SOMEONE at Volvo must like spiders.

Open the storage bins in the back of the new XC90 and on the inside of the lid you'll find a smiley arachnid in its web.

They're moulded in plastic and there is one on either side of the vehicle - apparently to keep youngsters amused when the car is set up as a seven seater.

Whatever the reason no other car has such a feature - and keeping the kids happy is important.

Explore further and there's an array of family-friendly features which all add up to make this king-sized SUV very appealing.

The latest XC90 is the first really new Volvo since the Swedish car maker become part of the Chinese-owned Geely organisation and it shows the Scandinavians mean business across the globe.

With alternatives such as the Audi Q7 and Volkswagen Touareg the new XC90 offers a degree of sophistication that sets it apart.

Not only is the XC90 very accommodating it is also very luxurious and comes with masses of technology including a sound system that is out on its own.

Virtually everything on the car is controlled from a tablet-style touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard and that alone makes the interior design quite minimalist.

Scrolling through the pages on the display gives access to everything from the sat nav to the vehicle systems which include lane departure warning and cross traffic alerts when reversing.

The graphics are high resolution and include a 360 degree camera systems which can deliver an aerial view of the car and its surroundings - very handy when manoeuvring.

Then there's the Bowers & Wilkins sound system which can be configured to replicate the splendid acoustics of the Gothenburg Symphony Hall where Volvo sponsors the resident orchestra.

Let it rip and it is an in-car entertainment experience like no other with a fantastically rich sound quality.

Even heavy rock has a home in this audio arena and the volume can be enormous.

If orchestral surroundings are not to your fancy then there are individual and studio modes to get the most from your music which can come from a variety of sources including the XC90's digital radio, your own smartphone or other plugged-in players.

If children get a spider or two to keep them entertained then for the grown up in the driver's seats there's a full colour TFT instrument panel, a head up display and a multi-mode drive control to get the best out of this two-tonnes of automotive luxury.

For a car which can seat seven or carry almost as much cargo as a van, the XC90 is surprisingly agile and nicely powerful.

Volvo's new Drive E engines are used in both petrol and diesel versions of the XC90 and both perform well.

The obvious difference is fuel consumption and although the T6 petrol model is rated at 35.3mpg with emissions of 186g/km its real world return is in the region of 27 to the gallon on a run and in the low 20s around town.

The diesel will get much closer to the official 45mpg figure and we notched up a credible 41mpg in everyday use.

The XC90 is four wheel drive but not really an off roader even though there is a setting in the drive control menu to set up the car for rougher surfaces.

On the practical side the boot is the size of a family hatchback at 314 litres and that is with all seven seats in play.

Fold down the rear pair and there is more than enough space for all the family's holiday needs.

The XC90 is comfortable, very spacious inside and laps up long distances with ease.

In top specification Inscription trim the T6 costs from £53,740 and the D5 diesel £50,185 although the XC90 range itself starts from £45,750.

Both diesel and petrol models are fitted with eight speed auto boxes as standard and the car is easy to drive under any circumstances.

With extras which included £1,175 for the head up display as part of an option pack and adaptive cruise control plus the surround view camera and a further £3,000 for the sound system this particular T6 came in at £65,965.

That's premier league pricing in anyone's book and that is exactly where the XC90 sits. It's a top class car that's big on everything - even spiders.