IT could be considered one of the grand-daddies of the big SUV order. But there's little old-fashioned or even staid about the current Volvo XC-90, especially in T8 Plug-in Hybrid form, as we can testify.

Volvo has the admirable quality of avoiding gimmicky changes, and sticking with a good design ⦠hence the XC-90 has been around for more than two decades and is still only on its second generation.

Of course, along the way there have been numerous tweaks and improvements, the latest being smarter, more contemporary cabin, improved suspension and easier-to-manage touchscreen.

In T8 Plug-in Hybrid guise it packs serious clout, but this isn't the muscle-bound off-roader or cross-country racer of the SUV world - more of a hushed, high-rider express that delivers its occupants relaxed and refreshed after a drama-free journey.

But there's no escaping the bare facts that it will accelerate to 62mph in less than six seconds, putting it in the properly quick class.

Power is derived from the 306bhp four cylinder petrol engine matched to a 143bhp electric motor, so you have a substantial 455bhp to call on. Top speed, though, is restricted to 112mph as in all Volvo models.

With permanent four-wheel-drive, it's easy get the power down even in greasy conditions. An eight-speed automatic transmission looks after the gearing and works unobtrusively and smoothly.

In fact, smooth is a byword in the XC-90's vocabulary with supple, well-judged suspension that evens out poor surfaces yet refuses to allow the tall body to lean too much during enthusiastic cornering, and noise levels that rarely rise above a whisper.

The cabin itself is attractively appointed and easily stands comparison with the best that Germany has to offer. Muted shades and soft-touch materials make life on the move very easy and pleasant. The front seats, electrically operated, are deep and supportive and head and legroom all round is abundant.

There are ample bins, boxes and door pockets for the usual clutter and several flat surfaces that make stopping for a picnic easy. It goes almost without saying that the boot is massive. It holds no less than 640litres of luggage when used as a five-seater. And even around 300litres with the final row of seats in position.

The top line Ultra version we drove came with opening panoramic glass roof which was a boon in bright spring weather. Even when fully open, little wind noise was created below 60mph. We did, however, find that the button that opens it frequently gets mistaken with the interior light switchâ¦causing unnecessary illumination.

As usual, it's best to ignore the official fuel consumption of plug-ins. The XC-60's is given as 176.3mpg. In reality, it's quite possible to achieve close to the 50mpg mark, which remains pretty impressive for such a large, luxurious SUV.