The XC90 is a handsome, square-jawed Swede striving to offer more efficiency and safety than its rivals, while adding a dose of Scandinavian flair. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder uses turbocharging and supercharging to create 316 hp and drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. An 80-hp electric motor joins the party in plug-in hybrid models. There’s room for seven in the elegantly appointed interior, with deeply comfortable seats as well as Sensus, Volvo’s new infotainment system.
After extended product doldrums due to changing overlords, Volvo has emerged as strong as ever with the launch of the XC90 SUV for 2016, the impressive start of an all-new lineup developed under Chinese owner Geely. With an upright and bold countenance, the XC90 exudes confidence, and its nearly Range Rover–rivaling presence, along with a full complement of features and technology, comfortably earns its way further upmarket than previous XC90s
A gorgeously compelling new entry that is upending the luxury-SUV oligarchy.
Pros
The decadently detailed and gorgeous interior including open-pore walnut wood trim, which also adorns the sliding cupholder cover, in the elevated Inscription-trim T6 and test cars we evaluated
Cons
We’re not convinced that four-cylinder-only power is the way to go, not so much for performance reasons—although, by a narrow margin, the XC90 was the slowest in its last comparison-test appearance—but mostly because the engine sounds gravelly in its upper reaches, which is discordant with the luxury mission
