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2016 Volvo XC90: safety, connectivity worth every penny

Published 1:30 am Friday, August 5, 2016

By Larry Lark, Herald Special Sections Writer

The 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD R-Design full-size luxury sports utility vehicle is a breath of fresh air.

My wife and daughter fell in love from the moment they sat inside the cabin, and their hearts grew even fonder when they learned about all the XC90 had to offer.

The Swedish manufacturer artfully combines all of Volvo’s traditional attributes – safety, performance, refinement and technology – while accelerating each to new levels of world-class excellence.

This version of the XC90 benefits from alluring styling, improved drivability, world-first safety features, the latest connective car technologies and enhanced interior space. The model is available in three trim levels: Momentum, Inscription and top-of-the-line R-Design.

XC90 is powered by a 2.0-liter, supercharged and turbocharged, four-cylinder, direct-inject engine that puts out a strong 316 horsepower and stout 295 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,200 rpm and 4,500 rpm. Combined with a six-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, the combination delivers 25-miles-per-gallon fuel economy down the highway, reduced emissions, and agile handling.

Volvo has long been considered to have the best and most comfortable seats in the industry (including heated rear seats) that in this case accommodate up to seven adults. The XC90 can be quickly and easily converted into a cargo hauler when the second- and third-row seats are folded flat.

And when my brother and I made the trek north to Semiahmoo golf resort, the XC90’s connectivity features were put to the test. Information on the in-dash center touchscreen (which looks and reacts like a tablet) is organized in a stack of four tiles, each displaying a key functionality: Navigation, Media, Phone and User Defined Titles.

Everything is at your fingertips with the swipe of a finger. The navigation was intuitive and had the ability to be displayed in two different places. During a cloud burst, the navigation system was not operational – maybe it lost its satellite connection – but the Volvo’s all-wheel drive with instant traction made up for it,providing complete confidence on I-5.

Bluetooth connectivity was smooth and easy, seat and air adjustments likewise, and the sound system was out-of-this world, delivering 330-watts of power via 10 speakers. Some of the formats included AM/FM/XM/CD as well as USB ports, Pandora and Spotify.

Goodies worthy of note were the panoramic moonroof with power sunshade, leather seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, power liftgate, rearview camera with multiple views, and park-assist pilot function that parks the XC90 either in parallel or straight-in situations.

To pay homage to Volvo’s heritage of safety, the message “Since 1959” has been engraved onto the tongue of the front seatbelt buckles. This highlights the year that Volvo pioneered the three-point safety belt, reminding the driver and passenger of this significant milestone whenever they buckle up.

But that’s just the start of this Volvo’s standard safety features. Highlights include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring, lane-departure warning, stability control, full auto braking, and more.

I could go on, and on, and on. But let’s end this review with a simple statement: The 2016 Volvo XC90 does not come cheap, but it’s worth every penny.

2016 Volvo XC90

Base Price: $49,800

As Tested: $67,155

Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. Prices may vary at local dealerships.