The front-wheel-drive XC90 is the least expensive variant of the Swedish manufacturer’s all-new SUV.

Posted: Sunday, August 21, 2005.

VOLVO XC-90 V-8 JUMPING UP IN CLASS

With the launch of the XC-90 SUV, Volvo successfully jumped into the higher end of the SUV market in 2003.

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Jackson Volvo

As one would expect from Volvo, the 5 to 7 passenger SUV was all leathered up with every safety feature one could imagine. However, no one would suggest that the initial offering was a horsepower powerhouse. Both 5 cylinder and 6 cylinder motors were the opening offerings with horsepower ranging from 208 hp to 268 units.

Meanwhile competitors in the higher end of the SUV market kept arriving with V-8s and other higher power units. Thus, to match the opposition, Volvo felt that more power and torque was necessary.

So why not simply pull a V-8 from its friendly owner’s inventory (Ford) and, say, from another Ford subsidiary, Jaguar. But since the XC is based on a car chassis for a sideways engine and front wheel drive, Ford and its related buddies simply did not have a narrow enough engine.

But, low and behold, one of Ford’s former engine suppliers, Yamaha of Japan had a narrow 60-degree V-8 (as opposed to the normal 90 degree spread between cylinder banks). Previously a Yamaha V-8 was installed in the front wheel drive SHO high performance Ford Taurus.

But this Yamaha version of the V-8 is substantially bigger and truly different from the previously used Ford edition. Displacing 4.4 liters, this motor generates 311 horsepower and lots more torque than the other Volvo powerplants, and yet fits sideways in the small engine bay.

To handle the power, Volvo tied the engine to a 6 speed automatic, which permits the XC to loft along at 1,800 rpm at 70 mph. Only all wheel drive is available for the powertrain choices.

As the spec sheet indicates, Volvo has not held back on the features with the V-8 version of the XC-90. Everything from leather interior to every traction, braking, and safety device is standard stuff. But with features and power comes  price and in this case, the out of door MSRP is about $46,000.

Safety with Speed
To climb the Pali and other hills a modestly optioned V-8 XC was tested. The only two additions over the standard unit were metallic paint ($475) and on call assist ($695) for a sticker price of $46,565.

After the initial start when the engine warms up a little and the revs calm down to normal, the V-8 is super quiet and vibration free in the entire bandwidth. Acceleration is not what you would call a rush, but more of linear thrust—always there at the ready when and where needed.

With 6 gears to choose from, the transmission, sometimes on hills, at least, hunts and pecks with down shifting kept things moving. On level surfaces, there is little sense of shifting. As is seemingly the standard practice these days, the gearshift lever can be moved to control the sequence of gears.

With big 17-inch alloy wheels, but independent suspension all around, the ride is surefooted without being harsh. Bumps are felt but absorbed without generating any real discomfort to the insiders. Cornering for this relatively tall vehicle is certainly held in check with not a lot of body lean.

Steering gives the driver a feel of direction without being either to light or to heavy (does that make it just right?).

Styling clearly speaks Volvo with their now traditional rectangular grill with the diagonal bar partially running across it. Large taillights dominate the rear with clean flanks from front to rear. Thus, if the Volvo theme speaks to you generally, you will find the XC-90 fits the bill, albeit in a bigger and taller version.

Safe Everywhere
With Volvo’s reputation for safe vehicles, this Swedish SUV has it all in that regard. With a roll stability control system and with use of a brake distribution system, potential rollovers are prevented. Side curtains can be deployed beside all three rows of seats. And with one of the few in the industry, Volvo has a headrest system that is about 50 percent better than the normal one in preventing whiplash type injuries.

In the middle seat in the second row, Volvo has an integrated booster seat cushion so that a child can more easily and more properly be belted in. This seat can also be moved forward so that adults up front can reach the child.

To help prevent the accident in the first place, all of the electronic brake assists are part of each XC.

Palace of Pleasures
The leather-lined interior is certainly artfully done with different colors placed in different locations, thus avoiding a monotone look even when there are two different colors at the top and bottom of the interior.

Various pieces of the real crosshatched metal and some plastic metal looking pieces spice up the inside.

Less thrilling are the stereo/ CD controls, which are not very intuitive and some time is necessary to master them.

Memory controls are found on the side of the comfortable front driver’s seat. The adjustable steering wheel has cruise and stereo buttons on it. A computerized info center is found in the dash pod, which provide gas mileage information and other data.

Generally, the interior looks worthy of the price and has a good grade of the materials and assembly.

Rooming House
Two rows of seats are found in back. Row two is very roomy with the seats that can move back and forth with ease. The middle booster seat can be used as a regular one in a matter of seconds, but it is not much of a chair for an adult.

Air conditioning comes from a vent in the B or second pillar rather than somewhere near the floor. On the third pillar are stereo controls for the back occupants who wish to control their sounds (with earphones).

Row three has two separate seats separated with a small storage camber. Getting in and out of this area is tough for large adults and frankly the seating is made for kids because of entry and exit issues, the short seat bottom, and lack of any real legroom. Fortunately, though the seats number 3 also have their own air vents in the third pillar along with a fan speed control. Both storage and cupholders are built in the tops of the rear wheel wells.

All of the seats can be flattened without removing the headrests for additional storage.

Unlike many SUVs, the XC has a small "tailgate’’ as well as liftgate. If all the seats are up, the furthest back cargo area can accommodate a large suitcase and some other smaller items.

Speed Meets Safety
Volvo wanted more power for its highly successful SUV, the XC-90. By looking far and wide, this Swedish manufacturer borrowed a narrow V-8 from Yamaha and throw it in sideways. The result is a powerful, silent, safe multipurpose vehicle with luxury as part of the deal.

Q&A
Q: Besides all of the safety equipment this SUV has there is one other that not many people would thing of. What is it?

A: The XC-90 is designed also to protect other people in different sized vehicles. The XC has a special cross-member below its front bumper to match the height of car bumpers to prevent the XC from riding up and over a car in a collision.

High beams
• Power and safety combo in a roomy SUV.
• Good-looking interior with generally good controls.
• Kids in mind when designed.

Low beams
• Not so great stereo controls.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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