VOLVO XC90 test drive since 2007 SUV

In the grip of instincts

Big. Prestigious. Powerful. The new BMW-X5 challenges Audi-Q7. And for the struggle to become sharper, the updated volvo-XC90 was added to the most powerful 8-cylinder versions of the German all-around. The impressions are shared by Mikhail Gzovsky. Photo: Alexander Kulnev.
 
Volvo XC90
He made his debut in Europe in 2003, in 2006 he underwent restyling and received an engine with a volume of 3.2 liters.
Engines: gasoline 3.2 l (238 hp) and 4.4 l (315 hp), diesel 2.4 liters (163 hp). Gearboxes: 6-speed, mechanical or automatic.
Configurations: individual.
The price of basic versions: 1 444 800 - 2 380 500 rubles. ($ 58 500 - 96 400).
Audi Q7
It was presented at a car dealership in Frankfurt in the fall of 2005. In Russia, he debuted in early 2006.
Engines: gasoline 3.6 liters (280 hp), 4.2 l (350 hp), diesel 3.0 l (233 hp).
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic.
Configurations: individual.
The price of basic versions: 1 901 900 - 2 815 800 rubles. ($ 77,000 - 114,000).
BMW X5
The second generation of the model was presented at the end of 2006, in Russia on sale since 2007.
Engines: gasoline 3.0 liters (272 hp), 4.8 l (355 hp), diesel 3.0 (231 hp).
Gearboxes: 6-speed automatic.
Configurations: individual.
The price of basic versions: 2 275 000 - 2 905 000 rub. ($ 92 100 - 117 600).
Self -preservation
The cliche of almost the safest cars in the world has firmly glued to the Scandinavian models. As you know, legends do not die. Surrender a hundred motorists today, the good half of the Volvo is associated with safety.
So on the site dedicated to XC90, the section of functions and equipment opens the paragraph about active and passive safety, in which two dozen positions. It is not surprising that, having climbed to the driver's place, you feel protected from head to toe. This applies to the whole family: it is not for nothing that the middle part of the rear seat is transformed into a children's chair!
At the wheel of Volvo-XS90, I was so often thinking about security that the idea became obsessive. Probably why I did not fully use the potential V8. And the next morning I literally forced myself and show the car at the landfill a quick circle.
The wooden steering wheel is not very convenient in grip, on the flat back of the seat you glide in the bend, the machine is slightly conceived when switching to a reduced gear. True, honestly holds the selected step in manual mode. The engine, self-confident when accelerating at half-pea, near maximum revolutions, went into such a displeased ringing that it was difficult to expect from a solid 8-cylinder unit.
Winter does not allow a full measurement cycle. According to our estimates, XC90 accelerates to 100 km/h in eight with a little seconds. Not bad. But straightforward acceleration is not at all a synonym for controllability. Volvo is inclined to validity, reacts to the steering wheel with a noticeable delay. The unknown stabilization system is cutting, like a strict elementary school teacher, I don’t want to anger it once again.
Or maybe, well, this speed, since even the maximum speed was limited to 210 km/h. Why tension and twig? Yes, and the inner voice mutters: the fundamental rule of safe driving is to move not faster than the flow. With lateral vision, I notice the burning light bulb of the BLIS system, indicating that in the neighboring row there is an invisible car that has fallen into the dead zone of rear -view mirrors. The leg itself releases the accelerator pedal - I give up. Better not to experience on the effectiveness of numerous electronic systems, and trust the instinct of self -preservation. To his own and volvo-XS90.
Self -sufficiency
This can be envied. They are not bored alone with themselves, they will cope with any task on their own and will not ask others about the favor. It seems that Audi managed to build a self -sufficient car.
The driver feels like in a passenger car. Neither landing nor visibility are forced to strain. The back (and everything below) is delighted with excellent seats; The eye is Alcantara and the muffled splendor of aluminum. Beautiful devices are calling to launch the motor rather. Eight with a volume of 4.2 liters and a capacity of 350 hp. It does not need performances. It sounds fervently, and in combination with an equally well-proven 6-speed box, is ready for a lot. But the audi is heavy - the equipped mass by a quarter of more than a ton more than that of Volvo and BMW. Because of this, Audi loses accelerated disciplines, despite the perfectly configured box.
The steering is with its specificity. The dense body of the Q7 is obeyed by a sharp steering wheel from under the stick. The trajectory correctly reacts as sluggish as Volvo, but Lenza is noticeable. Most likely, this is due to the settings of the air suspension, which allows to vary the lumen in the range of 200-275 mm (the data of our measurements with tires 275/45R20). Audi goes to the serpentine clearly and, most importantly, predictably, clearly conveying reactive effort to the steering wheel. The vestibular apparatus suggests that we are close to the edge. So it is - the back axis goes into the skid, which suppresses electronics.
And what will the passengers say? They do not have much business to the fact that Q7 is inferior in sprint to opponents. But on the back sofa you can straighten the knee joints and relax. Above the heads of the sitting two hatches, the larger of which is full -fledged - sliding. The smoothness and sound insulation in the audi are the best. Moreover, in this configuration, the Q7 will accommodate in addition to the driver there are still six. A pair of uncomplicated movements, and the third row of seats appears in the trunk. Volvo also has such an option, but not everyone can use it here. In a Swedish car, even a teenager will be closely on a gallerine, while he will ask the sitting in the second row to move away. He, of course, will not refuse, but to go like that - real flour, tried!
