xC90

Short test: 2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 R-Design

Vehicle: 2012 Volvo XC90 3.2 R-Design Plantinum with BLIS and Climate Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$61225

Swedish automakers love to milk their products until its completely gone dry. They tend to have at least two minor revisions until a complete makeover, which usually last more than a decade. In XC90′s case, Volvo has already milked it for one revision. For 2012, Volvo decided to have another revision until the supposedly all-new generation coming soon.

If you are one of those customers, who prefer to have a traditional interface system in the interior. XC90 is definitely the right car for you. It doesn’t have the multimedia interface, which is the current automotive trend to control all the functions inside a vehicle right from programming your keyfob to setting up adjustable dampers. XC90 remains to have traditional stereo and HVAC controls right with all those large knobs, which are very initutive and user-friendly, as per Volvo tradition. Despite of its age, XC90′s interior materials and workmanship have been able to take the time being. That isn’t come as any surprise as Volvo’s 200 and 700/900-Series have aged quite gracefully back in this Swedish carmaker’s glorious days.

The 240hp and 236 lb/ft 3.2 liter straight-6 remain to have quite a string to move XC90′s nearly 2-tonnes of curb weight. Its much better to move XC90 with its now deficit Yamaha-developed V8, while its slightly more powerful than the sluggish 2.5 LPT 5-cylinder. This motor already felt aged, when it comes to refinement and smoothness. Even more so, when it comes to performance and responsiveness. The 6-speed manumatic have gear ratios which seem to be rather overly wide-spaced for fuel economy instead of brisking performance, which this 3.2 motor deserves to get, with shorter lower drive ratios on 1st and 2nd gears. The tall 5th and 6th do help 3.2′s more relaxing highway ride.

XC90′s architecture dated back to the original S80, which was Volvo’s large car platform back in those Ford PAG era. Given its age, this architecture has aged remarkably well. However, it doesn’t have the rock-solid structure as found in newer rivals, both in the same or lower of the price spectum. Ride comfort remains the forte of XC90′s comfort-oriented setting. Both the steering feel and suspension dynamics have shown its age quite literally, when pushed XC90, through the slightest of the twisties.

The 3rd row remains a cramped place. Its also a “either/or” kinda of affair between 3rd row and luggage space.

All of these have come down to the timing of the next redesign. Given the excellence of the new S60 and XC60, next XC90 is going to be a very promising great ride. The big question marks for the helm at Geely is “when”?

Likes:
Comfortable seats
Initutive controls
Comfortable ride
Factory rebates

Dislikes:
Dated chassis
Dated driving feel
Dated design
Dated powertrain

Competitions:
Buick Enclave
Honda Pilot
Mazda CX-9
Lincoln MKX
Toyota Highlander

2006 Volvo XC90 V8

Vehicle: 2006 Volvo XC90 V8 with Luxury Package
Price as tested: CDN$70460

Performance: For 2006, Volvo ditched the T6 twin-turbo I-6 motor in flavor of Yamaha-developed V8. While the outgoing T6 has a healthy hp rating, its barely adequate for a heavy vehicle like XC90. As for the 2.5T, it remains a base engine in XC90 despite its a dog. The highlight of this 4.4L V8 is its 311 horsepower and 325 lb/ft of torque. This engine has made XC feels a bit more responsive when the driver has an urge to pass slow-moving vehicles. In the past, you need a second thought with T6 motor and forget about driving in fast lane in 2.5T. This 311 lb/ft of torque does work a whole lot better with XC’s 2190 kg curb weight. However, its level of response and flexability still not the best-in-class. There are many V8 luxury SUVs that are far more powerful and willing for keen drivers. Without the smart shifting 6-speed Geartronic, this motor is simple a waste with this hefty weight. Its a willing shifters with proper gear ratios. Although Volvo still doesn’t allow enthuisastic drivers to push it through the rev range.

