Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

162 |AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE

T

he XC90 is one of the biggest
things out of Sweden since
ABBA. This almost fi ve-metre-
long and more than two-metre-
wide seven-seater is the fi rst
fl agship SUV from Volvo since it
was bought by Chinese company
Geely in 2010. It showcases the
company’s new style, engines
and safety technologies.
The range opens at $93,900 for
the D5 in Momentum trim grade.
The higher Inscription and
sporty-look R-Design grades
cost $99,900 and $101,900
respectively, while choosing T6
petrol power adds another $3000.
Both engines are transverse-
mounted 2.0-litre fours and
Volvo has no plans to offer any
engine with a greater number of
cylinders. Such is life in the new
world of low-emission motoring.
So while you can have a
2.0-litre or nothing, there
is a choice between D5 and
T6 drivetrains from Volvo’s
new low-consumption, Euro
6b rated Drive-E family. The
fi rst is a 165kW and 470Nm

twin-turbocharged diesel, the

second a 236kW and 400Nm

supercharged and turbocharged

petrol-burner. Both are

teamed with an eight-speed

automatic. The petrol/electric

hybrid T8, with average claimed

consumption of 2.1L/100km,

is priced at $122,900, in

Inscription spec and $124,900

as the R-Design.

The interior is this Volvo’s

greatest strength. It’s a pleasant

environment for driver and

passengers alike.

A huge 12.3-inch portrait-

oriented screen is the focus of

attention in an instrument panel

remarkable for its beautifully

clean design, premium materials

and absence of button clutter.

The 40/20/40 split-folding

second-row seat is broad and

comfortable and features both a

fore-and-aft slider and a built-in

child booster in the centre position.

Further rearward, the foldaway

third-row seats are suitable for

adults up to about 170cm tall and

are also easy to climb into.

There’s enough space for

schoolbags and shopping with

all seats occupied; with the

third-row seats stowed, cargo

capacity becomes vast.

Sensibly, the Swedes haven’t

attempted to make their heavy

SUV a sporty vehicle to drive.

The steering delivers little

feel for the road and there’s a

fair amount of body roll when

cornering.

Still, the XC90 can be placed

accurately into a corner and

doesn’t grow fl ustered when driven

on a winding road at a decent clip.

It’s calm, confi dent and capable

enough for its size and weight.

Air suspension is an option but

as is usually the case, it doesn’t

deliver a super-smooth ride at low

speeds, lacking compliance as it

compresses.

Most buyers will likely fi nd the

standard “Touring” setup does a

good enough job — and it does.

Although the new XC90 is

lighter than the old one, kerb

weights are a hefty 2100kg

and up. Still, neither engine

struggles. The D5 is a very fi ne

diesel; smooth, reasonably quiet

and nicely responsive. The twin-

turbocharged T6 petrol four brings

a noticeable jump in performance

but its growly eagerness isn’t as

sweet a match with the XC90’s

laid-back character.

The XC90 introduces two

new Volvo-developed safety

technologies. The fi rst is a

collision avoidance system that

prevents it being driven across the

path of an oncoming car.

The second innovation is

a group of seat, seatbelt and

airbag deployment features

designed to reduce injuries in a

run-off-the-road crash.

Stylish, roomy, safe, well-

priced and pleasant to drive, the

big Volvo works because, unlike

its rivals, it doesn’t try to be a

sports car. It’s brief is comfort,

luxury, space and safety. It fi ts

that brief very convincingly.

By John Carey

VOLVO XC90 FROM $93,900

Safety

ANCAP

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

S

THINGS WE LIKE

 Beautiful interior

 A true seven-seater

 Fuel-effi cient engines

 Sensible ride/handling compromise

 Super safety credentials

 Well priced and loaded

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

Unappealing four-cylinder noises

It’s overweight

Feel-free steering

SPEX (D5 MOMENTUM)

Made in Sweden

2.0-litre four-cylinder twin

turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/

all-wheel drive

165kW of power at 4250rpm/470Nm

of torque from 1750–2500rpm

0–100km/h in 7.8 seconds (claimed)

5.6L/100km highway; 6.3L/100km

city; CO 2 emissions are 152g/km

Warranty: Three years/unlimited

kilometres

Fuel tank capacity: 71 litres

Maximum towing weight: 2700kg

Standard: Seven airbags, stability

control, 19-inch alloy wheels, child

seat boosters, leather, four-zone air,

lane departure warning, automatic

emergency braking with pedestrian

avoidance, radar cruise, 360-degree

cameras, automatic reverse parking,

parking sensors, hill descent

control, automatic headlights

with automatic high beam, power

tailgate, Bluetooth, navigation

Redbook future values: 3yr: 53%;

5yr: 35%

compare with ...

Audi Q7, BMW X7, Mercedes GLS