[SwissXC90]

The R-Design is primarily optical design changes t make it look sporty.

The only mechanical changes it has are a stiffened chassis setup (sport chassis / suspension) and a different speed dependent steering setup, 20" wheels, as well as quad exhaust tips on the diesel.
Engine and gearbox and other stuff is identical.
Note that the quad exhaust tips mean no spare wheel can be fitted, so the R-Design comes with the little air pump and emergency leak stopper goop.

The optical changes are:
Different seat styles and colours (with white piping)
Different floor mats
Front bumper design slightly different
Side skirts
Dash has blue instrument gauges
Mirror covers silver

A lot of R-Designs (such as mine) have higher spec options fitted. I have telephone, nav, rear parking camera, rear seat entertainment, bendy headlamps, a removable towbar. But all this stuff can appear on non-R-Designs as well.

Many of the R-Design influences were incorporated into the later model XC90s, so the 2014, 2015 model years look almost like R-Design, but lacking the badging