160712 Volvo XC90 T6 01
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Feann Torr27 Jul 2016
REVIEW

Volvo XC90 R-Design 2016 Review

Swedish SUV takes aim at the Germans and makes a compelling case for consideration

Road Test
Volvo XC90 T6 R-Design review

Has Volvo lost its marbles? It expects customers to fork over more than $100,000 for its new SUV! Admittedly, it's very attractive outside, luxurious inside, packed with loads of high-tech gadgetry and is rather splendid to drive. But it's not a Mercedes. Or a BMW. And it's got a tiny 2.0-litre engine. Can the Swedes convince buyers the XC90 is worth their hard earned?

It's big, it's bold and there's a lot to like about the Volvo XC90. It takes the idea of a luxury SUV – pioneered by cars like the Range Rover and the BMW X5 – and nudges it in a slightly different direction.

For starters, it's a bigger vehicle than the X5, longer and wider, ensuring the seven-seat Swedish SUV swallows pretty much anything you care to fling in its general direction.

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If you need a lot of room, the big Volvo will be worth a gander, and a powered tailgate with remote proximity operation is a nice touch. The latter is a worthwhile $975 option, handy when you're overloaded with grocery shopping.

Despite its considerable size, just 50mm shy of 5.0 metres long, the eye-catching Volvo feels nimble. Like a hungry dog, it's easy to manipulate. This is thanks to a sporty suspension tune, good power steering, a responsive engine and a sensor suite that would make the Pentagon blush.

Reverse parking the car is less terrifying than you'd think and, like many modern cars, it'll park itself automatically (but does anyone really use this?). Parallel parking the car is a little more intimidating, especially if you option the large 22-inch alloy wheels ($3850) like on our test vehicle.

Speaking of options, this car has around $20,000 worth of extras, taking the asking price to $121,225 before on-road costs are added. So this will essentially cost around $130,000 once dealer delivery and statutory charges are calculated.

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For that sort of coin you could get a very well-specified Audi Q7 with a beefy diesel engine, or a rip-snorting V8-powered Range Rover Sport.

So why would you choose this one? You probably wouldn't… But if you did, you wouldn't be disappointed. It's an incredibly competent vehicle that's been expertly engineered but it's also different. Refreshingly so.

This R-Design model on test has a sporty, contemporary exterior design with fancy LED lights in all the right places. But it's the interior of the car that really captures the imagination.

The Volvo XC90 does away with most conventional comfort and infotainment controls, such as fan speed dials and radio pre-set buttons. And you know what? It works brilliantly.

Getting what you want from the powerful infotainment system is easy thanks to one of the best touchscreens in the biz, a vertically-aligned layout lending itself to smartphone-inspired finger swiping, pinching, touching – all the kinky stuff.

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Together with supple leather seats – and rather sporty but supportive front pews – Volvo has executed one of the best interiors in the segment. And that's saying something when the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Range Rover are involved.

The instrument panel continues the digital theme, with a razzle-dazzle high-definition visualisation. Everything is very clear, very legible. Because it's all digitised, you can have your satellite navigation directions and maps displayed on the instrument panel too, and even via head-up display if you want.

Cornering LED headlights provide excellent night vision and things like a well-defined 360 degree camera system, autonomous emergency braking, and the reassurance of radar cruise control that works at traffic-jam speeds (in stop-start traffic) ensures you feel relaxed, not anxious, when driving.

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There are overt and covert safety systems, starting with frontal airbags, side airbags, and a driver knee airbag, along with second and third row inflatable curtains and a whiplash protection system. The car can detect pedestrians and cyclists as well as other cars, and brake automatically if required to avoid a collision. I didn’t get to test that feature, mercifully.

It's also a control freak. Cross Traffic Alert warns you of approaching cars when backing out of a tight car spot, driver alert control is an anti-fatigue system while roll-stability control, understeer control and corner-traction control – not to mention trailer-stability assist – help keep the wheels planted firmly on the ground in sketchy conditions.

There's an integrated child booster cushion in the second row and ISO-FIX and top-tether child seat mountings everywhere.

Volvo is on record as saying it won't build engines any bigger than 2.0-litres in size any more. Bold words. I've got mates who reckon only milk and juice should come in 2.0-litres, but the turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder donk in this car is a corker.

Buttery smooth from idle to redline, the engine is every bit the prestige operator. It feels more sophisticated and responsive than Volvo's diesel engines and far quieter at routine speeds.

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The 235kW/400Nm powerplant hauls the XC90's 1965kg bulk with ease – 0-100km/h is claimed at 6.5 seconds – accelerating swiftly when you need to boogie. But it's also rather efficient if you're not heavy on the gas pedal.

It'll lope along in higher gears – there's eight of them – sipping fuel at a miserly rate on the freeway. After a week of driving over 700km, the XC90 averaged 11L/100km.

It's not the claimed 8.5L/100km but it's more than reasonable considering its size and weight, and that it was fully loaded with passengers and gear most of the time.

If badge value matters – and for most buyers it does – the Volvo will be bottom of the shopping list when up against the significant cachet of other European SUVs. And when one first sees the Volvo XC90's considerable price-tag, one may almost choke on one's Darjeeling.

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But after spending a week in the XC90, loading it up with seven occupants, lugging loads and putting it through its paces with a full ensemble in tow, it came up trumps. The refined driving experience, the elevated view of the road, class-leading safety and competitive fuel economy all work in its favour, as does the lavish
interior.

In conclusion, Volvo has not lost its marbles. It may struggle to filch customers from the likes of BMW and other prestige brands, but those who do cross over won't be disappointed. It's a beautifully engineered vehicle with thoughtful integration of technology and it deserves to do well.

2016 Volvo XC90 R-Design pricing and specifications:
Price: $101,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo and supercharged petrol
Output: 235kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.0L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Audi Q7 (from $96,300 plus ORCs)
>> BMW X5 (from $82,900 plus ORCs)
>> Range Rover Sport (from $91,800 plus ORCs)

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Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
76/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
16/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
13/20
Safety & Technology
16/20
Behind The Wheel
16/20
X-Factor
15/20
Pros
  • Easy to operate
  • Integration of technology
  • Cabin space, fit and finish
Cons
  • It's not cheap
  • The badge ain't German
  • Replacing 22-inch tyres
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