New Car Review of the 2005 Volvo XC90 Mid-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Mid-Size Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: not available
Invoice Price Range: not available
Where built: Sweden

The mid-size sport-utility wagon from Volvo is svelte in design, expansive in cabin size (optional third-row seats raise capacity to seven) and equipped with powerful engines and sophisticated safety systems plus optional AWD traction. Built off the P2 platform, XC90 rides and drives more like a car than a lumbering sport-ute, despite its hulking size.

It can be quick and enthusiastic too, particularly for XC90 T6 with a light-pressure twin turbo 2.9-liter in-line-six pumping 268-hp. This plant brings the Geartronic stick on a 4-speed automatic. Base powertrain is Volvo's light-pressure turbo 2.5-liter 5-cylinder with 208-hp through a 5-speed automatic. T6 also comes with AWD traction using the electronically-controlled Haldex system.

Extensive safety systems go into XC90, including frontal air bags and side-impact air bags for front riders plus Volvo's side curtain-style air bags reaching to the third row of seats. In addition to the DSTC yaw-controller aboard, Volvo overlays that device with a Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS).

Packages bring more gear -- such as a premium group with leather seats and power moonroof or the climate kit with heated front seats, and for T6 a new touring package.