Volvo used to mean only one thing; safety. That was fine and when the company added several luxury features that made them even better. The problem with a Volvo of the past was the functionality. It wasn’t a lack of it, but an excess of it with the name of style having been tossed out the window. If you remember the Volvo sedans, wagons and SUVs of the past you remember one think in particular, they were all boxy and ugly, but they sure were safe to drive. Thankfully Volvo has changed its ways.
In no way has this company tossed out safety, that is their calling card and they plan to keep it that way, but finally we have a lineup of vehicles from this brand that offer style to go with the safety. That should be more than enough to create vehicles that we want to drive and are excellent on the eyes. This style change has made it all the way to the top of the Volvo lineup and we now see the 2016 XC90 that will blow you away with comfort, style, safety and drivability to be the choice you want to make for a large SUV.
When it comes to style there are typically a few schools of thought, but all are in agreement when it comes to class and sophistication; simplicity is key to success. The XC90 doesn’t overdo it with style by adding a ton of lines or folds in the metal or even cutting off some of the vertical storage space with a roof that curves to the back. This SUV has nice subtle curves, exceptionally placed chrome accents, a stance that is powerful and confident and attractive features to let you know this is an elegant but powerful large SUV.
To give you that power the XC90 brings in a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is both supercharged and turbocharged to make it feel like it has had coffee and steroids at the same time. This gives you an engine that feels like a strong V6 at the 316 horsepower mark that also returns 295 lb.-ft. of torque. This is attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission that seems to make the perfect pairing. Normally this SUV is setup in FWD, but in AWD you can have sixty percent of the power sent to the rear wheels when needed to give you the control you want to enjoy.
Although the exterior offers a simple style, the interior takes swanky to a whole new level. First of all the cabin is one of the quietest you will ever find anywhere, giving you the enjoyment of your musical selections. You can certainly admire the infotainment system of this SUV and enjoy the menus that are easy to use along with the navigation system. You have different drive modes to choose from, exceptional leather upholstery, beautiful wood and metal details and plenty of space. This is a three row SUV that feels good to drive and is comfortable in your hands.
Overall, the new XC90 does everything you want it to and more. As an SUV that has always taken good care of its occupants the XC90 now gives you the style and poise you want from it along with the most impressive four-cylinder engine on the market today. There is so much to love about this SUV that you really should check one out if you are considering an upgrade from the mid-level crossover you used to have. The XC90 can be the vehicle you want to drive every day and the one your family will enjoy going along for the ride. Volvo certainly didn’t do away with safety, they made safety more exciting in this SUV.
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