Test drive Volvo XC90 2002 - 2006 SUV

Lux class crossovers

They appeared somehow suddenly. It seems to be recently, but have already become familiar. Now a solid manufacturer is simply obliged to have a luxury-impeller in its lineup. So Volvo appeared XC 90. And the Lexus RX 300 of the second generation obviously suggests itself in competitors from new products.
The appearance of crossovers, or large SUVs, is one of the brightest examples of mixing genres. In this case, the SUV is crossed with sportsmen. Moreover, as a result of the formation of the new breed of the dignity of the first and second, the deficiencies should be multiplied. It can be said that the Superior Superior Speech result is a truce after the long military operations of the armies of designers, designers, technologists, marketers, etc. And in domestic conditions, when the life of many wealthy and very rich people is connected with trips to the country, hunting, objects, tram tracks, Moscow snowdrifts, crossovers what is needed.
Having chosen the American Swede and the Japanese American (or, if you want, on the contrary, but their main US market), we deliberately narrowed the choice according to the criteria for the time to appear on the market (recent) and the volume of the engine (3-liter). Although Volvo has 272 hp Against the Lexus 204s, the dynamic parameters of the engines are close. Lexus has 200 km/h and 9.9 s to hundreds of 210 and 9.3. Volvo is heavier and more large (7 people). Both of them are all -wheel drive, but RX 300 is constantly, but the XC 90 with connecting the rear wheels through the Haldex coupon. Both are without a lowering gear.
DYNAMICS
Despite the dry numbers in the columns of the technical data, Volvo marks the place more sharply and gains speed without sharp changes in traction, the turbine is not intensively and confidently. The motor is deafly bought, but the plastic finish does not resonate in response. When moving in the stream, a 6-cylinder in a row motor is easy to twist with the operational reaction of the box and switching down. On the highway and even a heavy and stable machine itself rushes forward.
 
The only noted inconvenience was the inclusion of the manual mode of the machine. You constantly get into it when you quickly translate the lever from P to D. Another step is closer to yourself and a little to the left the selector is in the +/- sector. You do not notice this, and, having roared the first, the turnover rests on the limiter. Crossing, returning the lever to D.
Lexus is different. Similar to the ancestor RX 300 of the first generation. Unhurried and thoughtful in sensations. But this is an illusion: behind smoothness and lack of jumps, dynamic and confident acceleration is hidden. Switching here is really longer than that of a competitor, especially down, using Kick-Down.
An indisputable advantage of the novelty from Lexus should be called perfect acoustics. On the idle engine is not heard at all, only on the devices it works. And at speed, the motor, if it sings, is quiet and melodious. But the wind does not whistle at all CC \u003d 0.33!
Still, by responsiveness with this, the V6 Lexus is optimal for a mature driver. The very philosophy of the machine is nothing sharp and rude with the simultaneous soft care of overloads.
 
CONTROLLABILITY
Volvo, and Lexus manageability behave completely differently. If XC 90 is a high -speed boat, predictable, light, but slightly sorted by the environment, then RX 300 is similar to traditional computer games such as drives. The product of high technology: absolutely impassive, even cold-explicit, extremely rational.
The first thing you notice when setting speed is poured with a weight is a tight steering wheel, and after 100 km/h it already seems that there is no hydraulic wrap on the machine. And knocking it off the trajectory with a random awkward movement of the hand is completely difficult. But we slow down to 60-70, and the strengthening is again comfortable, urban.
Lexus trump card pneumatic suspension, which is installed as an option. It is convenient to climb into the crowning crew, without lifting his legs in a jam. This is a low position, if you do not even go into details about the conformity of possible levels of landing by high -speed modes, it also serves a good service with a quick passage of a winding road. The car does not occupy the car. And in the most raised position, RX perfectly envelops all the irregularities. Although the unreasonable Volvo has its own advantage with thick and strong arcs that protect the thresholds.
Modern expensive cars are unthinkable without electronic stabilization systems. But the Japanese VSC strangles the song much earlier than we would like. At least to me. Again, everything is against the Americans against the fool. In order for individual illiterate Yankees, having flew out by mistake from the highway, they do not acquire lawsuits against the manufacturer, Lexus, actively entering the turn, begins to crunch with brakes and as if it is getting stuck. Again, it looks like how the car flew from the highway to a gravel on virtual races. In Volvo, similar qualities are not so clearly expressed.
When moving along the crossed terrain, we obviously did not overestimate the estimated bar above the parquet level, because both competitors, possessing good geometry and considerable power supply, do not have any additional jeep functions compared to ordinary cars. But subjectively Volvo, despite the fact that the rear axle is connected only through Haldex on demand, it is better to rush on sand and dirt. Lexus is more tender, toss and sour faster, and ... it is sorry to ruin it! Some kind of refined, not rural.
 
