Back in 2002 when the XC90 was first introduced worldwide, Volvo dubbed it "the most important car we have ever made".
Considering it's an innovative concept by Volvo back then - combining an SUV and MPV into one car - this is the model that could make, or break Volvo. After all, who on earth would buy a Swedish SUV (back then)? Sedan - yes. Wagon - yes. Other than that, it is still highly questionable.
Thankfully though, the XC90 proved popular. It is a mighty effort, for a first timer. There's that right amount of aggression and elegance, for a large luxury SUV. That ability to accommodate six other passengers easily and comfortably deserves a round of applause...
Fast-forward a decade later, and the XC90 is still here and going strong. Well it did go through two minor facelifts (this being the second one), but even with that, is it still able to hold its own when there are fresher offerings in the market?
Exterior
With the latest facelift, the XC90 doesn't only get a new front bumper. It also gets some refreshed exterior details, namely daytime running lights upfront (at a switch of a button it will change to the foglamps), standard metallic bumper bars and silver-coloured roof rails, colour-coded bumper areas and redesigned tail lamps which includes an LED strip, like the smaller XC60.
A set of multi-spoke 19-inch 'Galateia' alloy rims also comes standard, wrapped in premium 255/50 R-19 Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubbers.
Considering it's an innovative concept by Volvo back then - combining an SUV and MPV into one car - this is the model that could make, or break Volvo. After all, who on earth would buy a Swedish SUV (back then)? Sedan - yes. Wagon - yes. Other than that, it is still highly questionable.
Thankfully though, the XC90 proved popular. It is a mighty effort, for a first timer. There's that right amount of aggression and elegance, for a large luxury SUV. That ability to accommodate six other passengers easily and comfortably deserves a round of applause...
Fast-forward a decade later, and the XC90 is still here and going strong. Well it did go through two minor facelifts (this being the second one), but even with that, is it still able to hold its own when there are fresher offerings in the market?
Exterior
With the latest facelift, the XC90 doesn't only get a new front bumper. It also gets some refreshed exterior details, namely daytime running lights upfront (at a switch of a button it will change to the foglamps), standard metallic bumper bars and silver-coloured roof rails, colour-coded bumper areas and redesigned tail lamps which includes an LED strip, like the smaller XC60.
A set of multi-spoke 19-inch 'Galateia' alloy rims also comes standard, wrapped in premium 255/50 R-19 Pirelli P Zero Rosso rubbers.
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This might come across as a little too tame a facelift, but at least Volvo did not go overboard, preferring to keep it simple and subtle.
Volvo remains subtle with the facelifted Volvo XC90  |
Interior
The cabin is typically Volvo: fit and finish remains impressive by today's standard, safety features are in abundance and the unmistakable Volvo smell. Interestingly, even after all these years, the plastics have a high quality feel to them - still good enough to match up to its German counterparts. The aluminium trimming gives the interior that extra touch of opulence to the already dark theme.
Controls and buttons feel good to the touch
However, a more adventurous dashboard design could do some justice to the aging XC90. That's not saying the XC90's dashboard is not as modern, but Volvo's designers should have given it a far different design; include a GPS unit even. It should, after all, keep up with the times...
The cabin is typically Volvo: fit and finish remains impressive by today's standard, safety features are in abundance and the unmistakable Volvo smell. Interestingly, even after all these years, the plastics have a high quality feel to them - still good enough to match up to its German counterparts. The aluminium trimming gives the interior that extra touch of opulence to the already dark theme.
Controls and buttons feel good to the touch However, a more adventurous dashboard design could do some justice to the aging XC90. That's not saying the XC90's dashboard is not as modern, but Volvo's designers should have given it a far different design; include a GPS unit even. It should, after all, keep up with the times...
The XC90 is one of those SUV that can sit up to six other passengers, and if your priority goes towards ferrying the family and all the necessary barang-barang, it will not disappoint. There are two extra third-row seats that fold conveniently with a flick of one lever to disappear beneath what becomes an extended and flat loading area.
Knock the third row seats down and a vast space is available
Headroom is more than generous within the entire cabin, but in terms of legroom, only the little ones - or up to teenagers - are best left in the last row. Or perhaps even that rowdy, loud-mouthed brother-in-law...
