Test drive Volvo XC90 2002 - 2006 SUV

Swedish standard

Volvo XC90 2.5 - for those who want to feel on the road, at home ...
 
If in a nutshell, then this car has an amazingly cozy salon and it is safe. Like all Volvo models. In my opinion, it is ideal for traveling with the whole family to any distances and in any weather. And the new gasoline engine with a 2.5 -liter with a capacity of 210 hp. Makes it the most affordable in the line of SUVs from Sweden. The starting price of $ 61,900 does not look too high, since we are talking about a large premium car.
 
Do not notice - you can't
 
The color, dear reader, is, by the way, the issue of not only beauty, but also security. The tested XC90 invariably attracted attention on the road, although this model is already well known in Russia. It's all about Ruby Red, ruby-red metallic. It is red cars according to statistics that are less likely to fall into an accident. For the simple reason that they stand out from the flow and are clearly visible. True, for such a color you will have to pay $ 820. And also lay out a thousand for 18-inch cast discs-standard this version is equipped with 17-inch, but also aluminum wheels. Otherwise, the XC90 2.5 is no different from its counterparts - the collected, elegant SUV, quite corresponding to the style and spirit of Volvo.
 
But if outwardly the SUV has, I would say, an aggressive and appropriate type of view, then the salon is friendly and friendly in the best sense of the word. The soft chair is ready to accept any complexion into its arms, and electrical adjustments installed in the car (+ $ 1242) allow you to quickly find a suitable landing. The interior is lovingly sheathed with beige leather (+ $ 1948), which goes well with inserts made of natural dark wood (+ $ 570). In the tested version, even a sports steering wheel was with a wooden rim (+ $ 256), which did not prevent it from taking the audio control buttons (+ $ 99) on it. For me, it is already superfluous - hands without gloves glide, but the tree emphasizes the luxury of the finis and the thorough of the development of parts. And not for racing, in fact, such a car is intended. By the way, the steering wheel is adjusted both in height and in departure, in any position without blocking the scale of the devices.
 
Ergonomics in general - on top. There are many buttons on the plut of the central console, but to understand them and press if necessary without looking at the right one, very simple. Because they are logical, and on each - an icon. Of course, the XC90 is already equipped with a separate climate control system. But for the pleasure of folding mirrors using an electric drive and for a children's lock (automatic blocking of the rear doors), it is required to pay $ 211 and $ 99, respectively. Personally, I would pay extra, because in the center of the city the mirror has to be folded often. And the second option is simply indispensable if there are children in the family, moreover, it is easier to press the button than to go out and use the switch in the end of the rear doors. In a word, caring for comfort is felt literally in everything. You can also, for example, connect a cell phone to an audio system. To do this, you only need to pull out the SIM card and insert it into a special slot on the central console. And use a lunch or a separate tube installed next to the cup holders.
 
Spacious and behind - there are plenty of legs, and the possibility of transforming the seats is great. They can be folded entirely or in parts, and in the luggage compartment I found two more chairs of the third row. By the way, five or seven -seater equipment does not affect the price of the machine. But it really affects the volume of the trunk, which decreases from 613 to 249 liters. In any case, the owner has an even floor, and the back door opening in parts (it is divided into the upper and lower block) facilitates loading.
 
The only thing I personally did not like is an audio system. Despite the fact that the Premium Sound Dolby Pro-Logic II (+ $ 1045) system was installed in the test car, the level of its sound, in my opinion, leaves much to be desired. I would recommend not to pay extra for the Premium audio system, but to opt for the most affordable version and already independently understand the car with worthy columns, amplifier and subwoofer. Nevertheless, in a car of this class and sound should be at the highest level. Yes, and it would be nice to have a light sensor so that there is no need to independently turn on the headlights.
 
AKP - for calm people
 
If someone tells you, the reader, that the turbocharged 5-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.5 liters is weak for such a machine-do not believe. Acceleration to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds - this is very good for almost a two -ton car. Unless, of course, you do not confess the high -speed driving style, but count on the usual movement, especially with the family. 210 forces are enough for confident driving both around the city and on country highways. Thanks to the low pressure turbine, most of the torque is available at low speeds, so the acceleration is quite decent. At the same time, the power unit provides a fairly flat thrust, with a small capture in the region of 3500 rpm.
 
In the case of a test car, alas, alas, spoiled the machine. 5-speed automatic transmission (+ $ 1550), I will say this-in American is thoughtful. At the start, when the gas pedal is in the floor, some pause occurs. Then the engine honestly spins to the limit of 6,000 rpm, and the automatic transmission quickly moves to the next step. But it is worth loosening the pressure on the accelerator, as the electronics will immediately switch to one, or even two steps up, and the tachometer arrow will drop to 2000 rpm. In principle, such an algorithm for the work of the box is justified - manufacturers should still take care of fuel saving.
 
