Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription 7-Seater (A) Review
18 Sep 2015|24,327 views
One of the biggest challenges in a fresh relationship is overcoming differences in expectations. The healthy way of dealing with it is to communicate, making sure the two of you talk through what you want and need from each other.
If this approach is not taken, especially if you have high expectations of the other person, those mismatched expectations will slowly poison the relationship.
With that idea in mind and thanks to how much hype there has been about the all new Volvo XC90, we had extremely high expectations before we took to the wheel of the car. Will we come away from the experience disappointed or heartened?
Exterior
Standing tall and mighty at 4,950mm x 2,140mm x 1,775mm (L x W x H), the new car is 143mm longer, 28mm wider but 9mm lower than the outgoing XC90 and it boasts a much beefier stance.
The second generation SUV takes an enormous visual step forward as compared to the model it replaces, considering how many years the previous generation car stayed on the market without a significant update.
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Starting from its handsome new face, the new T-shaped daytime running lights give the car an aggressive glare, and together with its deep front bumper and upright grille, it creates a bold first impression.
There are also a longer hood and high beltline, with sharpened shoulders, not to mention large openings that accommodate up to 22-inch wheels - all of these forming a robust side profile.
The XC90 is less striking at the back, but the brand's designers have still used light clusters to good effect. The tail lamps run from the top of the boot right down to the bumper and, with Volvo's traditional shoulder kink halfway down, the XC90 is instantly recognisable, especially in the dark.
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Interior
The cabin is very much the same story. It's clean and simple, extremely well-designed and will be a fantastic place to spend your time no matter which of the three rows you are snugly seated in.
Undoubtedly, the highlight for the car is the 9.0-inch iPad-like centre display that features high-resolution graphics and a intuitive interface that feels immediately familiar to any iPhone user, but we were far more impressed with the materials and fit and finish seen throughout the SUV's cabin.
The use of wood, thick carpet and double-stitched leather combined with brushed aluminium components and beautiful jewel-like dials lift this car in a way such that it is a game changer.
Vast interiors have always been one of the XC90's strengths, and the new model improves things further. The seats are comfortable and roomy and, unlike many other seven-seaters, even the third row is reasonably generous for Asian adults.
In seven-seat configuration, the Volvo XC90 offers a great mix of practicality and convenience, with 386 litres of boot space. Fold all the seats down - an easy job thanks to simple mechanism - and this rises to a whopping 1,868 litres.
Back to the topic on expectations, the cabin absolutely exceeded ours. Granted, the version we drove had the Inscription package but even without that, you're looking at a $360,000 (as of 9th September 2015) vehicle that feels double its price.
Even the key is a marvel - presented to new owners with the wrapped leather of the fob matching the interior colour of the car.
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The Drive
This T6 variant tested is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger. From rest, it pulls confidently and certainly feels 'bigger' than a four-pot mill.
Low-end boost is taken care of by the supercharger, and the turbocharger takes care of bringing the punch in the mid to high-range, so there's never a lack of power no matter when you need it.
Mated to an eight-speed Geartronic transmission, the gears are sorted out almost imperceptibly, without lingering in any one longer than needed, and it takes only 6.5 seconds to get the large SUV to 100km/h.
Aside from the new engine, it's business as usual for the big Swedish SUV and that's some good news. The steering is lightly weighted and bears a touch of numbness but is accurate enough. While some body roll is evident, it's not excessive considering its size. Instead, the new XC90 is reasonably quick on its feet, and it tackles bends without drama or complaint from the tyres.
Cruising along, we found the car to deliver just the kind of ride and comfort you'd expect from a high-end luxury utility vehicle. Even without Volvo's optional air suspension, our test car soaked up just about any road imperfection thrown at it.
Refinement is top-notch, and there's a vague hint of wind noise around the mirrors at higher speeds but it's probably only noticeable due to the serenity and calmness in the cabin.
It's an easy car to drive smoothly, and one that's easy to place on the road, thanks to the long, flat bonnet. The fact that the cockpit position gives the driver a good view forward further enhances this advantage.
Conclusion
The new XC90 isn't the most powerful car in its segment, nor is it the most engaging to drive, but the fantastic interior with its delicious blend of materials and family centric space and comfort show that Volvo's focus is still where it always was - on the occupants of its cars.
In short, even with our soaring expectations, we still walked away impressed.
One of the biggest challenges in a fresh relationship is overcoming differences in expectations. The healthy way of dealing with it is to communicate, making sure the two of you talk through what you want and need from each other.
If this approach is not taken, especially if you have high expectations of the other person, those mismatched expectations will slowly poison the relationship.
With that idea in mind and thanks to how much hype there has been about the all new Volvo XC90, we had extremely high expectations before we took to the wheel of the car. Will we come away from the experience disappointed or heartened?
Exterior
Standing tall and mighty at 4,950mm x 2,140mm x 1,775mm (L x W x H), the new car is 143mm longer, 28mm wider but 9mm lower than the outgoing XC90 and it boasts a much beefier stance.
The second generation SUV takes an enormous visual step forward as compared to the model it replaces, considering how many years the previous generation car stayed on the market without a significant update.
