Test drive Volvo XC90 2002 - 2006 SUV

Three in the boat

I have the memories of special warmth with Volvo XC90: last fall I went to Weekend with Volvo to catch the last sunny days of the smoothly passing terrible leap year.
 

MASTER
Kirill Brevdo
deputy Chief Editor

Then we were a whole crowd of journalists on the XC90 from Krasnodar to Adler, but it was simpler: 210-horsepower 2.5T and a bituural T6 about 272 horses. And here is a whole V8. Even more powerful, even more expensive! Even better?

 

Yes, everything is the same. At least the offhand of visible improvements, neither outside nor in the cabin, I do not observe. Schildik V8 is this improvement? But the tube for confidential conversations in the salon is a thing: I will not remember that such was on those of my autumn cars! And the rest is the same XC90. Not too old, but quite kind. With a stylish interior of expensive materials and potential seven -month.

  

To tell the truth, the difference in power between T6 and V8 will be difficult to feel. Especially for those who did not drive these cars before. In fact, this machine for those who need the most. And nonpodne volvo. Because the T6, which costs $ 15 thousand cheaper, cannot be called a poor machine. Fifteen thousand dollars! You just think about it! Is it really plus 43 forces and minus two and a half seconds to hundreds of a half kilobax? For me not. It is better to buy Focus with a machine gun. Or a mistress. The one who deserves more.
 
And what can competitors offer without loss in prestige and energy supply? The five hundredth Mercedes-Benz ML with an eight-cylinder engine is cheaper than a hundred thousand dollars in principle, as well as Range Rover. Yes, and the BMW X5 4.4i with the V8 costs no less. So against their background, the Volvo XC90 V8 with its own from $ 87,900 looks extremely edible! About the same amount will be asked for the new Range Rover Sport. However, there are more profitable offers: for example, Volkswagen Touareg V8 (from $ 77 095). Yes, and just the Land Rover Discovery 3 V8 is no less respected than Volvo, a car, and it costs even cheaper: prices start from $ 66,900. Almost for nothing!
 

It seems to me that no matter how the XC90 is positioned, the volvodzhip does not reach the level of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Neither by image, nor in terms of technology, nor on refinement. And when compared with other cars, then VW and LR are still a much greater extent SUVs than a purely parquet Volvo. What is more interesting to you?
 

To buy this car, you need to dream of Volvo all your life and have a V8 itself. For everyone else, a turbocharged XC90 will be a more reasonable choice. Great car! Or do you seriously believe that someone will look for the treasured badges on the trunk of your beautiful Volvo?
 

DRIVER
Leonid Klyuyev
chief Editor

It seems to me that the Russian representative office of Volvo Cars should be puzzled by certification of a completely different modification of its SUV. Diesel. It is no secret that the main competitors of the XC90 Discovery 3 and Grand Cherokee are sold well with us in diesel versions. But the Volvo brand has recently been redeemed in premium brands, and therefore other figures are assigned to the opponents of the XC90. You have already guessed this BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which are in demand just in expensive trim levels with powerful engines. The Volvo XC90 V8 guns are aimed at them.
 

No words, the car is fast. Very fast. But without crazy, like, for example, Audi Allroad 4.2 with its hypersensitive accelerator. The only incontinence that the XC90 can afford to custody from the next traffic light to squeak with tires for goodbye. However, this Volvo impresses not so much a slight and powerful start as with its protracted acceleration, which retains the pace even when reaching high speeds. Throwing the speedometer arrow from 100 to 150 is easier for it than from 50 to 100.

 

True, it will not be possible to squeeze more than 210, but this is not a consequence of a sudden attack of anemia, but the violence of an electronic limiter. Clinically preoccupied with security, the Swedes considered that the SUV, with its increased center of gravity, should not ride so quickly. For the American market, the maximum speed was generally lowered to 190 km/h. And this despite the presence of a DSTC stabilization system and the RSC turning system. So, they do not trust the driver.

  

Well, okay. The main thing is that the driver can completely trust this powerful Volvo. After all, what is the most important in any machine with power for three hundred horses? Of course, brakes. And they are excellent here, not requiring any addiction. He sat down and went. There are no complaints about the gearbox, and it cannot be: with a multi -liter engine, any machine will be a rogue. The XC90 is somewhat rigidly undergoing large irregularities, but this is the price of reasonable rolls in corners and very confident for a high and heavy handling car. So the clumsy volvo remains only in the parking lot when it is found that the radius of the turn is too big.

  

If we talk about the emotional component, then outside the straight track the eight -cylinder XC90 is unlikely to seem gambling. In other situations, this is a solid, cozy and obedient car with a soft character. Full -wheel drive and decent road clearance make it not only a pleasant, but also a practical companion. Volvo XC90 The rare case when the car, remaining prestigious, does not impose on some kind of programmed line of behavior with its reputation.
 

ESTHETE
Nikolai Svistun
editor of the heading

The Volvo XC90 caught my eye for two years and I have not actively like all these two years. I do not like all this coolness of it, round -the -rudeness, naspokevity and through pipe -pipe. Therefore, everything following will be purely subjective. Editorial opinion may not reflect the views of the author.
 

It’s not that I have not seen the XC90 of this test as I said, this product has been present in our life for two years. But I had never thought before: why did I suddenly have such a negative in relation to this really good and solid car?

 

AT from, for example, this test, with a V8 4.4 lice engine. I know very well that it is worth removing orange inscriptions from its sides (revive, isn't it?), And it will look like a granite blank, which has yet to remove all the extra (Michelangelo’s recipe) so that the car finally gets. Now it looks like a sprinter in retirement: it is still torn forward at the signal of the starting pistol, but the laid back does not allow to rise from the chair. I repeat, I'm talking about appearance. With the dynamics of acceleration of this pensioner, order (V8!), But in general it is to our main is his diocese, not mine.

  

The XC90 appeared three years after the main legislator of the mod in the SUV segment-no-in-koem-service-no-shocking Axfalt BMW X5. The Bavarian success recipe seemed simple to complete genius: a highly tilted windshield, a long hood, abruptly breaking off on one side and smoothly flowing into the roof on the other. Chromewood edging of lateral glazing, a windows raised behind. General tilt on the front wheels.

  

What did you add to Volvo? Of course, shoulders. It is unlikely that they are to blame for the fact that the XC90 turned out to be so heavy: you can blame small wheel arches and bending the side lines of the body (as if the car has visited two trucks), and the head optics (who is he asked, wandered away?), And specifically this copy also has a grandmother's chipper. Have you seen X5 with such a chrome bracket system? Me not. But I remember how I first saw the XC90. It was in Dubai, and he was white.

  

A disgusting sight.
Believe me, black is much better.
 

Autography
Volvo XC90
There is no predecessor
Prototype Volvo ACC Concept (2001)
Volvo S80 platform
Premiere November 2001
Body station wagon
Engines 2.4-4.4 l (163-315 l.
Production of Sweden
Expected replacement 2009
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 93/2005]