THE Volvo XC90 is the victor in a shoot-out among the top five large 4x4s and SUVs in The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars – beating some illustrious rivals.

It pipped the new Audi Q7, the iconic Range Rover, the £160,000 new Bentley Bentayga and the Mitubishi Shogun.

The prestigious awards celebrates the best 100 cars currently on sale, as judged by the editorial team behind The Sunday Times Driving.

From exterior design to comfort, interior space to refinement, the XC90 garnered widespread praise from those evaluating the car, with the citation:

“The XC90 oozes style and confidence, from its large grille and ice-pick running lights to the luxury of its cabin. And even adults will find the third row of seats comfortable – for a while. Optional air-suspension provides a smooth ride and minimises leaning in corners; combined with the quiet, powerful diesel engine it makes for serene journeys.”

Available with a choice of petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid drivetrains, the seven-seat XC90 is priced from £46,250.

The 407hp T8 plug-in hybrid version arrives in the UK in 2016 and combines petrol and electric power for high performance, with low CO₂ emissions of just 49g/km.

Nick Connor, managing director of Volvo Car UK, said: “The XC90 continues its run of success with yet another high profile award, further cementing its place among the world’s greatest cars and standing out as winner of the fiercely competitive large 4×4 and SUV category.”

He added:  “The XC90 is the first of a new generation of intuitively designed, beautifully engineered Volvo cars, all of which benefit from the very latest technologies, so to see it winning these awards against such established rivals shows we’re on course for success in the coming years.”