Vehicle Tested
| 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription
Base Price: $48,900
As-Tested Price: $66,705
Built in Sweden.
Options
Vision Package
Climate Package
Convenience Package
Bowers & Wilkins Sound System
Metallic Paint
2nd-Row Booster Seat
21-inch Alloy Wheels
4-Corner Air Suspension
Engine: Turbocharged & Supercharged 2.0-liter
I4, 318
horsepower
Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: All-Wheel Drive
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With the XC90, Volvo unleashes its first all-new model since 2010. It's a 7-passenger crossover that competes with vehicles like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Infiniti QX60, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz GL. The XC90 effectively replaces a vehicle with a similar name that was last sold in 2014.
The 2016 XC90 sports more aggressive styling, an all-new interior, more powerful base engine, hybrid model, and a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features. The new car is 3 inches wider, 5.5 inches longer, an inch taller and nearly 300 pounds lighter than the model it replaces.
The standard powertrain is called T6. It's comprised of a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine that mates to an 8-speed automatic. In U.S. tune, the engine makes 316 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs of torque. The XC90 is also available as a plug -in hybrid. Called the T8, the hybrid mates the 2.0-liter engine to an electric motor/battery combo that boosts horsepower to 400 and torque to 472. The hybrid can be plugged in and, when the batter is fully charged, driven for up to 25 miles in electric-only mode. All-wheel drive is standard on all models.
Standard safety features include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front seats, rearview camera, frontal-collision warning and automatic braking for frontal-crash mitigation. The XC90 also includes Run-off Road protection. The system tightens the seatbelts and firms the seat cushions if the vehicle suddenly goes off road.
Additional safety features include surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and a child booster seat built into the center position of the second row.
Three trim levels of the XC90 are offered: Momentum, R-Design and Inscription. The Momentum starts at $48,900 and includes 19-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, panoramic sunroof, roof rails, power tailgate, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, four-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats, driver memory settings, heated front seats, 40/20/40-split second-row seats, 50/50-split third-row seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 9-inch touchscreen display with navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth, smartphone app integration and a 10-speaker sound system with satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The R-Design adds $4000 to the price of the Momentum and includes 20-inch alloy wheels, LED adaptive headlights, automatic high-beam control, LED running lights, unique grille and exterior accents, a sport steering wheel with shift paddles, upgraded leather sport seats, a digital gauge cluster display, illuminated step plates, added interior illumination and aluminum mesh cabin accents.
The XC90 Inscription adds another $1600 for a starting price of $54,500 and features unique wheels and interior and exterior trim. It also has extended leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and rear side window shades.
Volvo offers several option packages for each model. The Momentum Plus package includes LED headlights, LED running lights, digital gauge cluster display, illuminated step plates and added interior illumination. The Vision package features power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, surround-view parking camera system, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Climate package includes heated windshield and washer nozzles, heated second-row seats and a heated steering wheel. The Convenience package adds front parking sensors, automated parking assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, power-folding third-row seats, grocery bag holder and a 12-volt power outlet.
Individual options include different wheels, adaptive air suspension, head-up display, built-in second-row child booster seat, power operation for the third-row seat and a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system. The XC90 is built in Sweden and has a destination charge of $995.
Get Up and Go - The gas-only T6 drivetrain pushes the XC90 from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 6 seconds. That's outstanding for the class - despite the fact that the XC90 is down two, and in some cases four, cylinders to most competitors. The engine works very well with the torque-heavy engine to provide smooth acceleration from a standstill and buttery downshifts in passing situations. Drivers might fault a sleepy feeling throttle, but that's designed to encourage more fuel efficient driving and common among luxury cars today and can be remedied by putting selecting the performance mode when you start.
The XC90 is EPA rated at 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg overall. Those numbers are quite respectable for the class. Unfortunately, Volvo calls for premium-grade fuel which somewhat mitigates the higher EPA numbers. In real-world driving, the XC90 is likely to average about 19 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg in highway driving -expect those numbers to dip if you spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic. To help the XC90 get the most out of a gallon of gas, the T6 engine features a stop-start feature that shuts down the engine at stoplights and also an econ mode that helps reduce fuel consumption when cruising on the highway. Cruising range is a pleasant 380-460 miles, depending on your type of driving. Though the econ mode is hardly noticeable, the stop-start feature is more noticeable than you might expect.
