The novelties start with the design, and the Swedish automaker is in a class of its own. Clean and subtle, though far from conservative, the exterior flair is kicked up a notch with the eye-catching “Thor’s Hammer” headlights. While plenty of automakers have signature lighting elements, the sideways T-shaped shine from Volvo’s illuminators is elegant, especially compared with other automakers’ attempts to stand out (see: humongous, eye-searingly ugly BMW grilles and tacky illuminated Mercedes grilles).
There are practically zero accent lines to interrupt the design, and Volvo avoids going big with the grille to exaggerate a sporting pedigree with this R-Design trim model. Multi-spoke wheels help the vehicle look speedy when at a standstill, but that’s a trick used throughout the industry.