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Posted August, 2006

Road Test: 2006 Volvo XC90

By Kevin S. Lowery

Last year, we saw the last two automakers without a real SUV in their line-up—Volvo and Subaru—acquiesce to pressure to make an SUV look and feel like every other SUV on the market. That saddens me. I’m not one of those people who has preconceived notions about what an SUV looks like. For me, the old Volvo Cross Country and the Subaru Outback were good enough. The gas mileage was significantly better, which made it even more appealing, especially in this post-Katrina world where gasoline prices can spike without warning. But, evidently, the market didn’t feel the same way. Sigh.

Prior to 2005, the XC (Cross Country) was a glorified station wagon with an optional AWD (All-Wheel Drive) system. It was a funky, “think outside the box” type of automobile. After Volvo’s XC90 debuted as a 2005 mid-year model, it wasn’t long until it became the most popular model in Volvo’s history. (And who said it’s the end of the SUV as we know it? wink, wink.) Why all the excitement? Well, this was the first “true” SUV that Volvo had put into production. Volvo had finally created an SUV with the look of an SUV—or the characteristics people associate with an SUV—without losing it’s “sedan” feel. That suddenly put Volvo in the game.

The XC90’s engine is a compact V8 tailor-made just for it. It’s a 4.4-liter 32-valve 311hp at 5850rpm and 325 lb-ft. of torque at 3900rpm. It is naturally aspirated and includes a continuously variable intake and exhaust valve timing (CVVT).

Several changes were made in the 2006 model, especially the XC90 2.5T. New options like All-Wheel Drive with Instant Traction, make the 2.5T look like even more of a value. (Front-wheel drive is standard.) The optional computer-controlled Haldex AWD system instantaneously delivers up to 50 percent more torque to the rear axle only when needed, such as during takeoff. Instant Traction adds a one-way pre-charging valve to the AWD system that maintains a torque load of 59 foot-pounds, which is available instantly. Prior to Instant Traction, if the AWD system sensed that the front wheels were losing traction, one-seventh of a wheel rotation occurred before it began redirecting torque to the wheels with traction. That rotation could negatively influence performance under certain conditions.

Driving the XC90 V8 was somewhat of a chore. First off, the interior was unexciting. (Say, if I’m going to have to be in the cockpit a lot I want some real eye candy.) The rigidity and the ability to really put it through it’s paces, well, I felt like I was compromised because I couldn’t take the curves as aggressively as I have done in other vehicles. And at the curve’s apex the car wallowed more than I liked. The ambient noise levels, however, were improved over that of the 2005 model.

The XC90 V8’s interior is equipped with a lengthy list of luxury features. Among them are standard leather seating surfaces for all three rows, power moonroof, auto-dimming mirror, aluminum inlays and gearshift knob, third-row climate control, six-CD in-dash changer and rear seat audio controls. Coordinated body-side moldings and mirrors, a graphite-gray grille, chrome-plate trim about the bumper air intake and twin exhaust pipes. Two new hues, Lunar Gold and Willow Green are available. Standard features are rain sensing wipers, HomeLink and a Dolby Pro-Logic II sound system and a standard tire pressure monitor, too. And a new Convenience Package is available that includes rear park assist, power retractable mirrors, power child door locks and a cargo security cover and protection net.

A Volvo automobile has always been considered the hallmark of safety. In fact, I know many buyers who swear by them just for this reason. Adhering to those core safety values, all XC90 models are equipped standard with Roll Stability Control (RSC), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Side impact Protection System (SIPS) with side airbags and Inflatable Curtains for all three rows.

There’s a full 93.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity and over 9.5 feet of cargo length are available when the second and third rows and the front passenger seat are folded flat. Forward facing third row seats (standard V8; optional 2.5T) increase seating capacity to seven.

We drove the XC90 V8 with all the trimmings. Its MSRP is $45,840. The 2.5T has an MSRP of $35,640. All derivations of the XC are very much the same within tenths of a degree, even the XC90 V8 came in at 15 city/20 highway. The V8-powered XC90’s 0-60mph time was just under 8 second, which is better than the T2.5’s best of 9.5 seconds.

There are aspects of the SC90 V8 that are less than appealing. The front grille design is far too over worked. As I previously mention, the interior design is unimaginative and the handling was lackluster. I expected better from a $50K Volvo. I mean, for that chunk of change the product should be top grade in all respects. But I don’t want to end on a negative note.

It was really a treat to feel the pulling power of the V8. It was also good to see a new SUV that isn’t as tall and has a little more of a “sedan” feel—like a CUV. (Manufacturers who haven’t got a clue, look at the shape of this vehicle and GET one.) The seats were very comfortable and had all the comfort and safety features in them that you could ever want. So if you’re a true dyed-in-the-wool Volvo fan, you will probably fall in love with the V8 version. Just be careful of the traffic cops. R&D