The Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicle represents the company's first venture in the mid-size premium SUV market. Known for building safe cars, Volvo now takes that well-earned image to the SUV segment. Safety features in the XC90 include Roll Stability Control (RSC), an inflatable side curtain for all three rows of seats, and seatbelts with pretensioners in all seating positions. Built off the respected P2 large-car platform that is also utilized by the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the XC90 is the largest vehicle in the Volvo lineup. Aside from being one of the safest SUVs, the XC90 is very appealing both inside and out. And like other Volvos, the XC90 is built well, with thought given to every detail. By mounting the engine transversely in XC90's engine bay, more interior room is afforded and it enables Volvo to offer an optional third-row seat. As part of the Versatility Package ($1,675), the optional forward facing third-row seat increases seating capacity to seven. Also included are separate controls for the rear air conditioning unit and audio systems. A unique feature of the XC90's second row seats (when ordered with the Versatility Package) is that the 40/20/40 bench seat is adjustable fore and aft, affording more room for the third-row passengers. When not in use, the third row folds flat below the cargo floor, increasing luggage capacity without the hassle of lifting a heavy seat out of the vehicle. The center portion also incorporates a child booster seat, and when slid into the forward position allows the child to better interact with the front seat occupants. That'll be a hit with moms and dads when it comes to hitting the road. The XC90 features a high-quality interior, but we were less than satisfied with space for large adults in the second-row seats. With a third-row seat, best suited for kids, the second-row doesn't offer enough space for taller adults. Two versions of the Volvo XC90 are available: the XC90 and the XC90 AWD T6. A 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 208 horsepower powers the XC90. The base XC90 powers the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional on XC90 and comes standard in the AWD T6 model. The XC90 AWD T6 gets its power from a twin turbocharged 2.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine making 268 horsepower. Our XC90 tester was an AWD model powered by the 2.5-liter I5. My co-tester and I each would have preferred the I6, though. Our 2.5-liter powered tester exhibited too much turbo-lag. With power coming in late in the rpm range, we found that we needed a bigger gap in traffic to merge. Once you're moving, the XC90 is smooth and confident. With a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission, our tester's engine seemed fairly quiet on the highway. On the pavement, our XC90 was quite agile, as is expected for a car-based SUV. But, surprisingly, the XC90 drives smaller than it looks and is easy to maneuver in tight quarters, too. If Chicago's slippery roads are a concern, XC90's all-wheel-drive system should put you at ease. As with other all-wheel-drive Volvos, the XC90''s system operates seamlessly and is invisible to the driver. Created by Haldex and specifically tuned to meet the demands of the XC90, power is transferred automatically between the front and rear wheels, depending on available traction. Under normal conditions, 95 percent of the engine's power is sent to the front wheels. If slippage is detected and the front wheels lose traction, a multi-plate clutch located in the rear differential engages and instantly begins routing up to a maximum of 65 percent of the power to the rear wheels. Engagement of the all-wheel-drive system is extremely fast, allowing just 1/7th of a wheel rotation before power begins being diverted to the wheels with the most traction. Options on our tester included: Metallic Paint ($450), Climate Package ($595), Versatility Package ($1,675), AWD ($1,750), Premium Package ($2,575), and Cargo Net ($300). Having been introduced as a 2003 model, the 2004 XC90 sees only minor changes. A new optional leather gearshift knob adds a touch of class inside, and the flip-and-fold key-integrated remote combines remote locking/unlocking and the ignition key in one smart package. Two new alloy wheel styles are also available, as is one new exterior color, Ice White.
2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T AWD
Engine: 2.5-liter (208 hp) turbocharged I5
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Drive Type: AWD
Fuel Economy: 18 city/24 highway
Base Price: $34,440
As Tested: $42,470 (includes $685 for destination)
Website: www.volvocars.com |
