Test drive Volvo XC90 2002 - 2006 SUV

Nimble mammoth

Reality does not so often embody our expectations, and this is probably for the better. The life of the queer, flowing under a doomed slogan, I spoke!, Predictable and therefore boring, although it guarantees authority in the eyes of others. Like it or not, the effect of surprise brightens up our existence.
 
Of course, disappointment is bitter a hundred times better if the surprise is pleasant. This is how it happened with Volvo XC90. Having seen enough photos, I hoped to meet the harsh and clumsy child of the north, thick -skinned and hardy. If you want, a mammoth reincarnation. The progress of the Scandinavian brand and the change in its image that happened over the past decade is worthy of all respect, but attempts to invade new market segments entail a lot of difficulties. Even eminent manufacturers do not always manage to avoid problems. Therefore, on Volvo and prepared for an off-road debut for so many years.
 
The first pancake came out with a cake! The car from the pictures is ridiculous, stooped, with eccentric headlights in life completely different! Interesting, attractive both in general and in private. Take a look at the disks pattern, designed in the style of the Maltese Cross, pay attention to the complex shape of the rear lights, to the plastic armor of the front bumper. Even wheel niches and thresholds are protected by plastic here. And how do you like the developed relief of the sidewalls? One hundred percent Volvo! Already a kind of head optics is perceived as the only possible option. The appearance is quite harmonious! And the specific short -legged architecture of the car is largely due to the presence of a full -fledged third row of seats.

  

The trunk XC90 is a special topic. The door consists of two horizontal wards, and if the upper open allows you to throw any little thing into the car, then the open lower one then interferes with it to reach it. But the cargo compartment is equipped in the highest category: all shelves, pockets, nets are provided. Even a steel grill, with sharp braking, protecting the passenger zone. In the floor of the trunk, two additional seats are stored in folded form, but to make out their whole event. Have to sweat.
 
But back to the salon. Let's get back in order to amuse the feeling of beauty. And let the bores whine arbitrarily about practicality, but the bright interior is super! Festively, easy, air! You get no less pleasure from the viewing of the situation. The design of the salon conquers the purity of lines, the freedom of planes and the integrity of forms. Subconsciously, there is confidence that all this economy will work without fail for many years. The central console, the steering wheel, the dashboard, the door handles are at least to the museum under the glass. For aesthetic perfection, even ergonomic shortcomings can be forgiven by them. For example, small digitization of devices or an unintelligible indication of climate control settings. But small mirrors on such an impressive car is an unacceptable thing.

  

The front seats are solid, electrified, but from the point of view of functionality they do not represent anything special. At the same time, seats of the middle row with a secret: the narrow central sector easily turns into a children's chair, in addition, a sliding. However, the family and safety of centuries have been Volvo shrines. And this time the Swedes jumped forward the planets of the whole, supplying the XC90 not one, but two stabilization systems. DSTC (Dynamic Stability & Traction Control) operates in the horizontal plane, holding the car on a given course, and RSC (Roll Stability Control), which prevents overturning of the SUV, runs. DSTC is made disconnected, but just why turn it off?
 
After all, neither street raising, nor a heavy off-road with a car showing such concern for their passengers from small to great, are not compatible. And the all -wheel drive scheme here looks more like a formality. 95% of the moment goes to the front wheels, when slipping through which, through the multi -disc clutch, the Haldex part of the moment is transferred to the rear axle. All forced locks, no lowering rows. Unless DSTC imitates these same locks, braking slipping wheels. On it only hope, when on the hillocks and potholes a short -flowing suspension strives to hang one or another wheel in the air.
 
But what does the XC90 do on a flat road! Such a lynet duet engine is still necessary to look for a box! The magnificent moment characteristic of the motor allows the machine to operate almost imperceptibly, without delays and shocks. The car reacts very quickly to the increase in fuel supply, without any difficulty accelerating at any speed. And this is despite the fact that there are only four transmissions in the GM automatic machine only such an unit fit with a transverse (!) In -line six. The box has one significant minus: when translated from P, the lever slips D and is manually MAN. Similar difficulties arise when leaving MAN, when the lever again flies D and enters N. An annoying oversight.

   

In the manual mode of the XC90 machine with its excellent brakes and habits of an ordinary station wagon allows you to forget, while you are a large vehicle. Yes, and the dimensions of the car are felt well. All this opens up the possibility of high -speed, but psychologically comfortable movement in the city line. In turns, the car is extremely fast and stable, and to obtain the title of ideal it does not get a little reliability of feedback and accuracy. However, we are talking about a passenger ideal, since Volvo is controlled by an order of magnitude better than the vast majority of SUVs. Touareg, Cayenne and X5 Here is a society where he stood to rotate. What works was the fraud of the running, if the car does not tire the stiffness of the move, and at the speeds of 150 km/h the driver does not keep in suspense!
 
For all its power, this Swedish giant requires the right attitude and understanding. Attempts to turn the XC90 into Defender are fruitless flimsy drum and sandy swells are alien to him, and he looks inappropriate in such a landscape. Pick up the body and get light upholstery with dirt? Well, there is no Volvo on the asphalt, solid ground or dense snow, then his mood will be positive, and you will not cease to be surprised at his obedience, energetic and nimble.
 

The car is provided by Volvo Cars Russia.
 

Text: Leonid Klyuyev
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [July 2003]