Handling: Despite Volvo claimed they have stiffened up XC90′s suspensions, springs and shocks for V8 application; it remains a blvd cruiser rather than a capable handler. There are just way too many body rolls, Volvo’s DST-C or Dynamic Stablity & Traction Control is just way too instrusive. However, given XC90′s softly sprung character. It has a need to be instrusive. The steering feels vague and imprecise, even though the response is acceptable. Consider how much efforts Volvo has put through XC90′s passive safety, they should invest more resources for its active safety. With mashmellow handling dynamics, even 100 airbags couldn’t save a person’s life without a proper suspension tuning.

Interior: Inside the XC90, its everything you expect from a Volvo. It all begins with a great set of seats and logically layout instrumentation gauges. Everything else is well-finished in high-quality materials. The auto climate control is effective and driving position is easily found.

Just like all other XC90s, the 3rd row is a tortune for adults. I won’t even recommended kids to sit back there for a long road trip.

Conclusion: With the introduction of V8, XC90 finally got the engine that it desperately needs in day 1. Unfortunately, its 3 years too late considered how its competitors have advanced in this short period of time.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2006 VOLVO XC90 V8
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 2.5/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

2003 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD

Vehicle: 2003 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD with convenience, security and touring packages + Geartronic transmission

Performance: Our tested XC90 shares the same T6 engine as S80. The identical 2.9L twin-turbocharged engine that bumps out 268hp @ 5100 rpm and 280 lb/ft of torque @ 1800 rpm. The performance of the T6 is pretty amazing considered how much does the XC90 weight. It feels like a V8 through its power delivery. There is no turbo lag during the transition of the turbo kicks in at 2 stages. The turbo spools quickly without the usual lag of many turbocharged engines. Throttle response is excellent. The extra nod has to give for Volvo for tuning the throttle as a gentle response instead of the “too responsive” tip-in as some Teutonic competitor. Geartronic works exceptionally well with T6 powerplant. The gear ratios are well spaced. All the upshifts and downshifts are quick without being too abrupt. It responses to driver input accordingly. On the auto side, the tranny is willing to upshift and downshift.

Handling: It doesn’t come as a surprise that XC90 has a stiff and strong platform considered its based on Volvo’s large car platform. However, the overall dynamic package has fell short of its competitors. While the suspension provides enough secure feel as any Volvos. It feels softly sprung when push through corners. There are tons of body rolls and understeer. DSTC kicks in quite aggressively as you enter the corners. The steering weight is feather light. It has got to be one of the lightest steering I have ever driven. It got adequate on-center feel but off-center feels numb. Steering respose is adequate but I found the ratio is too slow. Another drawback of the T6 engine is the large turning radius. Although its unfair to compare to a sports sedan, Volvo has done a far superior job with S60 AWD by providing a lot more satisfying driving experience than XC90. There are still a lot of good attributes of XC90′s dynamic package. The Haldex has done its power transfer smoothly. Similar to the system used in S60/V70, this AWD is far superior than the one used in previous Cross Country. XC90′s best attribute is its ride quality, its comfortable and silky smooth. It absorbs all the bumps in a manner that its hard to find in this class.

Brakes: With standard 4-wheel discs and ABS. XC90′s pedal feel is solid and easily modulated. Considered XC90′s weight, the stopping distance is respectable in its class.

Interior: Along with the typical Volvo seats that provide top-notch support. All the switches are designed with human in mind. The knobs are large and easy to use. The pictogram design of the air position is very logically layout. Instrumentation gauges are analog and clear. The driving position is easily found thanks to the multi-adjustable power seats and tilt/telescope steering column. The 2nd row of seats have plenty of head and legroom. However, 3rd row seat is really cramped. If I am shopping for an XC90, I would take the 3rd row of seat off because its too close to the back window. Also those seats have taken off too much cargo space.

Conclusion: Despite of my criticisms, Volvo has done a very good job on their first SUV. Its safe, comfortable and nice-looking. If Volvo can stiffen up its dynamic package by providing a more involving driving experience, XC90 would be an even better ute.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2003 VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3.75/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3.75/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5