![]() ![]() The Swedish rig is easier to manage, yet still substantive with a planted stance when it matters most, while ride quality is excellent. This is in contrast with some of the German SUVs that can feel a bit ponderous at slow speeds. The Volvo XC90 now feels especially light and maneuverable with the drive mode selector set to Dynamic (Comfort, Eco, Off-Road, and Individual modes are also available), which heightens all of the vehicle’s senses to make the most of a well-sorted, albeit unorthodox, double-wishbone front and transverse composite leaf independent rear suspension (yes, similar to the Corvette in back) or the optional air suspension, not to mention the potent powertrain noted before. Fuel efficiency is a key benefactor with 5-cycle tests confirming ratings of 11.5L/100km city and 9.5L/100km highway, helped along by standard AWD that mostly apportions torque to the front wheels before sending up to 60% rearward when needed. This is due to the first application of Volvo’s new in-house developed Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) that incorporates 40% ultra-high-strength and high-strength steel, plus extensive use of aluminum and lightweight composites in strategic areas. In fact, that curb weight mentioned earlier is the result of 125 kilograms (275 lbs) of reduction, and even better the new XC90 is more than 200kg (440lbs) lighter than key competitors. While solidly built and certainly larger, the new 2016 Volvo XC90 isn’t any heavier. The seatbacks fit solidly into place, as well, letting you know Volvo’s legendary sturdiness is still built into each detail, although the second row did take a fair bit of effort to push back into place, especially the stubborn centre seat. ![]() Functionality remains class-leading with Volvo’s unique second row continuing to be split up into thirds to provide greater space between the outboard seats for loading long items such as skis. ![]() That last number is especially notable considering the redesigned XC90 provides an additional 19 mm of ground clearance (total of 237 mm) for greater ability in deep snow as well as more capability on light- to medium-duty off-road excursions.Īll of this growth makes it a much more useful SUV, with each of its three rows roomier, especially the rearmost one that not only seems more spacious thanks to a panoramic glass roof shedding natural light overhead, but also fits medium-sized adults in reasonable comfort.Ĭargo capacity has also grown to 447 litres behind the third-row seats, 1,183 litres behind the second-row seats, and 2,427 litres when both rear rows are folded down. The new Volvo XC90 is a significant 143mm longer overall (4,950 mm) with a 127mm longer wheelbase (2,984 mm), a sizable 112mm wider (2,140 mm), and 9mm lower overall (1,775 mm). This is from a midsize utility vehicle that’s closer to full-size for 2016. Incidentally, electrifying this engine ups output to 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, juxtaposed by an EV range of 40 kilometres. That’s more than ample for launching this 1,993kg (4,385lb) 7-passenger SUV off the line and up to highway speeds with smile-inducing zeal. To be clear, the 2.0L 4-cylinder internal combustion engine is the same, but combines direct injection with both turbocharging and supercharging for V6-like output that totals 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That electrified power unit isn’t the only advanced engine-tech behind the 2016 Volvo XC90’s broad new grille. The Volvo brand and its new XC90 not only fit ideally within today’s concept of luxury, it’s also leading the charge. The new XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid is a good example of clean tech done right. Second, a major shift in premium brand core values has occurred, which now sees active safety technologies working towards fully autonomous driving.Īnd yet high-tech safety has been upstaged by environmental stewardship. The brand new 2016 Volvo XC90 is a class leader in design and execution from the most basic $61,300 T6 AWD model to the new $118,900 Excellence model, the latter vying for Bentley and Maybach levels of over-the-top opulence. First, the company has clearly lost any shyness about showing its all. It wasn’t long ago that Volvo came across as a slightly apprehensive premium player, with styling, performance, and equipment levels that seemed to drive down the centre line of life, as if one pair of tires were in the fast lane of high-performance luxury and the other dawdling along in the slower lane of reliability, safety, and fuel efficiency. ![]()
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