The archaic styling and poor fuel economy of Volvo’s original XC90 are gone. Enter the 2015 Volvo XC90 – its luxurious and sleek replacement that can undoubtedly rival the likes of the BMW’s X5 and Porsche’s Cayenne. Originally representing a tough but spacious family hauler upon its launch in 2002, the XC90 has remained true to its utilitarian roots, though Volvo has given it a significant dose of luxury, style, and technology.
The XC90’s improvements start with the powertrain. Volvo will use a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit producing a healthy 316 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, a move that makes the company one of the pioneers of using 4-cylinder engines in full-size SUVs. In addition, twin-charging the four-banger will allow for plenty of boost at all engine RPMs, with the supercharger working from idle and the turbocharger taking over at higher RPMs. This innovative engine will be mated with an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission, making for fuel economy numbers that should be impressive.
It comes as no surprise that the new XC90 sports a whole host of state-of-the-art safety features: run-off road protection, auto-brake at intersections, and Volvo’s City Safety braking package all come standard on the new XC90. In addition, the new LED DRLs and headlights provide brilliant road illumination during nighttime driving, helping to reduce the risk of collisions. Dr. Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President of Volvo Research and Development, said of the XC90, “Our starting point on safety is the same today as it was when the company was created almost 90 years ago: real-life situations. We study data. We crunch numbers. We innovate. The result is one of the safest cars ever made.”
Styling, too, is radically updated on the XC90 for 2015. Wheels will be available up to 22 inches in the “Rugged Luxury” package, while more subdued taillights and more muscular shoulders provide an extremely sporty look. In addition, the XC90 will feature fully automatic air suspension, allowing owners to adjust their vehicle’s ride height to accommodate spirited and off-road driving. The XC90’s interior has changed drastically, now featuring an iPad-like center control panel similar to the system found in the Tesla Model S. Handcrafted leather seats, a crystal glass gear lever made by Orrefors, a 1,400-watt sound system, and a third-row seat capable of accommodating 5’7″ adults finish off the beautiful Scandinavian cabin.
Expect sales to begin in Spring 2015, though Volvo plans to release 1,927 high-spec “First Edition” XC90s exclusively via the web in the near future. Stay tuned on TFLcar.com for more details about the launch.
Please enjoy this TFLcar.com video review of the 2014 Volvo S60.
Frank caught automotive fever early in life. Hailing from a long line of car fanatics, he was able to recite the year and model of every car that passed him by age five. His passion and love for the automobile have only grown since then. When not thinking about cars, he is reading, writing, learning, or dreaming about them. His area of expertise is in the realm of German and Italian cars, of which Porsche is a favorite. Frank currently resides in the heart of NASCAR country in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family. He enjoys driving exotic cars in the beautiful Carolina weather.
