With the 2016 XC90, Volvo has reinvented the wheel
There’s nothing like having a clean slate when evaluating a new test car.
And today’s test car—Volvo’s completely redesigned flagship XC90 crossover—has just that: One big 9-inch touch screen sits front and center in a wonderfully restyled interior. It’s as if Mrs. G’s iPad was reborn as an auto detail.
That’s a little bit daunting for this reviewer. After all, Siri, the iPhone’s digital doyen, pretends she doesn’t understand a word I say. Likewise, my iPhone touch screen sometimes recognizes my touch; that is, until it decides to unfeelingly ignore me.
Thankfully, I had young Joey Silveira to give me a teenager’s two-minute primer on the system. After that, it was amazingly intuitive.
Volvo went clean slate route in redesigning the XC90, which was an outstanding vehicle when it launched in the United States in 2003. By automotive standards, it was therefore about eight years overdue for a redesign.
The new XC90 thus takes a great leap forward with contemporary styling, updating its look all around while still keeping the cues that tell you both that this is the new XC90 and it’s a Volvo.
Up front, there are narrow headlights, a wider grille, and big air intakes. From the rear, the shape is similar, along with the traditional taillights that run up the sides of the liftgate almost to the roof.
Story continues after gallery
Check out the 2016 Volvo XC90
[bdc-gallery id=”1426825″]
Volvo has gone to a new 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine that’s both supercharged and turbocharged. The result is 316 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. That power goes to standard all-wheel-drive via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The XC90 has keyless entry (which prevented me from locking the keys inside after checking out the rear seat features, comfort, and space) and a unique Start/Off knob in the center console along with a roller knob to select the driving mode from among Comfort (the default), Eco, Dynamic, and Off-Road. There’s also the ability to save an individual driving mode—with preferred steering, braking, powertrain, and driving dynamics settings. I’ll have to recall young Joey for that.
On the road, we found the XC90 to be responsive and refined, everything you’d expect in a premium crossover.
The XC90 comes in three trim levels. The base Momentum, sporty R-Design, and luxury-level Inscription. Starting prices, including destination, are Momentum ($49,895), R-Design ($55,495), and Inscription ($55,495).
Our test vehicle was the Inscription, complete with most every conceivable option to show how Volvo is actively pursuing its corporate Vision 2020—the goal of having no serious injuries or fatalities in Volvo cars by that year.
Thus it had the Vision Package ($1,600), which adds blind spot information, cross-traffic alert, and 360-degree surround view camera. Also included are auto-dimming side and rearview mirrors and auto-folding side mirrors when the engine is turned off.
The Climate Package ($1,950) adds heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, heated washer nozzles, and graphical heads-up display.
A Convenience Package ($1,800) gives you park assist pilot, front park assist, adaptive cruise control with pilot assist, lane-keeping aid, interior mirror compass, Homelink, 12-volt cargo outlet, and grocery bag keeper.
We also had a Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system ($2,500), metallic paint ($560), second row center booster ($250), 21-inch alloy wheels ($750), and 4-corner air suspension ($1,800). Bottom line was $66,705.
Among the standard features are Volvo’s City Safety collision avoidance system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, roll stability, and lane departure warning with road sign information (giving you a speed limit sign in the driver information display that flashes should you exceed the speed limit).
City Safety detects oncoming vehicles, including pedestrians and cyclists, other vehicles (including motorcycles) moving in the same direction, cyclists swerving in front or crossing the vehicle’s path, and pedestrians suddenly walking in front of the vehicle.
In the latter two instances, the system is able to avoid collisions at speeds up to 45 kilometers per hour (28 mph) and can mitigate the consequences at higher speeds.
The latest version of the system is based on a combination radar-camera unit that also works in darkness.
In an emergency, the system gives the driver an audible alert with a haptic brake pulse and a flashing light in the heads-up display. If the driver doesn’t react, full braking is applied one second before impact.
Two world firsts in safety include:
1.Run Off Road Design that combines lane-keeping aids and redesigned seats to absorb compression impact and prevent spinal injury in an off-road event. The system also tightens seatbelts.
2.Intersection Auto Brake in a situation where the driver turns left in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Standard technology includes the 9-inch Sensus touch screen with a six-month complimentary subscription to Volvo On Call (support) and Sensus Connect (the array of connected services).
Even after a week of riding in the luxurious interior, Mrs. G still was commenting on the quality of materials and comfort.
Rear passengers have heated seats and slide-adjustable seats. In the middle is the built-in child booster seat that swings up out of the seat bottom at the touch of a pull handle.
The XC90 may have been a long time in arriving, but it’s proved to be worth the wait.
2016 Volvo XC90 AWD Inscription
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $55,495/$66,705. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 20 city/25 highway/22 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 23.9. Drivetrain: 2.0-liter 4 cylinder super- and turbocharged engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive. Body: 7-passenger crossover.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 316. Torque: 295 lb.-ft. Overall length: 194.8 in. Wheelbase: 117.5 in. Height: 69.9 in. Width: 84.3 in. (including mirrors), 79.1 (mirrors folded). Curb weight: 4,627 lbs.
THE GOOD
World-leading safety, world-class luxury.
THE BAD
There’s a gamble that not all will adapt to the touch screen technology, though it seems user-friendly; the automatic high beams not as refined as some we’ve seen.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Volvo has raised the bar for safety while producing a world-class car in the process.
ALSO CONSIDER
Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Buick Enclave, Infinity QX60, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com