Since its launch in 2002 it has won a loyal following. Even American actress Jennifer Garner, the wife of Ben Affleck, has an XC90.
The top-of-the-range test model has smatterings of chrome on the wing mirrors and grille as well as black alloy wheels making it look like a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) vehicle as used in US TV series 24. It definitely looks the part.
On first acquaintance I sit in the driver’s seat perplexed as to how to remove the parking brake. I eventually realise that there is a footbrake on the left of the footwell as you can see in the video at testdrives.biz. Logic suggests depressing it with my foot. This I do, only to press it further down. After much head scratching I resort to reading the manual only to find that the footbrake is released by pulling a handle on the right of the dashboard.
Turn the ignition and the rattle of the 2.4-litre diesel is audible from inside. This is quickly lost when on the move and under excessive exertion the resulting grunt adds to the overall driving experience of this all-roader.
The six-speed geartronic auto can also be used as a five-speed manual. On reversing, a pop up screen appears on the dash displaying the helpful camera view. The XC90 is a large brute, capable of transporting seven adults. Unsurprisingly it can feel a little cumbersome, especially when pulling out at roundabouts when there is a delayed response. But this is easily remedied by kicking the accelerator to the floor. The high up position of this vehicle makes it an entertaining vehicle for safely overtaking on B-roads; drivers can perform manoeuvres they would rarely consider even in faster vehicles, because of its height. Inside is comfortable and luxurious, even the air conditioning can be confined to rear occupants or the whole vehicle. The soft suspension soaks up even the worst potholes.
Parkers, the car experts, writes: “The Volvo XC90 was the firm’s first real off-roader. It may not be as agile to drive as alternatives like the BMW X5, but the XC90 is strong in other areas - most notable its refined ride which makes it ideal for long motorway journeys. It was revised in 2007 with minor exterior tweaks, a more luxurious interior and new engines. All Volvo XC90s come with seven seats, arranged in a 2-3-2 format that means most owners tend to run it as a five-seater with a simply huge boot. When you do need those extra seats, or fancy using it as a six-seater where everyone gets a bit more elbow room, it’s a doddle to flip up the rear seats from their flat stowed position in the boot floor.”
A fabulous vehicle that will appeal to a whole plethora of purchasers from tall businessmen with large families (Peter Jones take note) through to property developers and leisure entrepreneurs.
Model tested: Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 (200bhp) SE Lux 5d Geartronic
New price range: £35,695 - £44,845
Economy: 34mpg
Engine: 2.4-litre
0-60mph: 10secs
Top speed: 127mph
Power: 197bhp
Watch the video at www.testdrives.biz
