Increasingly, manufacturers take the “S” component of SUVs a little too literally. All the high-end automakers produce a large SUV that has more power than any owner should ever need or use in a vehicle of this type. If you really need over 300 kW, a sports saloon is where you should be aiming.
Refreshingly, Volvo has shied away from the power games and its latest creation has been designed from the ground up with passenger comfort, rather than driving dynamics, playing a key role.
Spacious interior
With occupants in mind, the XC90 has been designed from the inside out, with particular attention paid to space utilisation and the human/machine interface. All local XC90s come standard with seven seats. And the rear-most pair aren’t just for show either as they can accommodate passengers of up to 1,7 m tall in relative comfort.
The three rows of seats have been arranged in theatre-style with those further back mounted higher up to reduce any claustrophobic effect, and hopefully preventing motion sickness in little ones seated at the back.
To help achieve this arrangement, the XC90 uses a transverse leaf spring at the rear as this set-up frees up space in the cabin and the cargo area. The composite item is a prime example of Volvo not placing driving dynamics at the forefront of the vehicle’s design brief.
Nice to touch
As with most Swedish products, the interior design is sleek and devoid of clutter. The prime contact surfaces all have a lovely tactility.
Taking centre stage on the facia is the firm’s newly developed Sensus infotainment system. Bucking the trend once again, Volvo favoured a portrait layout (as opposed to the landscape option used by most other manufacturers) for the touchscreen.
Anyone with a modern smartphone will immediately feel at ease with the system, as we did during our short time with the car. There are a few menus to scroll through and these can control just about every part of the car’s make-up, barring the driving experience.
Incidentally, Volvo employed leading audio firm Bowers and Wilkins in the design phase to help create a cabin that would be receptive to a high-end hifi. If the opportunity ever presents itself then I highly recommend that you take a listen to a B&W-kitted XC90.
On the go
In keeping with its Drive-E ethos of efficiency, all models in the XC90 range are powered by 2,0-litre engines, in either petrol or diesel versions. There are no six- or eight cylinder options available and neither will there be in the future.
The line-up for now will consist of the T6 turbopetrol and D5 turbodiesel; D4 and T5 derivatives will follow toward the end of this year. A hybrid T8 variant completes the range early next year. I sampled the D5 on the recent media ride and drive event held around Cape Town.
With 470 N.m on tap from just over idle, the D5’s relaxed nature is ideally suited to a car of this ilk. The power band is well exploited by an eight-speed transmission, which happens to be standard fitment across the range.
The electrically assisted steering action is light, but the lane-keeping assist (as fitted to the model we tested) is eager to correct even the slightest movements over the lines – be wary when moving over into the yellow line to let faster traffic through.
That aforementioned transverse spring set-up at the rear was not even noticed as we cruised along motorway and back-roads to the mountainous region of Franschhoek. The large alloys made more of an impression that I would like, and if it were my own car I’d not opt for such a large rim size.
Summary
I don’t understand why manufacturers are hell-bent on playing the power game when it comes to SUVs, and it seems neither does Volvo. The Swedish manufacturer knows that the big markets (USA and China) are more in tune with comfort when it comes to large SUVs, and they have designed the XC90 accordingly. It fulfils the brief of large family car perfectly.
If your budget extends to this end of the market and you are keen to stand out a bit from the sea of German and Brit luxury models, then the XC90 should be high on your shopping list.
