Denver Volvo dealer, McDonald Volvo is featuring the Volvo XC90 for new car shoppers looking for a new SUV. A mid-size luxury crossover SUV, the Volvo XC90 made its debut in 2002 at the Detroit Motor Show. Recognized for its safety, practicality, and comfort, the XC90 is a popular vehicle around the world. The top selling Volvo model in the United States, the model was the best-selling car for Volvo worldwide in 2005.
XC90 History
The Volvo XC90 is Volvo’s first SUV offering, and came late in the SUV game. In a market where some manufacturers have 4 or more models, Volvo for years made just one. It debuted as a 2003 model, and sales have been higher than Volvo predicted.
Premiering with two model choices, the original debut featured the 2.5T and the T6. The 2.5T was a standard, entry level model with a 2.5L, 20 valve turbocharged in-line 5 engine. The T6 offered a 2.9L 24 valve twin turbocharged in-line 6 engine, along with all-wheel drive (the 2.5T came with front wheel drive.) In 2005, a Ford/Yamaha V8 engine was introduced. Seating up to seven people, the SUV is roomy and offers removable seats for additional cargo spacing. Winning North American Car of the Year and Motortrend’s Sport/Utility of the Year award in 2003, the XC90 is well respected for its performance, comfort, and safety features.
XC90 Safety
In keeping with Volvo’s reputation for safety, the XC90 performed the best in the world in roll-over tests, and the front end is specifically designed to absorb impact and a roof reinforced with high impact steel to protect the passengers in a roll-over accident. Volvo strengthened and perfected the XC90 to do very well in this type of crash, if not avoid it altogether with its Roll Stability Control. RSC is a system designed to predict and actuate brakes and throttle to eliminate rollover accidents.
The Volvo XC90 has an inertia sensor that monitors the SUV’s attitude and its acceleration. The sensor can determine the difference between an impending accident and steep terrain. Working in concert with the inertia sensor are sensors that watch the body’s lean and measures its roll movements. But if there is a rollover, the airbags will deploy and remain inflated for up to seven seconds, or 4 rolls.
A concern over the potential for batteries to short circuit and fire resulted in a recall in 2007 of the 2005 year XC90 models. While many vehicles were recalled due to this concern, there were no reports of short circuts in the vehicles.
The 2008 model saw upgrades to the trim and additional features such as an automatically dimming rear view mirror.
XC90 Future
The XC90 is rated high for value within its class by Consumer Reports, and Volvo plans to move toward hybrid technology with newer models of the XC90, and future models are expected to grow slightly in size and be designed to compete in a more luxury market.
While the XC90 was originally slated to move into a third generation version in 2010, this plan has been scrapped in favor of a facelift for the vehicle, and the intention is to sell these production models through the year 2012.
The XC90 shares Volvo’s P2 platform with the V70, S60, XC70, and S80.
Specifications
- turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 20-valve 2.5-liter 5-in-line, 208 hp, 236 lb-ft
- twin-turbo-charged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 2.9-liter 6-in-line, 268 hp, 280 lb-ft
- DOHC 32-valve 4.4-liter V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection, 311 hp, 325lb-ft
- Transmissions 4- or 5-speed automatic with lockup torque converter
- Wheelbase 112.6 in
- Length 188.9 in
- Width 74.7 in
- Height 70.2 in
- Curb weight 4450-4800 lb, depending on engine and FWD vs. AWD
- Zero to 60 mph: 6.5 – 8.2 seconds, depending on engine
- Top speed (governor limited) 128 mph
- Fuel Economy: low teens (city) to mid-20s (highway)
Contact Denver Volvo dealer, McDonald Volvo, for special offers and pricing on the new Volvo xc90. 6060 S. Broadway Littleton, CO 80121 Sales: (866) 998-0096
