Volvo->ke188 has brought onto the market the XC90->ke412 SUV back in 2003 and since then no major updates have been made. But for the 2013 model year the company has announced "the most significantly updated XC90 since its launch a decade ago."

For the 2013 model year the XC90 has received a bold new look along with an enhanced roster of standard features inside and out. Exterior changes include new body-color bumpers, side skirts and wheel arches and of course new LED daytime running lights for the R-Design models. The list of updates continues with a new bumper bar, silk matte mirrors and 18-inch "Thalia" alloy wheels. The interior gets sanded silver aluminum inlays, white instrumentation lighting and a leather strap on the tailgate.

No changes have been made under the hood though, as the American version gets the usual 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine that delivers 240 HP and 236 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 2013 Volvo XC90 ha already been put on sale with pricing starting at $39,500.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Volvo XC90.

The exterior and the interior

With the new changes Volvo wanted to make the the XC90 look sleeker and lower to the ground. For this purpose the changes made to the article include a new body color front and rear bumpers, sill moldings and wheel arches. Volvo also placed new standard LED daytime running lights and taillights.

The 3.2 version has been updated even further with a new silver front bumper bar, chrome taillight trim, silk matte exterior rear view mirrors, air intake décor trim and 18" Thalia alloy wheels.

The R-Design models will get a fully color-coordinated exterior plus LED daytime running lights and taillights and a new set of 19" Ixion alloy wheels.

For the interior the new XC90 gets sanded silver aluminum inlays, white instrumentation lighting and a leather strap on the tailgate.

Platinum trim level includes:

-Volvo Premium Sound System with Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound,

-12 premium speakers and 650 watts,

-Navigation System with real time traffic

-remote control

-Map Care plus a rear park assist camera.

Premier Plus gets:

-standard Sovereign hide soft leather seating surfaces,

-red wood inlays

-gearshift knob and Executive floor mats

-a red wood steering wheel is available as an option

R-Design gets:

-sport-tuned suspension and steering for an enhanced driving character

-a unique R-Design grille,

-leather seating surfaces with embossed R-Design logo on the front seats,

-an R-Design steering wheel,

-watch dial instruments and floor mats.

The engine

No changes have been made under the hood, as the American version continues with the same 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine that delivers 240 HP and 236 lb.-ft. of torque.

This engine is equipped with Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and Cam Profile Switching (CPS) and comes mated to a six-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission as standard.

Prices

-XC90 3.2: $39,500

-XC90 3.2 Premier Plus: $42,000

-XC90 3.2 Platinum: $44,700

-XC90 3.2 R-Design: $42,300

-XC90 3.2 R-Design Premier Plus: $42,700

-XC90 3.2 R-Design Platinum: $45,400

The competition

One of the Volvo XC90 competitors also updated recently is the Audi Q5. But next to significant exterior and interior changes, the German model is also offering a choice of three TDI and two TFSI engines with power ranging from 143 HP to 272 HP, so in here customers will have lots of versions to choose from. Its true though that the Q5 is a little bit more expensive, but who can compete with the German quality, no?