Starting from its handsome new face, the new T-shaped daytime running lights give the car an aggressive glare, and together with its deep front bumper and upright grille, it creates a bold first impression.
There are also a longer hood and high beltline, with sharpened shoulders, not to mention large openings that accommodate up to 22-inch wheels - all of these forming a robust side profile.
The XC90 is less striking at the back, but the brand's designers have still used light clusters to good effect. The tail lamps run from the top of the boot right down to the bumper and, with Volvo's traditional shoulder kink halfway down, the XC90 is instantly recognisable, especially in the dark.
Interior
The cabin is very much the same story. It's clean and simple, extremely well-designed and will be a fantastic place to spend your time no matter which of the three rows you are snugly seated in.
Undoubtedly, the highlight for the car is the 9.0-inch iPad-like centre display that features high-resolution graphics and a intuitive interface that feels immediately familiar to any iPhone user, but we were far more impressed with the materials and fit and finish seen throughout the SUV's cabin.
The use of wood, thick carpet and double-stitched leather combined with brushed aluminium components and beautiful jewel-like dials lift this car in a way such that it is a game changer.
Vast interiors have always been one of the XC90's strengths, and the new model improves things further. The seats are comfortable and roomy and, unlike many other seven-seaters, even the third row is reasonably generous for Asian adults.
The cabin is very much the same story. It's clean and simple, extremely well-designed and will be a fantastic place to spend your time no matter which of the three rows you are snugly seated in.
Undoubtedly, the highlight for the car is the 9.0-inch iPad-like centre display that features high-resolution graphics and a intuitive interface that feels immediately familiar to any iPhone user, but we were far more impressed with the materials and fit and finish seen throughout the SUV's cabin.
The use of wood, thick carpet and double-stitched leather combined with brushed aluminium components and beautiful jewel-like dials lift this car in a way such that it is a game changer.
Vast interiors have always been one of the XC90's strengths, and the new model improves things further. The seats are comfortable and roomy and, unlike many other seven-seaters, even the third row is reasonably generous for Asian adults.
In seven-seat configuration, the Volvo XC90 offers a great mix of practicality and convenience, with 386 litres of boot space. Fold all the seats down - an easy job thanks to simple mechanism - and this rises to a whopping 1,868 litres.
Back to the topic on expectations, the cabin absolutely exceeded ours. Granted, the version we drove had the Inscription package but even without that, you're looking at a $360,000 (as of 9th September 2015) vehicle that feels double its price.
Even the key is a marvel - presented to new owners with the wrapped leather of the fob matching the interior colour of the car.
The Drive
This T6 variant tested is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger. From rest, it pulls confidently and certainly feels 'bigger' than a four-pot mill.
Low-end boost is taken care of by the supercharger, and the turbocharger takes care of bringing the punch in the mid to high-range, so there's never a lack of power no matter when you need it.
Mated to an eight-speed Geartronic transmission, the gears are sorted out almost imperceptibly, without lingering in any one longer than needed, and it takes only 6.5 seconds to get the large SUV to 100km/h.
Aside from the new engine, it's business as usual for the big Swedish SUV and that's some good news. The steering is lightly weighted and bears a touch of numbness but is accurate enough. While some body roll is evident, it's not excessive considering its size. Instead, the new XC90 is reasonably quick on its feet, and it tackles bends without drama or complaint from the tyres.
This T6 variant tested is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger. From rest, it pulls confidently and certainly feels 'bigger' than a four-pot mill.
Low-end boost is taken care of by the supercharger, and the turbocharger takes care of bringing the punch in the mid to high-range, so there's never a lack of power no matter when you need it.
Mated to an eight-speed Geartronic transmission, the gears are sorted out almost imperceptibly, without lingering in any one longer than needed, and it takes only 6.5 seconds to get the large SUV to 100km/h.
Aside from the new engine, it's business as usual for the big Swedish SUV and that's some good news. The steering is lightly weighted and bears a touch of numbness but is accurate enough. While some body roll is evident, it's not excessive considering its size. Instead, the new XC90 is reasonably quick on its feet, and it tackles bends without drama or complaint from the tyres.
Cruising along, we found the car to deliver just the kind of ride and comfort you'd expect from a high-end luxury utility vehicle. Even without Volvo's optional air suspension, our test car soaked up just about any road imperfection thrown at it.
Refinement is top-notch, and there's a vague hint of wind noise around the mirrors at higher speeds but it's probably only noticeable due to the serenity and calmness in the cabin.
It's an easy car to drive smoothly, and one that's easy to place on the road, thanks to the long, flat bonnet. The fact that the cockpit position gives the driver a good view forward further enhances this advantage.
Conclusion
The new XC90 isn't the most powerful car in its segment, nor is it the most engaging to drive, but the fantastic interior with its delicious blend of materials and family centric space and comfort show that Volvo's focus is still where it always was - on the occupants of its cars.
In short, even with our soaring expectations, we still walked away impressed.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Also read our comparison article on:
BMW X5 xDrive35i 7-Seater (A) vs Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription 7-Seater (A)
Car Information
Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription 7-Seater (A)
CAT B|Petrol|12.5km/L
Horsepower
239kW (320 bhp)
Torque
400 Nm
Acceleration
6.5sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Volvo XC90
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