IT'S been a long time coming, but the all-new Volvo XC90 has certainly been worth the wait.

I have to confess to being a big fan of the XC90 since it first made an appearance back in 2002, so it was with a mixed sense of excitement and trepidation that I awaited the new arrival.

A glimpse of the car at last year's Paris Motor Show quashed my fears slightly, but it's always difficult to form a solid opinion until you get to drive a car. And thankfully the latest XC90 lives up to all the hype.

Priced from £45,750 to £63,705 the car has a completely new design with much more streamlining and attention to detail. There is a host of state-of-the-art on-board technology with an extremely modern feel and there is also the introduction of the company's latest highly-efficient four cylinder Drive-E petrol and diesel engines to choose from.

For now all UK models will have all-wheel-drive, seven seats and eight-speed automatic gearboxes with two trim levels to select from - Momentum and Inscription - which both have very distinctive styling traits making them instantly recognisable. A third trim level called R-Design will be introduced at the end of the year.

And in a world where price-tags are often cranked up by a whole host of pricey optional extras, the Volvo XC90 is richly-equipped as standard. That said; there are six additional add-on options such as a Winter Pack or Family Pack that can be introduced if required.

Obviously first impressions are vitally important and the XC90 doesn't disappoint in the slightest with its gorgeous sculpted lines, a floating grille, smart alloys, roof rails, tinted windows, a bold and athletic stance plus fantastic light clusters that feature Thor hammer-effect LED lights at the front and 3D taillights - making the car easily recognisable from either end.

The interior is pure class and incorporates natural materials such as the finest soft leathers, crystal glass and Scandinavian wood. There is even a small Swedish flag sewn into the driver's seat as a gentle reminder of the car's heritage.

The instrumentation is all-new in its design and layout with a tablet-styled touchscreen that is easy to operate, fast and very efficient. There is a 19-speaker sound system, air vents that automatically close to prevent pollen coming in, a head-up display offering speed, navigation instructions, phone functions and road sign information. To be honest the list of creature comforts seems endless.

And as one would expect, safety specifications are incredibly comprehensive. In fact, Volvo claims the XC90 is the "safest Volvo they have ever made".

As well as the more instantly-recognisable features, an Intellisafe Pro Pack costing £1,500 introduces adaptive cruise control with distance alert, queue assist, lane keeping aid, blind spot information with cross-traffic alert and rear collision mitigation.

The D5 diesel model is likely to account for about 75 per cent of sales so that was our first test car in Inscription trim level priced at £61,380 which included more than £11k worth of optional extras and packs. This particular model can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 7.8 seconds and tops out at 137mph. According to official figures it can deliver combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg with carbon emissions of 149g/km.

The car looks stunning from any approach with a stylish and very modern stance. It seems less aggressive than the outgoing XC90 but still maintains its powerful footing.

The interior oozes class and thanks to the theatre-style seating along with the introduction of thinner seat backs there is ample room for two adults in the third row. And when extra carrying space is needed rows two and three can be quickly folded flat to the floor.

The instrumentation has been simplified to offer a clutter-free interior with all the on-board technology you could wish for. In fact, it's only when you get behind the wheel of the new XC90 that you realise just how dated its predecessor had become.

And when it comes to performance, the vehicle is an absolute dream to drive. The 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers ample power and acceleration and the gearbox is beautifully smooth and responsive.

The road-holding is excellent and the car feels more sure-footed than previous models meaning tight bends can be attacked and conquered with ease.

There is a little engine noise if pushed particularly hard, but other than that the car was a delight to drive.

Next up was the T6 petrol model in Momentum trim priced at £49,205 (£53,430 with options fitted). This model can reach from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 143mph. It can achieve 36.7mpg on a combined run with carbon emissions of 179g/km.

Once again the test car was an absolute pleasure to drive. It seemed a little edgier than its diesel counterpart and the engine was slightly quieter, but for those qualities there is a price to pay on the economy front.

However at the end of the day, buyers will have their own specific criteria and requirements when choosing a model, but one thing is guaranteed - the pure joy the all-new XC90 will bring.

All in all, the latest XC90 is a fabulous piece of kit that oozes quality, style and sophistication. It certainly propels Volvo into the premium market and will easily compete with the likes of Land Rover, Audi and BMW.