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2020 Volvo XC90 Inscription Interior Driveway Test | A lesson in minimalist luxury

We tend to love Volvo interiors. They’re beautiful, simple, inviting and a relaxing place to spend time in. Designers needed to get it right, too, because Volvo has applied the same styling and design language to every vehicle in its lineup. WeÂ’re focusing on the flagship today: the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription. Since our tester is the Inscription trim, that means itÂ’s the most luxurious version of the bunch (Momentum and R-Line are the two others). Some highlights include perforated Nappa leather seats, a “tailored dashboard,” Gray Ash Wood trim inlays and the Orrefors crystal shift knob.  Our car had the Charcoal interior scheme to play along nicely with the trim. The contrast between the light wood trim and gray stitching with the black leather is pleasing to the eye. Volvo uses a gratuitous but not overwhelming amount of piano black trim to bring some shine to the interior. ItÂ’s nice to see and touch on the buttons, but gets dirty quickly around the flat gear lever area where dust tends to collect. Much of the dash is left blank in a nod to minimalism. WeÂ’re left with a large nine-inch touchscreen oriented vertically in the center, just like every other Volvo on sale today. This is flanked by the center air vents. ThereÂ’s little to no styling going on with the vents, which seems like a missed opportunity. Regardless, we dig the layered and nicely-stitched dash that comes with the Inscription model. Also nestled into the dash is this crossoverÂ’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. ItÂ’s basic in its visuals, but plenty effective at conveying important car information. We like the more vibrant and customizable clusters from Mercedes-Benz and Audi a lot, but this one gets the job done and it isnÂ’t distracting in the least bit. Volvo has your back when it comes to comfort. Our tester has the Luxury Package, so itÂ’s equipped with massaging front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. Additionally, Volvo finishes the headliner in Nubuck, and the grab handles and visors get leather. Unlike everybody else, Volvo allows you to choose between three levels of heat for the steering wheel. ItÂ’s noticeable to our hands, and is great when you want to add a little heat into your fingers without being scalded. As for the massage, itÂ’s backrest only. We wish it was back and bottom, but at least the programs available for your back are soothing.

5 thoughts about the 2025 Volvo EX30

Well this is a little awkward. When we drove the 2025 Volvo EX30 at the Midwest Automotive Meida Association (MAMA) Spring Rally, it was destined to arrive this year at Volvo’s new entry-level electric car. Then the U.S. government slapped huge tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles. The EX30 is currently built in Chengdu, so Volvo decided to push the on-sale date back to next year when production can begin in Ghent, Belgium, likely making the American-market EX30 a 2026 model. So, the question here isnÂ’t should you buy, but rather, will it be worth the wait? We think so. ItÂ’s a bit small, and cost-cutting has resulted in some ergonomic qualms, but the EX30 looks and drives like a premium small crossover that should carry a less-than-premium price tag. Make sure to look closely at the details Volvo really hit it out of the park with the EX30Â’s design. It does minimalism almost entirely right. At first glance, itÂ’s simple at every turn; a basic box that doesnÂ’t even have a grille. Look closer, though, and you start noticing the interesting and even exciting details. The debossed Volvo insignia up front; the panel gap that curves in the exact same way as the wheel wells; all the linework in the head and taillights. And thatÂ’s just the start. The inside follows the same philosophy. Although it looks a bit basic at first glance, what with the open dash and sole center screen, you eventually notice the actual metal door handles that are extensions of the door trim and the various fascinating materials. That includes the speckled recycled plastic in my test vehicle or the woven fabric style that Road Test Editor Zac Palmer experienced in Sweden. There are little strakes here and there to add some visual interest, and the translucent trim in the vents are another great touch. It all makes the EX30 feel more fun, but also more premium, than its anticipated low price would suggest. Volvo seems to have cheaped out on controls What is frustrating, though, is that Volvo seems to have followed the Tesla, and to a lesser extent VW, model of lowering costs. That center screen handles everything. And yes, that includes the instrumentation. Now, it is something that you can get used to, but then there a lot of less-than-ideal things in life you can get used to. Acclimation does not equal good. Having your speed and other critical info directly in front of you is still superior, be it a head-up display or just a small, supplemental display like even VW provides.

Volvo Cars laying off 1,300 as it steps up cost cuts

Volvo Cars will lay off around 1,300 office-based employees in Sweden as it steps up cost cutting, the Sweden-based automaker said on Thursday. While an earlier efficiency drive had begun to show results, with Volvo this week reporting a strong first quarter, more efficiency was needed, CEO Jim Rowan said in a statement. "Economic headwinds, increased raw material prices and increased competition are likely to remain a challenge to our industry for some time," he said. The 1,300 positions equate to 6% of Volvo Cars' workforce in Sweden. Rowan told Reuters the group did not yet know how much it would save from the new measures. "We're still working the details through on that," he said in an interview. The company said it had issued redundancy notices for 1,100 employees, while the remaining 200 white-collar positions would be identified following a review of the business across Sweden. It said it also expected to cut jobs and reduce costs across its global operations in the coming months, including its consultancies. Rowan said he could not yet specify where those jobs would be cut, but that focus would primarily remain on office-based positions. "We sell in over 80 countries or so worldwide, so I think there's opportunities for us to become more efficient across the entire network," he told Reuters. Volvo Cars shares were down 3.87% at 0848 GMT.   Earnings/Financials Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Volvo SUV Luxury