2007 Volvo XC90

Reviewed by: Jeff Fortson of JeffCars.com
Date: March 2007

Arrival Date:

Since being introduced in 2003, Volvo’s first SUV received its first major upgrade during the 2007 model year. Like most mid-sized SUV’s, the XC90 is following the latest seating trend, offering a third row.

Target audience:

If you always wanted all the safety features of a Volvo rolled into a SUV, this is the vehicle for you.

What’s new:

The XC90 has been improved for 2007, dropping the 5-cylinder turbo engine and adding a number of safety improvements.

Body type:

It’s a four-door vehicle.

Seating:

The XC90 is capable of seating up to seven passengers, with the optional third rows seats.

Popular Standard Features:

-Dual Air Condition

-Power Front seats

-Heated Power Outside Rearview Mirrors

-Power Locks

-Power Windows

-Remote Locks

-Cruise Control

-AM/FM/6-Disc CD/MP3 Player Capability

Safety Features/Awards:

- NHTSA ( National Highway Traffic Safety Administration):

*No ratings - Front (Driver and Passengers)

*5 out of 5 stars - Side (Front and Rear Passengers)

*4 out of 5 stars - Rollover

-Air Bags side curtain, front and rear

-Daytime Running Lamps

-Rollover Protection System

-Tire Pressure Monitoring Display

-ABS (included as an option on R/T model)

-Rear Window Defroster (standard on test vehicle)

-Remote Vehicle Start (standard on vehicle)

-Remote Keyless Feature

-Roll Stability Control

-Whiplash Protection System

-Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls

-Anti-Lock Brakes

-Active Bi-Xenon Headlamps (swivel as you make turns) option

-All- Wheel Drive (option)

Warranty:

Basic warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first)

Powertrain warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first)

Maintenance Included: No

Towing Included: Yes

Engine/Gas Mileage:

3.2L 6-cylinder, 235 horsepower, 15 city/ 21 highway, front-wheel-drive (test vehicle)

3.2L 6-cylinder, 235 horsepower, 14 city/ 20 highway, all-wheel-drive

4.4L 8-cylinder, 311 horsepower, 13 city/ 19 highway, all-wheel-drive

Fuel efficiency: Consumers can opt for the more fuel efficient 6-cylinder engine, as opposed to the 8-cylinder, which is only available as an all-wheel-drive.

Looking forward:

For this price point and a vehicle of this caliber, I was little disappointed to find heated seats and wood inlays for the shift knob and the steering wheel weren’t standard features.

Additionally, with the second row child seat option, some drivers may find it difficult to locate a comfortable position while using the front center armrest. The trade off to not being able to find a comfortable position with the center armrest is that parents will have the ability to slide the second row (infant/child seat) closer to the front seat occupants to help keep close tabs on their kid. Furthermore, the optional third row seats being offered by Volvo aren’t really designed for adults. Like a number of midsize SUVs offering 7-passenger seating, the third row seating usually remind me of over-sized child seats.

What’s so special:

Until I drove the vehicle, I wasn’t really to fun of Volvo’s XC90. It reminded me of a station wagon, sitting on super-sized tires. Once I got behind the steering wheel, taking the vehicle for my first spin around the block, I immediately became a fan. Like all Volvos, the front seats in this SUV were also made to conform to the occupant’s body. And, because of Volvo’s attention to the details of both safety and comfort, the driver will find all the instrument panel controls are within arm’s reach. Once you spend a few moments sitting in the XC90’s ergonomically design seats, it is difficult to find a comfortable seating position in other SUVs.

Moreover, with Volvo being known as the safety leader in the auto industry, it was no surprise to find this vehicle filled will two must have features. First there were the swiveling Bi-Xenon active headlights, which allowed the driver additional lighting when rounding curves at night just by the movement of the steering wheel. Then, there was the light on the key fob, also referred to as an approach light by Volvo, which permits occupants to activate the parking lights, license plate, side view mirrors and the interior lights before entering the vehicle at night.

How much:

The Volvo XC90 reviewed by JeffCars.com listed for $36,135, before we tacked on options. Once we added on the metallic paint, active bi-xenon headlamps, third row seats, a power roof, leather seats and a 6-disc CD Changer, the total price zoomed to $43,350.