Released in 2002, shortly before the first Volkswagen Touareg, the Volvo XC90 is one of the pioneers of the race of the SUV. Yet it's had never benefited from substantial reform since its launch, when some of its German rivals have been renewed twice .
Suffice to say that the Swedish adventurer began to acknowledge the weight of years, including at recent BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE, let alone the new Audi Q7, which just landed in the arena.
The Gothenburg manufacturer therefore totally copy to it's SUV and offered a new modular platform SPA, which will be taken later on the majority of future brand models. Bottom line, the XC90 gets lighter on average 125 kg lighter than the old model, while at the same time grows 14 cm (4.95 m long, 4.81 m instead of before) .
The completely new range of engines is also involved in this relief and especially allows the brand to advertise in consumption levels and CO2 emissions down significantly, it up to 30%. In place of the old five-cylinder 2.4 diesel, who lived alone in the catalog on the end of the first generation career.
the new XC90 acquires only new petrol and diesel blocks displaying all architecture and identical displacement (2.0 four-cylinder). The range now starts with the D4 diesel 190 hp, single engine combined with front-wheel drive, followed by D5 225 hp, while the T6 petrol 320 hp umbrella thermal offer. Indeed, a hybrid version T8, combining T6 block to an electric motor of 87 hp on the rear train, playing the role of real upscale with a combined power of 407 hp and a range of 43 km 100 % in electric mode .
This distinction is reflected in the interior with boards of refined edge and a choice of warm materials and textures, as it should in a Volvo. However, despite this flattering presentation, the premium picky customer may be surprised by a sometimes uneven quality of assembly or certain hard plastics placed quite visible locations. The XC90 does not drive the attention to detail as far as a Audi Q7 absolutely flawless on this point.
In contrast, 9-inch touchscreen tablet, which includes many functions and plays an essential role in the counting of the center console, is very readable and ergonomic, but demand still some time to adapt. For example, some settings of the seats are only accessible via this interface, which is not necessarily intuitive.
The space on board this large SUV is the measure of what his size suggests. With 5 or 7 seats depending on the version, it offers enough space and comfort to satisfy all of its passengers. Even the third row occupants will feel comfortable if they measure less than 1.75 m with a natural sitting position. In this configuration, the boot of the loading capacity remains usable even with 314 liters, 19 liters more than a Q7 larger and less spacious third. Yet greater. This volume can reach 1886 liters when both rows of rear seats folded.
If we can only praise the ongoing development of this armada of sensors and cameras louse achieve the ultimate objective of the mark ("more serious no fatalities or injuries in a new Volvo model in 2020"), the system still shows its limitations and may surprise some overzealous.
We have undergone automatic brake suddenly when approaching a curve on a country road, due to a single vehicle parked in the bank, which was detected by the system as an obstacle on the road. A feeling not necessarily very pleasant ... Beyond these small annoyances passengers, the XC90 welcomes its occupants with a very good ride comfort, and a very healthy and reassuring handling. Without being clumsy, Swedish does not offer the precision and vivacity of a Q7.
The biggest disappointment for the new XC90 is, however, reveals the time to really seek the beast, when the need for power is felt. Although they are used to "green" the image of large SUVs and give good conscience to its users, the new blocks gasoline and diesel four-cylinders are generally the penalty as soon as the right foot is heavy. The D5 diesel 225 hp thus shows hollow at low revs, but noisy as soon as one draws from its scarce resources.
The new automatic eight-speed Geartronic does not facilitate things, sinning by his overall lack of responsiveness as soon as one tries to force the pace. It is not certain that this engine, which is expected in France represent the majority of sales, to the expectations of a premium customer, who is about to shell out at least 60,114 US Dollar (D5 AWD Kinetic finish ). If the announced figures are flattering (0-100 km / h in 7.8 s and 5.7 l / 100 km in the combined cycle, which can be added two liters in practice), the approval provided by this diesel is really disappointing .
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