Volvo XC90: driving test and Video

Posted on 23-02-2015 at 16:00 by Wouter – 82 Comments”

This is the new super-SUV from Sweden.

[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]

The previous XC90 was the player in this segment in the Netherlands, not only carried the Swedes to the inventory a number of years, but still drive it in the Swedish SUV’s in this segment around than any other model. For Volvo in the Netherlands, the new XC90 is a nice refresh of the range, but don’t underestimate also that this is for Volvo as a whole is an extremely important model. The XC90 is the first entirely new model since the takeover by Geely. The SUV stands on a new platform, a new engine family under the hood, the exterior design is indicative for the coming years, ditto for the interior design and, last but not least, the XC90 also has a completely new infotainment system on board. If the press and especially customers react negatively, then there will be few men for a long time with overtime and crisis-meetings are going to address.

Four can you get
A small little tear we will need to wegpinken. The previous XC90 is still available with the nice ferocious beats vijfpitters, zescilinders and even with a V8. The downside of more cylinders and more liters of capacity is that it blocks less efficient with the fuel efficient and emit more CO2. And in spite of that without CO2 there are no plants to grow, the modern automobile there is no hundred grams per kilometre of emissions. Under the hood of the XC90, we find, therefore, purely viercilinders, all two litres.

T8: 100 hp per cylinder
That’s more horsepower per cylinder than a Veyron, which is of course totally nonsensical information, but I share it gladly with you. The technology of the XC90 T8 is also very nice, the internal combustion engine is only two liters of thumps, thanks to the application of both a turbo as a supercharger 318 hp and 400 Nm. The rear wheels are powered by an electric motor of 82 hp (240 Nm) is strong. The total scores therefore 400 hp and 640 Nm.

The T6 naturel in the Netherlands is not available, because the tax on the additional CO2 emissions would be more expensive than the T8. Still available is the T5 (254 hp), D5 (225 hp) and the D4 (190 hp). That last diesel is the only XC90 that only drive on the front wheels, the rest has all-wheel drive.

ModelD4D5T5T8

Cilinderinhoud1969 cc1969 cc1969 cc1969 cc

# cilinders4444

BrandstofDieselDieselBenzineElektrisch/ gasoline

Vermogen190 pk225 pk254 pk400 pk

Koppel400 Nm470 Nm350 Nm640 Nm

VersnellingsbakAutomaat-8Automaat-8Automaat-8Automaat-8

AandrijvingFWDAWDAWDAWD

0-10010,2s7,8s6,5s5,9s

TopsnelheidNNB220 km/u230 km/u230 km/h

BrandstofverbruikNNB5,7l/100km7,7l/100km2,5l/100km

CO2-uitstootNNB149g/km179g/km59g/km

Bijtelling25%25%25%14%

Prijs67.99573.49568.99575.995

The D5 with 225 hp makes the XC90 is smooth enough, but the T8 is much more of a feestnummer. So far no surprises, of course. With the strongest diesel save you in the Netherlands no modderfiguur, but at higher (read: also in Spain, illegal) speeds, and rub the D5 not frenzied by it, certainly not uphill. The D5 may also be 2750 kg pull, the T8 is still 2200 kg.

The plug-in hybrid XC90 is downright fast, for the type of car is a sprint to the 100 of less than six seconds, impressive. Also if you drive the T8 wonderfully fast and the interplay between electric motor and combustion engine is already very good, despite the fact that this is still pre-production copies were. Accelererend out of slow turns in wet road surface you can feel the front wheels have a bit of scribbling, which, after all, 318 hp to endure. The rear wheels only need the 82 hp electric motor to handle, which so you can ask that only a maximum of 25% of the power to the rear axle can be sent.

“Relaxed Confidence”
Only after the drive, I saw this term in the press release in order for the behaviour to describe it, but these two words sum up the behaviour of the XC90 more than adequate together. Really sporty, the XC90 is not, but there are no cars that seat seven to find those that are. And I wonder whether fathers with five children, who as highest on their priority list for the daily transport.

The XC90 especially excels in comfort and be able to communicate enough to get the driver safely through all conditions to pilots. It seems to me appropriate for the type of car and at least you can of the savings by 14% additional tax liability is still a real stuurmansauto there buy.

The interior
Here scores Volvo points with beautiful materials, including a crystal from Orrefors for the shift knob of the T8. In the Netherlands every XC90 as a seven-seater delivered, where the rows of seats towards the rear up so that the passengers are still somewhat able to look outwards. On the third row of seats to go adults the heavy, although the second row of seats to the front can be pushed to more legroom in the back to create.

Finally a touch screen is what works
We often complain about the infotainment system that has little buttons because they never work really good. The Swedes deal with this bias and to but a huge compliment to share: Volvo to do this the same for the touchscreen in the car as what Apple did for the touch screen for a phone. After 3 minutes you have the basics, exactly like a iPad or iPhone.

A small listing of the features: a large enough screen (9”), a fast and smooth performance, pinch to zoom and swiping to the left and to the right to settings to customize. The screen is also large enough to always have all the information (not just, for example, navigation) in one picture, where you of course can click to quickly jump to, for example, the radio.

When the men of steel were and the cars look
About the beauty of the interior and the exterior, you can still discuss. About whether it really is or only viercilinders available also. About or the XC90 is safe. That is that. The previous model (anno 2002, so well over 13 years old) got out of the NTSA have the designation Top Safety Pick, something many newer competitors can claim.

With the new XC90 explains Volvo raised the bar even higher and gives their new SUV the most comprehensive package of safety features. City Safety, we know already, but in the most extensive form in which cars, cyclists and pedestrians both during the day and the night are detected. Completely new is the auto brake at intersection capability: prevents the XC90 is that when you turn a car over-the-head looks.

If you are in the planning have to of a dyke road to diving, the XC90 also there is that that goes better than in other cars. The XC90 detects if you accidentally of the way down, and a possible addition to the landing. The seat belts will then be drawn to the blow to the spine to soften, there is an energy absorbing mechanism built into the frame of the chair.

Also, since Volvo is participating in the race to the self-propelled car, the new XC90, all kinds of extra supportive features. Perhaps the most important is the enhanced active cruise control in traffic jams up to 50 km/h can send.

Conclusion
The disadvantages of the XC90 to appoint, which is kind of enough to say about how well Volvo has done. Especially if you even think of all the things brand new to the XC90: the platform, the engines, the security features, the entire interior and the infotainment system. Pretty much 90% of the cars we saw are still not back to other Volvo models. The only real downsides are these: a more potent diesel would be welcome, although you also can “swerve” to the T8. A disadvantage of the T8 over the tank with 50 liter capacity is relatively small. What the praktijkverbruik is going to be, now we can only guess, but veelrijders will probably more often than desired, a gas station should look. Further, the XC90 is simply a brilliant car, especially when you consider that the rent is relatively favourable and the T8 with 14% additional tax liability. Movie!

Gallery: Volvo XC90

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