Alternatively, there's the option of just hiding it away so that there will be more boot space.
Knock the third row seats down and a vast space is available Headroom is more than generous within the entire cabin, but in terms of legroom, only the little ones - or up to teenagers - are best left in the last row. Or perhaps even that rowdy, loud-mouthed brother-in-law...
Alternatively, there's the option of just hiding it away so that there will be more boot space.
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The Drive
A new trick under its sleeve is an improved engine, courtesy of Polestar Power Optimisation.
Now for the curious, Polestar is an aftermarket tuner that handles Volvos. Started back in 1996, Polestar generally is more involved with most of Volvo's motorsports activities - think of them as the equivalent of what Ralliart is to Mitsubishi.
Neat new trick by Volvo: The Polestar-tuned powerplant
This time around, Polestar was tasked to add more rush to the Volvo XC90. Well it might not be out of this world, but at least the 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged unit - mated to the convincing 5-speed Geartronic transmission - is now able to whip out 240bhp and 370Nm of torque; in comparison, a stock standard version is only able to produce 210bhp and 320Nm.
Considering it weighs in at close to 2.1 tonnes, the 0 to 100km/h sprint timing of 9.2 seconds isn't exactly brilliant; but it is good enough for soccer mums rushing from school to the supermarket. The 210km/h top speed means dad can still head up to Melaka for a round of golf and come back within the same day without a hitch.
A new trick under its sleeve is an improved engine, courtesy of Polestar Power Optimisation.
Now for the curious, Polestar is an aftermarket tuner that handles Volvos. Started back in 1996, Polestar generally is more involved with most of Volvo's motorsports activities - think of them as the equivalent of what Ralliart is to Mitsubishi.
Neat new trick by Volvo: The Polestar-tuned powerplant This time around, Polestar was tasked to add more rush to the Volvo XC90. Well it might not be out of this world, but at least the 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged unit - mated to the convincing 5-speed Geartronic transmission - is now able to whip out 240bhp and 370Nm of torque; in comparison, a stock standard version is only able to produce 210bhp and 320Nm.
Considering it weighs in at close to 2.1 tonnes, the 0 to 100km/h sprint timing of 9.2 seconds isn't exactly brilliant; but it is good enough for soccer mums rushing from school to the supermarket. The 210km/h top speed means dad can still head up to Melaka for a round of golf and come back within the same day without a hitch.
You can hear the five-cylinder engine roaring to life when the accelerator is given a good, hard prod - be prepared to see the speedometer fly from two to three figure speeds without a hitch. However, one noticeable downside to the rather outdated transmission is a vocal engine that doesn't hide itself much when driven with the tachometer spinning past 4,500 rpm.
Besides the permanent four wheel-drive system, active nannies like Volvo's Roll Stability Control and Dynamic Stability Control gives the XC90 a still respectable handling characteristic. A noticeable trump card is the pliant ride - it doesn't feel wobbly like lesser SUVs, and the steering feels weighty enough to give the driver spot-on accuracy.
Conclusion
It all ultimately comes down to the price. The XC90 Refresh leaves the showroom for $279,000 with COE - some $63,000 less than BMW's X5 xDrive35i and $48,000 cheaper than Audi's Q7 3.0 TFSI.
Outdated or not, one thing's for sure: the XC90 presents itself as a premium multi-purpose SUV for that family looking for a set of wheels that are (a) idiot-proof, (b) worry-free and, lastly (c) good for long-distance driving.
Old is certainly gold, ain't it?
Besides the permanent four wheel-drive system, active nannies like Volvo's Roll Stability Control and Dynamic Stability Control gives the XC90 a still respectable handling characteristic. A noticeable trump card is the pliant ride - it doesn't feel wobbly like lesser SUVs, and the steering feels weighty enough to give the driver spot-on accuracy.
Conclusion
It all ultimately comes down to the price. The XC90 Refresh leaves the showroom for $279,000 with COE - some $63,000 less than BMW's X5 xDrive35i and $48,000 cheaper than Audi's Q7 3.0 TFSI.
Outdated or not, one thing's for sure: the XC90 presents itself as a premium multi-purpose SUV for that family looking for a set of wheels that are (a) idiot-proof, (b) worry-free and, lastly (c) good for long-distance driving.
Old is certainly gold, ain't it?
