Volvo XC90 – not just the safest SUV on the market

By Miles Downard

What is it?

Volvo has always been in the premium-ish SUV game. I mean the XC90 has been around for donkey’s years now (since 2002 to be precise) but hasn’t ever quite made the impact that their rivals to the south have managed.

But that’s all about to be turned on its head because this new XC90 has been given a complete overhaul. Basically every part is spanking new; from the stunning bodywork to the actual platform, the engines and tech-packed interior, even the badge is fresh.

Read also: SA motor journalist’s car of the year – Volvo XC90. Is it a deserved winner?

On the outside

It’s striking in a way that I don’t think any Volvo has been before it – or at least not in my lifetime. There’s a distinct Swedish-ness about the overall design philosophy that is terribly refreshing in a sea of brutish Germans – and that goes despite its rather large proportions. Needless to say, I like it, a lot. In fact I happened to drive past the new Audi Q7 during my week with the Volvo and thought to myself, “Wow that’s ungainly.”

On the inside

That Swedish influence continues strongly on the inside of the XC90. Everything is beautifully minimal yet completely functional. The swivelling starter knob kicks off the out-of-the-box thinking that carries into the huge touch screen command centre that dominates the centre dashboard area. It’s intuitive, much like an iPad and performs basically all the tasks you’d want from a touch screen in-car system – and none that you wouldn’t. The dials are all digital which means you can customise all kinds of information as the driver, some of which can be displayed on the head up display as well. Very neat.

Then there’s the space. There’s loads of it, thanks mainly to the fact that Volvo employs a transverse engine arrangement. That equates to lots of the vehicle’s length being used for the interior, rather than engine bay. Of course there are 7 seats in the XC90, all of which I’d happily sit in for a long trip.

Behind the wheel

Sensibly this family SUV majors on comfort. The handling isn’t bad, but the ethos is definitely relaxed. Steering is feel-less but there’s not too much roll or understeer, and as it’s AWD it has good traction on wet roads.

Under the bonnet lies a 2.0 litre turbocharged motor that produces 187kW and 350Nm with an eight speed automatic ‘box. It’s a peach. Smooth as soft butter. There are diesel and hybrid options too, not to mention a turbo-and-supercharged petrol unit which will no doubt be just as good. What’s more is that the XC90 is undoubtedly the safest SUV on the roads at the moment, surpassing Euro NCAP’s 5 start requirements with ease. In fact so advanced is the safety that the tests aren’t yet good enough to fully measure the XC90’s capability.

Pricing

My XC90 R-Design T5 came in at near R1 million on the pricelists after adding all the fancy bits. That’s about the same price as its German rivals before you start adding options.

Verdict

I can see why the XC90 was awarded South African Car of the Year. It moves the segment forward from a safety perspective, but is also just such a nice car to live with everyday.

Price: R 1 002 250
Engine: 1969cc turbocharged four cylinder petrol
Power (kW): 187
Torque (Nm): 350
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 8.2
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 7.6 (claimed)
Service: 5yr/100,000km maintenance plan