VOLVO XC90 test drive since 2007 SUV

Nordic crossover, test drive updated Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 crossover has not been the first year, and in order to warm up the public interest, in 2007 the car has undergone a little modernization. At first glance, you will not understand what has become new in it. In order to refresh the appearance, the bumper will continue to be painted in the color of the body, like the side mirrors, the turning repeaters also moved to them. For solidity, chromium was added to the front of the protection and relings. The rear lights were somewhat modified. And before, a good basic equipment has become even richer. Now, when buying, you do not need to take care of inclusion in the list of bixenon, parking sensors, CD changer, rain sensor and other pleasant little things.
For the test we got a crossover and completely in the luxury version: with a light leather salon, automatic transmission, hatch and DVD system with two passenger monitors. The diesel engine, which is equipped with our Volvo, has become a novelty for the Russian market. With it, the XC90 accelerates to hundreds in 10.9 seconds and develops a maximum speed of 195 km/h.
We meet on clothes
At the wheel of Volvo - as a rule - a confident driver who does not seek to prove his superiority. They are not afraid of nineties on the roads, but respect.
XC90 the largest majority, but at the same time is perceived easier than classic crooks like Pajero or Grand Cherokee.
Red metallic in our country is a controversial choice. For me, a neutral color is more suitable for Volvo. Nevertheless, Red makes a large car more noticeable in the road flow plus in the safety piggy bank. What you pay attention to when considering Volvo is almost a work of art on beautiful wheels!
Despite the presence of many modern systems, Volvo is still costing a regular key with a built -in signaling key fob. Unfortunately, there is no contactless access. We unlock the doors and fall into the light salon, which immediately creates the mood. However, your legs have to be wiped especially carefully. Vilest material, in the tone of light skin, quickly gets dirty. We are sitting in chairs. Spacious. The front panel is tilted at an angle, which makes it convenient to access to numerous buttons. After a short time, you get used to their layout, but multifunctional competitors' manipulators look more modern.
The combination of devices is uncomplicated. Apparently, in order not to frighten the American housewives, on which marketers initially counted. What is openly starting to annoy: a solid tree, which is abundantly trimmed with a torpedo. It looks unnatural and resembles plastic. The steering wheel is also wooden, twisting it is inconvenient - slippery. Modern aluminum, which was finished previously tested C30, is preferable. But the optional high -class Dynaudio audio system is able to cheer up.
The rear passengers in Volvo are not deprived of attention. At their services, not only two monitors built into the headrests, but also individual headphones with remote controls. There are enough places, both for the legs and for the crown. And in the event that it is necessary to transport overall things, the seats are easy to fold. Access to the trunk is convenient, two -stage. First, we throw off the upper half of the door, and then lower the side. True, the floor level in the trunk was high impractical.
On your marks!
A five -cylinder turbodiesel on idle, especially if he is not heated, rubbed rather loudly, while the vibrations are transferred to the salon. However, the engine is not bad in the movement, the diesel engine is designed for lower speeds, so that on the course of noise it turns out even less than that of the gasoline version. I was pleased with a comfortable suspension that swallows all road flaws and brakes without hesitation. Subjectively - they are the best among the crossovers we tested. Despite the reagents and porridge on the roads, the slowdown is excellent. I missed the distance a little - you press the brake and wait for the absorption of ABS, but it is not all. The car continues to slow down effectively. The moment of blocking the wheels occurs very late. The merits of the coupling properties could be attributed to the tires, but no! Such rubber stood on previously tested cars, but for some reason such transparency of the brakes was not observed.
Despite the shedding steering, you find understanding with this car quite quickly. If you need to quickly get from point A to paragraph B. Though without a light, but safe. The stabilization system responds to the provocation of the drift decisively, but only after the steering wheel correction, allowing the tail to villy. Another active security system: Blis. It controls the sections of the road not covered by mirrors. In case of car is detected, in the cabin, from the corresponding side, an alarm light lights up. With a torn urban rhythm, the help is small, but on the highway it can be useful.
The automatic transmission has a winter mode in which the start becomes more smooth, plus the possibility of manual gear shift.
There is nothing to say about the cross -country ability of the XC90. A snowy plot to the cottage will most likely overcome, and borders in the city not a hindrance, but the tests are more serious - not for us. Front protection is a fake plastic, which saves before the first in a short -term solid obstacle. Also, the original crankcase defense cannot be put on diesel.
The drive mode is only one actually front. In the case of wheel slipping, the Haldex coupling will transfer the torque to the rear axle.
Despite the fact that in the past 2006 the XC90 became a bestseller, in the new year he will have to withstand serious competition. Soon Audi will enter the market with their Q5 and Mercedes GLK. Volvo will replace the crossover, most likely in 2009. However, XC90 is a vivid reflection of the Volvo concept. A car tuned for a comfortable and safe ride. It is unlikely that he will come out to call him boring, but years make themselves felt in some fundamental decisions.
Yaroslav Marshalkin
 
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru