To describe a product as both a Volvo and an SUV seems rather
incongruous. Volvos are those staid, safe Swedish cars and SUVs
are big, trucky contraptions touted for their off-road
capabilities, right? Well, it’s not news that the line
between SUVs and passenger cars has been blurring for quite a
while as so-called "crossover" vehicles, which try to capture the
best of both the car and truck worlds, enter the market. But when
Volvo starts making SUVs it seems like a line has been crossed.
Luckily for Volvo fans though, the result of the Swedish
automaker’s foray into the sport utility realm – the
XC90 – has a lot more in common with an S80 than a Ford
Explorer.
Indeed, if it wasn’t for the fact that the view through
the windshield is markedly higher than that of a sedan, you could
easily mistake the sophisticated interior of the XC90 for that of
a luxury car. The simple design line of the dashboard and
instrument binnacle and use of wood accents create an upscale
feel. And the button-encrusted center console puts sound system
and HVAC controls within easy reach, without making things seem
too busy.
But the star of the interior resides in the back, not the front.
The main driving force behind the development of the XC90 is
seven-passenger capability housed within compact exterior
dimensions. So, Volvo squeezed in two front-facing seats in the
rear that are suitable for small kids, though adults would find
the lack of legroom objectionable on any but the shortest trips.
In the second row seats, the XC90 offers an unique option that
should be a hit with parents of small children: the middle seat
can be brought forward well past the rest of the row, making the
reach to deliver a juice box or wipe a snotty nose a lot shorter.
As you might imagine, Volvo put a lot of thought into safety
before entering a market segment that has been plagued by
accidents. To offset the higher rollover potential of SUVs, the
XC90 is equipped with a Roll Stability Control system that uses
gyroscopic sensors to measure the vehicle’s roll speed and
angle. If a potential rollover risk is determined, the
XC90’s Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system kicks
in reducing engine power and braking one or more wheels to induce
understeer and regain stability. If the worst does happen, the
roof of the SUV has been reinforced with high-strength Boron
steel, and all three rows are equipped with seat belt
pretensioners and side curtain airbags. (Volvo pointedly says
that though other SUV makers also talk about the third row being
mainly for kids, it is the first to offer curtain airbags for
them.)
Driving on the highways and the back roads of Napa Valley, the
XC90 felt every bit as solid and smooth as the cars that share
many of its underpinnings. Steering was precise and the vehicle
took sharp corners without any pronounced body roll. While not
designed for serious off-roading (yeah, like the vast majority of
SUV owners go off-road anyway), the XC90 absorbed the ruts and
potholes of poorly maintained rural roads without transmitting
much discomfort to either the driver or passenger. The XC90 comes
with either a 208-hp inline five-cylinder engine, or an inline
six with twin turbochargers that adds 60 hp. Both offer plenty of
power, but, surprisingly, the six-cylinder does not feel
significantly more potent than the five, though that might not be
the case with a full load of passengers and gear.
Volvo is clearly shooting for the affluent Boomer market with
the XC90. It estimates that the median household income for XC90
buyer will be around $145,000, which falls almost exactly in the
middle between Lexus RX300 owners and BMW X5 owners. Prices start
at $33,975 for the 5-cylinder FWD version and top out at $42,225
for all the bells and whistles. A $2,575 Premium package gets you
things like leather, a 6-CD in-dash player and a power moonroof.
To get the third row seats you have to buy the Versatility
Package for $1,675, and you can only get that if you have already
selected the Premium package, which means the cheapest
7-passenger XC90 is $38,225.
Bottom line: with the XC90 Volvo has created an SUV that
addresses the safety and carrying capacity concerns that most
sport utility owners say they need, while giving them the trendy
image they feel they can’t get from a station wagon, or,
egad, a minivan.
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