And immediately you note on both machines a capacious, elastic work of pendants to compress and a sharp shock move for hifts with a quick passage of small and medium irregularities. This does not increase comfort.
ERGONOMICS
By the internal volume of Volvo and Lexus, two absolutely non -parallel worlds. And both bright representatives of their corporate style.
Getting into the Volvsky salon, you feel the same as in the usual S60 and S80: thick doors and massive seats, a large -sized instrument panel. Although there are a lot of buttons, but somehow you immediately hit them, without thinking. Yes, and convenient: for example, the famous trio of blowing up, down, in the face. On the beard, the rear door fixation button against children's pranks. You can’t call an ascetic atmosphere, rather quite self -sufficient, unloaded.
Lexus, in contrast, a product of excessive luxury, wealth. When the ignition is turned on, the optitron magically breaks out. In parallel with this, the steering column quickly and silently drives down and closer: at first she modestly let her master into the rightful place. The side mirrors are equally dutifully lowered to the eyes when the rear transmission of the automatic transmission is turned on.
The lever of the box, by the way, grows from a beard, and not from the tunnel, it is more convenient for them to operate. But the discord of black buttons in black and shiny in shiny did not please: information content is low.
Both cars, if you did not have time to fasten, will be deposited by a documentary zummer. But if Lexus sounds acceptable, then Volvo starts quietly, and then cuts the pylical for its entirety. It, of course, is correct, for the general benefit, it is invented, but it hurts the nerves.
But the widest front racks of the XC 90, and even crowned with mirrors in their most massive, lower, units, really create certain inconvenience. You sit behind the wheel quite low, so the dead zone where a whole bus will easily hide is painfully great. You have to bend your neck to make sure that there is no interference.
 
PRACTICALITY
The type of car itself suggests that the crossover is the top of convenience and practicality. That our test really confirms.
How, for example, the third row of seats is deftly laid out in Volvo, lurking under the flat and low floor of the trunk! Pillows leave easily, the backs rise. In all three rows, the ventilation nozzles are directed, and there is even an adjustment. The Swedish concern for the baby, who has the most safe place in the middle of the sofa of the second row, has also been pleased with traditionally. A dense pad with a seat belt goes up, and sitting a small passenger is convenient and safe. And the parents are calm.
Lexus trump card of the opening and even closing (!) C luggage covers. The fifth door is controlled from the remote control and saves the owner of the need to pull the heavy and sometimes dusty transom himself.
Both cars under the label of the trunk have small closed containers for storing trifles so that they do not fly along the cabin. As an option in the Swedish machine, a heavy grille of thick rods is installed in the Swedish machine. They say that for the dog, or so that the load does not shift forward, but, in my opinion, the mother of the criminal cannot be cut off.
It is difficult to compare top luxury models. Much depends on the meticulousness of the look, and on the personal addictions of the evaluating. Lexus saw us as a kind of perfect refined object, whose image does not allow you to use extraordinary solutions. Volvo is more charismatic and rather, lovers will have to stand out of the crowd. But for this originality you will have to lay out the extra $ 10,000.
OUTSIDE:
The design of the new Lexus is more dynamic and mobile, and the Volvo style is reasonable and measured. Recognition of both competitors at altitude. True, in the style of the Swedish car, family features are noticeable, which is characterized by the XC 90 with passenger models S60 and S80, and the Japanese only trembles the bright appearance of the previous three hundredth RX. The silhouettes vary very much. The Lexus wedge is perceived by a dynamic hatchback, and for seasonal movements of the family to the country, the car is clearly not intended. But Volvo is suitable for the role of a station wagon in all respects, there are even upper luggage rinings. The practicality of XC 90 is visible in everything: at least take a look at the scattering of black plastic linings, which adorns all critical places on the body.
Lexus RX 300 is a dynamic and rapid style light and not obsessive. The design is successful, which indicates the sequence and correctness of the chosen strategic style line.
Volvo XC 90 high -quality and thorough design, honestly reflecting the nature and purpose of the car.
 
INSIDE:
Inside, complete identity external differences. In the instrument panels, Lexus is dominated by a new -fangled Toyota SUVs style of a music machine in which the composition and finish of the central console is solved, and the Volvo style almost Bang & Olufsen. Purely, stylish and really resembles expensive household radio equipment. The sports spirit of cars is emphasized by light three -spoke rudders and a luxurious three -column combination of Lexus devices. The finish is also sports, and a stylish cocktail of thinnest leather, high -quality plastic, wooden inserts and aluminum linings works perfectly on this image.
Lexus RX 300 Love of Japanese stylists for every little thing is visible everywhere, and even the abundance of wooden decoration does not interfere with this.
Volvo XC 90 is a traditionally restrained and pure Scandinavian design, everything is stylish and very modern.
Text Vladimir Smirnov photo Alexander Nozdrin
 

Source: Cars