* Click HERE to see a video on the Volvo XC90 *
Comfort Food
We surround ourselves with items and material possessions that comfort us, make us feel secure and in control. The same could be said when we go out into the car/truck world and look for a new vehicle. Because emotions are so deeply tied into the choice of the purchase, we will often find ourselves hovering around those vehicles that make us feel good about ourselves, safe and even proud. The SUV is still burgeoning with new alternatives, be them green or not, and making the right decision can become quite a task.
Out of a selection of approximately 60 SUVs offered on our market, only a few really stand out. Of those, I include the compact Honda CR-V and the mid-sized Toyota 4Runner. The Luxury SUV segment is literally littered with a selection of very good to excellent trucks. I am going to talk a little about an outstanding utility vehicle and it is the Volvo XC90. Although SUVs are becoming harder and harder to justify, let us place ourselves in a position where one of these Road Kings are necessary.
The XC90, base and V8 in particular, offer one of the
most complete ensembles of practicality, performance, comfort and safety available, all categories combined. By beginning with an impressive platform shared with the soon-to-be-replaced S80 and adding a sophisticated electronically controlled AWD system and, for 2006, a V8 engine, the XC90 lacks nothing.
The cabin of this vehicle is as well or better appointed than the S80 sedan flagship. The plastic materials have a nice quality feel to the touch, gaps are minimal and even and best of all, it looks very good. The layout of the instruments and controls is logical as is their use. I particularly like the vent position buttons; a simple touch can have all three positions selected or any combination that the passengers desire. The Dolby Prologic II sound system provides clear powerful aural pleasure. The sound is masterfully defined and the different EQ settings can literally have you sitting in the middle of a concert hall. The exterior shape of the truck borrows heavily from the Volvo gene pool and it works. The head and taillights along with the beltline help to identify the truck as a rightful member of the family.
An item or a set of items that can not be overlooked in a Volvo is the seats. They are without a doubt some of the most restful and comfortable in the business. I have mentioned this before in a previous road test of the S40; they ar
e simply some of the best supportive couches anyone will ever find in an automobile. There is something about their design where every cushion comes in perfect contact with every part of the body.
The aforementioned V8 is supplied and designed in conjunction with Yamaha. It puts out a healthy 311 hp and 325 lb/ft of torque. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.5L inline 5-cylinder that is rated at 208 hp and 236 lb/ft of torque. Although I have never driven an I-5 equipped XC90, I have heard that it has its work cut out for it especially when loaded with passengers and gear. The downside to the purchase of any V8 equipped SUV is the thirst for fuel. I managed an average of a shade over 14.5L per 100 km. Granted, not very good but still one of the more reasonable guzzlers in the group. Power is very gratifying from the V8 as it sings a lovely melodious growl all the way to its 6 000 rpm redline. The 6-speed automatic transmission is faultless and seamless. It works invisibly as it up shifts and is always willing to kick it down a few notches for optimal passing power.
Comfort Food
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Out of a selection of approximately 60 SUVs offered on our market, only a few really stand out. Of those, I include the compact Honda CR-V and the mid-sized Toyota 4Runner. The Luxury SUV segment is literally littered with a selection of very good to excellent trucks. I am going to talk a little about an outstanding utility vehicle and it is the Volvo XC90. Although SUVs are becoming harder and harder to justify, let us place ourselves in a position where one of these Road Kings are necessary.
The XC90, base and V8 in particular, offer one of the
most complete ensembles of practicality, performance, comfort and safety available, all categories combined. By beginning with an impressive platform shared with the soon-to-be-replaced S80 and adding a sophisticated electronically controlled AWD system and, for 2006, a V8 engine, the XC90 lacks nothing. The cabin of this vehicle is as well or better appointed than the S80 sedan flagship. The plastic materials have a nice quality feel to the touch, gaps are minimal and even and best of all, it looks very good. The layout of the instruments and controls is logical as is their use. I particularly like the vent position buttons; a simple touch can have all three positions selected or any combination that the passengers desire. The Dolby Prologic II sound system provides clear powerful aural pleasure. The sound is masterfully defined and the different EQ settings can literally have you sitting in the middle of a concert hall. The exterior shape of the truck borrows heavily from the Volvo gene pool and it works. The head and taillights along with the beltline help to identify the truck as a rightful member of the family.
An item or a set of items that can not be overlooked in a Volvo is the seats. They are without a doubt some of the most restful and comfortable in the business. I have mentioned this before in a previous road test of the S40; they ar
e simply some of the best supportive couches anyone will ever find in an automobile. There is something about their design where every cushion comes in perfect contact with every part of the body. The aforementioned V8 is supplied and designed in conjunction with Yamaha. It puts out a healthy 311 hp and 325 lb/ft of torque. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.5L inline 5-cylinder that is rated at 208 hp and 236 lb/ft of torque. Although I have never driven an I-5 equipped XC90, I have heard that it has its work cut out for it especially when loaded with passengers and gear. The downside to the purchase of any V8 equipped SUV is the thirst for fuel. I managed an average of a shade over 14.5L per 100 km. Granted, not very good but still one of the more reasonable guzzlers in the group. Power is very gratifying from the V8 as it sings a lovely melodious growl all the way to its 6 000 rpm redline. The 6-speed automatic transmission is faultless and seamless. It works invisibly as it up shifts and is always willing to kick it down a few notches for optimal passing power.