhp with CO2 emissions from as little as 49/g/km for the plug-in hybrid.

At launch my drive of the day was a D4 Momentum which is expected to be one of the big sellers.

At £37,205 this is a fearsome contender for the mid-sized premium SUV laurels.

Its 190bhp diesel is surprisingly accelerative and the eight-speed auto transmission makes motoring a smooth, seamless experience.

With a top speed of 127mph and a zero to 60mph sprint of 8.4 seconds, it ticks the sporty box and a combined mpg of 55.4 makes it very easy on the pocket.

What stood out was the vehicle's amazing array of safety features. These include Oncoming Lane Mitigation which provides steering assistance if you unwittingly veer out of your lane. And the vehicle even tells you to brake if you are approaching a hazard.

Altogether a very special Volvo and one which demonstrates that German brands and Britain's Jaguar have not got it all their own way in the world of mid-sized SUVs.