Unlike Volvo, Audi is a full -fledged seven -seater station wagon. Here, in the third row, they will be shedding, although not very comfortable, even two adults, without constraining those ahead. True, I would not agree to go on a long road on a gallery
Here is such a car: soft, but very obedient, solid, but friendly and practical. In a word, self -sufficient.
SURVIVAL
Simultaneously with the premiere of BMW-K5, tuning firms filled the editor with promising press releases: the fastest x5 of all time!; We will make your BMW unique. As practice shows, in this area they vigilantly monitor the interests of buyers. Many are eager to get the new X5. BMW is a synonym for survival in the current turbulent world. Not only the image, price and dimensions are solid, but, of course, the driving potential!
A car with a 4.8 liter engine demonstrates remarkable agility: it gains speed, easily ahead of both Volvo and Audi. In order to listen to the low, with a hoarseness, the sound of an eight -cylinder engine that never loses self -control, put your hand on a bizarre curved machine gun and translate it into a sport mode. The lightness with which the box sorting out the gears, each time including the one that you wait will remain. And the motor will instantly respond to the gas pedal and will go to its favorite 7000 rpm.
To survive, you must be active. The obedience and tenacious X5 on any coating is amazing. So brazenly (in the good sense of the word!), Not all cars are able to pass turns! Even in the maximum corners of the attack, an all -round, thanks to the Dynamic Drive device, is not cracked, and the facet of the permitted does not allow a delicately triggering stabilization system. By the way, even if you turned it off, at the time of extreme danger, the electronics will still intervene. A short jerk of the steering wheel with the Active Steering device - and after a split second, BMW without a shadow of doubt changes the trajectory. It seems that hands do not affect a convenient leather bagel with heated, but directly on steering rods.
To survive, you must be the best. Once again it remains to state: BMW makes cars for the driver. The speed is set at the forefront and the ability to control it without being distracted by the little things. Yes, it is inconvenient to sit in BMW: through the rollers of the side support of the seat you will have to jump over. But then you do not fidget in search of a convenient posture, the benefit of the chair is equipped with electro -regulations, including the length of the pillow and lateral support.
X5 is a synonym for survival. Helps the owner get to the right point faster in order to have time to do more. But you have to survive the car. For example, a very stiff suspension often allows breakdowns, forcing each time to frown painfully. The parking system does not tolerate dirt on the sensors, due to which it can give a misinformation to the monitor.
Two days in the role of the owner of X5 are coming to an end. In the parking lot near the house, the security guard immediately announced a half -time price for night parking. Well, the guard also needs to survive!
Making a choice
Hundreds of treatises are devoted to human instincts. Instincts live in each of us, sometimes forcing them to act unexpectedly and unmotivated. The choice of a car is also largely justified by subconscious desires, fantasies and associations. It is important not to let them prevail over the mind.
If the road ends
Then all participants in the test will have a hard time. Even an Audi with a pneumatic suspension that increases the clearance to 275 mm, is not able to overcome any serious loose track. To make sure of this, just look at the massive overhangs. The all -wheel drive of the subjects is designed to increase the stability and reliability of control on slippery coating. None of the machines is equipped with forced locks. Under normal conditions, a fingering from BMW, under normal conditions, shares the torque between the front and rear wheels in a ratio of 40:60, and if necessary, a hand -boxed box with a multidimensional clutch controlled by electronics will redistribute the thrust between the axes. In Volvo, almost the entire stream of Newton's meters flows on the front axle. In the transmission of the Swedish machine, a huldex clutch was used, when slipping, throwing back up to 65% of the moment. Audi with a constant all -wheel drive, traditionally called Quattro, twisting between the axes in a ratio of 40:60 is distributed by the self -locking differential Torsen. In some situations, the rear -wheel drive behavior of Q7 is explained by the fact that the differential sends back up to 85% of the moment, and the maximum for the front axle is limited to 65%.
Mikhail Gzovsky: Contrary to the fears of opponents of globalization, modern cars do not become twins. Technologies allow manufacturers to highlight those qualities that they consider most important. With regard to Volvo, Audi and BMW are safety, comfort and sports.
Volvo XC90 is relatively affordable against the background of classmates, a powerful but calm in nature SUV. It is a pity that in the pursuit of the volume of the trunk, the rear passengers took a little space.
General assessment 8.1
+ The spacious front of the cabin, an acceptable engine, good smoothness, a large trunk.
- quite high noise level, non -optimal brake management, mediocre handling.
Audi Q7 - equally good as a representative car and a comfortable vehicle for the whole family.
General assessment 8.6
+ High smoothness, understandable handling, rich decoration, convenient rear sofa, relatively practical third row of seats, excellent ergonomics.
- The accelerated dynamics, the absence of a full -fledged spare wheel, is slightly inferior to competitors.
BMW X5 - In the second generation, all the best that is associated with the name BMW is embodied: gambling, elegant design, magnificent motor and transmission. But the smoothness of the course was sacrificed.
General assessment - 8.7
+ Excellent accelerated dynamics, excellent handling on any coatings, accurate brakes, fast gearbox, spacious rear seat.
- mediocre smoothness, uncomfortable landing in the front seat.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
  

Source: The magazine "Driving"