The XC90 has been a success for Volvo, and that's no surprise. Introduced as Volvo's first SUV in mid-2002, the XC90 combined all of the safety and comfort for which Volvos, especially Volvo wagons, were and are known with more room. It was a hit with both existing Volvo owners who wanted a larger vehicle, and contemporary SUV buyers who liked what it had to offer. So last year the six-cylinder engine gave way to Volvo's first V8, a unique unit developed by Yamaha. It was compact enough to easily fit into the XC90, adding significantly more horsepower and torque with no added weight and no fuel consumption penalty. The old four-speed automatic transmission gave way to a six-speed, benefiting both performance and economy. History
Most onlookers won't distinguish a 2007 XC90 from the 2006 model. Both have the same familiar Volvo face — a diagonally bisected grille with scalloped headlights. The 2007 XC90 frees sections of the lower bumper from the black plastic cladding attached to older models, but it's hardly a dramatic rescue. The redesigned taillights have lower clear portions but maintain the same shape.
A 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine produces 235 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque. It replaces last year's turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder that made 208 hp and 236 pounds-feet of torque. An optional 4.4-liter V-8 generates 311 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines use a six-speed-automatic transmission.
Offering unmatched safety in its segment, the XC90 comes loaded with four-wheel disc, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control. RSC, now shared with various Ford, Mercury and Lincoln SUVs, anticipates impending rollovers with a gyroscopic sensor. It can attempt to avert them by cutting torque and applying individual brakes.
A revamped base version, new options, cosmetic tweaks, and a new model highlight this car-type SUV for 2007. XC90 seats up to seven and now comes in three models. For 2007, the base version is called the 3.2. It has a 235-hp inline 6-cyl engine and replaces the 2.5T model, which had a 208-hp turbocharged 5-cyl. The V8 model returns with 311 hp. New for '07, the Sport model adds unique trim, sport suspension and 19-inch wheels to the V8. All XC90s use a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard for the V8 and Sport, available for 3.2 in place of front-wheel drive. The AWD lacks low-range gearing and XC90 is not intended for severe off-roading. ABS and traction/antiskid control with rollover sensors are standard. So are front side airbags and curtain side airbags for all seating rows. Standard on V8s and Sports, optional on the 3.2 is a 3rd-row seat; included with it are a load-leveling suspension and 3rd-row climate and audio controls. XC90's 40/20/40 split 2nd-row bench is available with an integrated child booster seat. Steering-linked bi-xenon headlamps are a new option, as is Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) designed to detect and warn of unseen objects nearby.