Volvo XC90 Review

Volvo XC90 T6

Then there is Roll Stability Control - with a higher centre of gravity than a conventional car, the risk of rolling an SUV is higher in extreme/avoidance manoeuvres. In order to help reduce the risk of a rollover situation, the Volvo XC90 is equipped with an active stability-enhancing system known as Roll Stability Control (RSC). This system uses a gyro-sensor to register the car's roll speed and roll angle. Using this information, the terminal angle is instantly calculated and thus reduces the rollover risk.

If the calculated angle is so great that there is an obvious risk of rolling over, the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) anti-skid system is activated. DSTC responds by reducing the engine's power and by braking one or more wheels as necessary until the car under steers and stability is regained.

RSC is the only active stability-enhancement system on the market to measure the car's roll angle. It was developed jointly by Volvo and Ford Motor Company.

Should you suffer from a roll over the full-length inflatable curtain will help protect all occupants. This is backed up with dual stage airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, who also benefit from side airbags.

This all helps the XC90 receive a Euro NCAP rating of 5 stars - Euro NCAP stated that the XC90 side impact results were ‘well balanced and among the lowest seen by Euro NCAP so far. The seat-mounted thorax and abdominal airbag and head-protecting curtain worked well to safeguard the driver in the side impact and the pole test. The curtain bag also protects occupants in the mid and rear seats’.

Security wise the car is protected by an electronic immobiliser, an alarm and the door locks are also protected. We particularly liked the follow me home headlights simply press a button on the remote control and the headlights come on, great for those of us who live in the country.

Therefore we have to award the XC90 5 stars for safety and security.

Comfort and Refinement

We cannot think of a better place to be or to have our families in when touring and going about our everyday business.

All 7 seats are excellent - we spent nearly 10 days solid either behind the wheel or as passengers in the XC90, without any discomfort - the seats are absolutely perfect. Again, Volvo has set the benchmark (excuse the pun) in seat design.

The Climate Control kept the perfect temperature in the car, even on the hottest days and filters those nasty exhaust fumes and smells out of the cabin.

At night, the optional Bi-Xenon headlights cut through the darkness and the auto dimming rear view mirror stops you being dazzled by fellow motorists.

The XC90 is a very easy vehicle to drive and is near car like to manoeuvre, the parking sensors were most welcome when parking.

The XC90 fulfilled its purpose as the perfect touring car - we could all see out and we could all fit in. We felt cosseted and comforted by Volvo’s legendary passive and pro-active protection systems. The XC90 AWD (all wheel drive) system simply topped off this feeling, which was most welcome in the heavy rain we faced on holiday.

How It Looks - Exterior

Peter Horbury the chief designer of the XC90 has managed to retain the Volvo family DNA, whilst giving the XC90 a unique identity. He describes it as 'masculine, but not macho; muscular, but not aggressive'. A sentiment that we would agree with, the XC90 is gently rounded with elegant lines and pronounced shoulders. It has a distinctive V-shaped bonnet and characteristic Volvo rear lights.

We have awarded the exterior 5 stars, as we could find absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Volvo XC90