By the way, the appetite of the XC90 is not childish. As usual for the purity of the experiment, taking the car from the dealer site, I diverted the readings of the on -board computer, and after three days it showed a consumption of 18.9 liters per 100 km. True, at the same time it is worth taking into account three circumstances. Firstly, Moscow traffic jams. Secondly, my driving style, which certainly does not imply fuel saving. And finally, do not forget that we are talking about a large and heavy SUV with all -wheel drive transmission, and even with studded rubber on disks. However, back to the automatic transmission.
 
Electronics, moving to an increased step, does not readily switch down with a slight press on the gas pedal. So it was often necessary to recover the pedal to the floor in order to get proper acceleration. That is, if the machine is adapted to driving style, this is not too noticeable. There is no sport mode, there is only Winter, but it is relevant only in winter, when driving in snow or ice. The positive point is that you can manually move from one step to another. This changes the matter, but, as the reader guesses, leads to a sharp increase in fuel consumption. Which I proved using a computer.
 
Meanwhile, all these claims to the automatic transmission make sense only if the driver is used to traveling quickly and aggressively. A person is calm or above all over all family values, including the safety of those who are near him, such a automatic box settings will be arranged quite. Also, the settings of suspensions should also taste. Quite soft, they, of course, are tangibly roll the body in turns, but the pits and bumps remain for the driver and his passengers almost invisible. XC90 is also standardly equipped with NIVOMAT shock absorbers, which automatically level the body and leave the clearance unchanged, regardless of the degree of loading of the car.
 
With a straightforward movement, even at high speed, the Volvo SUV demonstrates excellent stability. With an increase in speed, an effort on the steering wheel also grows - thanks to a hydro -steamer with alternating effort, which, surprisingly, is an option (+ $ 250). Perhaps, with active drive in the steering wheel with such an amplifier, it is slightly lacking, but it cannot be said that this creates any difficulties. But with the brakes of the Volvo XC90, everything is just great - to the best of the hard pedal allows you to clearly control the slowdown, and the power of the calipers with more than enough, even if you have to besiege the car at high speed until a complete stop.
 
To the joy of all normal people and, unfortunately for the test pilot, during meeting with XC90, real spring finally came to Moscow. It was not possible to fully check how the all -wheel drive transmission behaves. However, some nuances are still obvious. With the usual mode of movement of the XC90 - a typical front -wheel drive car, the rear wheels enter the work only when the front slipping. Electronics, if necessary, immediately activates all the resources of the car, including the DSTC stabilization system. So, already at the first sharp start from the traffic light, it was worth a little to turn the wheels on the front axle, the computer immediately connected the rear wheels. You feel the like on the bends. You turn the steering wheel, add gas, and somewhere in the middle of the turn you feel that part of the torque was directed back, and the demolition of the front axis began to appear immediately extinguished. The main thing is not to overdo it at speed, otherwise you can get a skid, which will have to be eliminated by the steering wheel for discharge of gas, which, in turn, can lead to sliding out of turn. And this is not the most pleasant prospect on city streets. On the other hand, everything happens surprisingly predictable and understandable. Moreover, the line behind which the loss of stability occurs is groping for almost immediately. In the most extreme cases, DSTC will enter into business, capable of slowing down one or more wheels and return the controllability to the SUV. But, to be honest, riding a foul is not for the XC90 2.5. I just want cars on this - with pleasure and confidence - to roll on the roads with your beloved family or in another good company, knowing that a mental evening awaits you.
 
Equipment
 
So, prices for Volvo XC90 2.5 begin at 61,900 dollars. A car that visited the test was nevertheless more significantly more expensive. In addition to the options already listed in the text, he had a cruise control (+ $ 445), bi-ksenon headlights (+ $ 750), a parking sensors (+ $ 500), laminated side glasses (+ $ 1300), original rugs (+ $ 114), two blocks Audiosystem management from rear places and nests for connecting headphones (+ $ 157). As a result, the price increased to 75,611 dollars. Nevertheless, Volvo is still more affordable than cars of many competitors in similar trim levels.
 
Text: Andrey Osipov

    
Brief technical characteristics of Volvo XC90 2.5
Engine volume, cubic meter. See 2521
The number of valves per cylinder 4
Power, l. With. at about./min. 210/5000
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min. 320/1500
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p. 9.5 (9.9)
Maximum speed, km/h 210
The average fuel consumption l./100 km. 9.6 (12.9)
The volume of the fuel tank, l. 70
Car mass, kg 1982
Dimensions, mm. 4798x1898x1743
  
In brackets are given data for the version with automatic transmission

 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 8 (76), 2005]