Volvo's all-wheel-drive system does not have a low-range transfer case and is not intended for serious off-road use, especially in the hybrid version. However, the system should be more than adequate for Chicago's snow covered roads or the occasional trip off the beaten (or paved) path. Maximum towing capacity is 5000 lbs.
On the Road - Not surprisingly, the 2016 Volvo XC90 rides an all-new chassis. Called Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the XC90's underpinnings will migrate to nearly every other product offering in Volvo's U.S. lineup. SPA starts with an extremely ridged frame and boasts a multilink rear suspension that uses either a single composite leaf spring or and air-spring and active-damper setup.
When equipped with the available active suspension, the XC90 rides with all of the comfort and control you expect from a luxury crossover. The suspension is quite compliant at low speeds and firms up nicely on the highway. There are several settings with comfort providing the softest ride but also introducing some additional, and unwanted, body motions on bumpy roads. Opt for the sport setting and things firm up quite a bit, perhaps too much for some people's tastes. Thankfully there's an auto setting that blends the best of both.
Put the spurs to the horse, and the XC90 responds with predictable but impressive road holding. The steering firms up nicely at speed and has great on-center feel. Additionally, the brakes have impressive stopping power and an easy-to-modulate pedal.
Volvo offers semi-autonomous cruise control that not only maintains speed at highway speeds but also in stop-and-go traffic. The lane-keeping assist will attempt to steer the vehicle to help the driver avoid drifting into another lane. The system works so well, that you can almost see the future of autonomous driving from here ...
Interior noise levels are quite low. Not the dead silent that you might expect in an ultra-premium crossover, but certainly lower than in many "sport-minded" competitors. Wind rush never intrudes and tire thrum is only a problem on concrete pavement. The engine is rarely heard except for in hard acceleration where it emits a premium-sounding snarl.
Behind the Wheel - Stark and modern, the XC90 interior presents a refreshing contrast compared to most luxury-vehicles. The design is flowing and driver focused without being overdone. The centerpiece is the large touchscreen panel that's at the heart of Volvo's Sensus Infotainment system. It dominates the center stack like no other touchscreen and absorbs most of the vehicle functions. Still, Volvo managed to provide enough wood, metal, soft-touch plastic and leather to impart an upscale and luxurious feeling.
Drivers face a digital display of two large dials with a center information screen. The gauge cluster is easy to read day or night and doesn't washout in direct sunlight. In the center of the dash is a 9-inch vertically-oriented touchscreen with an iPad-like home button at the bottom. The touchscreen controls the audio system, navigation system, climate control and many ancillary vehicle functions. There are some traditional buttons below the touchscreen for radio volume, etc.
With an operating system that's immediately familiar to anyone who has used a tablet computer in the last 5 years, Sensus is likely the easiest-to-operate in-vehicle infotainment system. In addition, there is a fully functional voice command system and head-up display to help driver's keep their eyes on the road.
Front seats are firmly supportive and provide great head and leg room. The driving position is upright with a great view of the road - front and rear. Plus, there's an around-view display to help when backing and parking. Second-row seats also provide good adult comfort and room, though putting the front seats all the way back shrink knee room somewhat. As is the case with most three-row crossovers, third-row seats are best left to kids and getting in and out is a gymnastic exercise.
At an ultimate rating of 85.7 cubic feet, cargo space is on par with others in the class, but nothing special - especially when the third-row seats are in use. Thankfully they fold flat into the floor, providing a nice level surface. There are open and covered bins throughout that provide ample small-item storage. One nice touch is a button on the lift gate that both closes the hatch and locks the vehicle.
Bottom Line - As Volvo's first all-new vehicle in quite some time, the 2016 XC90 is quite impressive, and it had to be. XC90's combination of safety, technology, performance, economy and suave Euro-design provide a refreshing alternative for luxury crossover shoppers. The fact that it's priced thousands below most competitors makes it a compelling choice and a must-drive for those in the market.
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