WASHINGTON — It seems like Volvo has risen from the ashes in the past year or so, with its award-winning luxury SUV, the XC-90, as well as a new luxury sedan (more on that next month). Lately, the midsize luxury SUV market has seen an influx of redesigned players, with each trying to one-up the other to attract new buyers.
For years, the Acura MDX was the ride that my wife had her eye on to replace her SUV when the time came. Her wish changed when the 2017 Volvo XC-90 T6 Inscription hit my driveway.
Its handsome exterior combines modern styling without going too far. There is still that large grill with the Volvo logo and the line through the middle. But this time there’s more flair, including the Thor’s Hammer headlights that give the appearance of the mythical hammer in the headlight cluster. My ride was fitted with larger 21-inch wheels that look good and help fill the openings, giving this a good side stance. The new XC-90 does not look much like the original model it replaces, except for rear-end styling that includes tall, slender brake and taillights that shoot up the rear of the vehicle.
Inside, this new Volvo is even better — it’s one of nicer interiors I’ve seen at this price range. The XC-90 T6 is a seven-seat version. There also are five-seat versions dubbed the T5. My seven-seat Inscription version is the top-of-the-line trim level with a loaded price of $72,800, which seems steep, but it’s in line with the German competitors in this class.
The materials are top-notch, with luxury Nappa leather on the seats, dash and door panels. The front seats are heated and ventilated with massage; the $2,800 luxury package also includes more leather for the sun visors and the pull straps at all four doors. The headliner is a suede material that looks and feels upscale, as well.
The built-in second-row child booster seat is a neat option. Space in the second row is good with nice leg and head room, and the third row can even handle adults for short trips, with more space than most in this class. Cargo space with all the seats in use is more than ample for this class; a small stroller and a few bags fit. The center screen is set up like an iPad; you swipe side-to-side for the menus. I wish the seat controls were not in those menus and were easier to hit on the go.
Most in this class use V6 engines. Not the Volvo — it has four cylinders with a twist: a supercharger and a turbo charger, getting 316 horsepower out of this small engine. The supercharger helps when starting out, giving this large SUV proper motivation off the line. The turbocharger picks up higher in the rev range. so it never feels underpowered and it’s not loud, either.
Fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg combined. I only managed 21 mpg with a good dose of highway driving. With larger 21-inch wheels on broken pavement, the ride was a bit busy and choppy. I suggest trying a model with smaller wheels if you travel on bad streets often. The handling is really good and the cabin is very quiet for short or long trips.
There are lots of safety items, such as blind spot information and cross-traffic alert, much like others in this class. But the standout features include City Safety low-speed collision avoidance for pedestrians, cyclists and larger animals, and the adaptive cruise control — now with pilot assist, which is semi-autonomous.
The Volvo XC-90 is a very good SUV that deserves some of your time before you make that next purchase. With prices starting under $47,000, the Volvo has style, luxury and safety all in one stylish package that’s still unique, like the Volvo of the past, but ready for the 21st century.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
