Volvo XC90 sets the luxury SUV bar sky-high
Volvo XC90 - First drive impression
The long awaited, über luxurious Volvo XC90 is finally making its appearance in South Africa. We joined Volvo South Africa in Franschhoek, near Cape Town, for the launch.
Devastatingly Handsome
Volvo’s vision for 2020 is that no-one in a Volvo should be seriously injured or killed. Safety and fuel efficiency has always been Volvo’s thing, but the new XC90 is a whole new ball game, or as Volvo calls it, a “gamechanger.” If you put the new XC90 next to the outgoing model, it’s hard to believe these two cars come out of the same stable – the new XC ‘s revolutionary front end with its shiny grille and Thor’s Hammer headlights is undeniably sexy, distinctive, and eye-catching. The rear end is a little nondescript, but every available inch of space has been used to make the seven-seater cabin more roomy. But it’s the minimalistic and serene Swedish opulence inside the XC 90, that really takes your breath away. The large, tablet-like interface of Volvo’s Sensus system not only looks good and has the best picture of any touch screen I’ve ever used, it also feels no different from using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, apart from the fact that I can operate Sensus with my leather gloves on. This screen is the control centre for almost every setting of the XC90, and there are no other buttons on the centre dashboard to clutter up the interior’s clean design.
Safe, as Volvos are
Because safety is Volvo’s number one concern, there are so many driver assistance systems in place, you almost don’t need to drive at all. Volvo’s City Safety system will look out for cyclists, pedestrians and oncoming cars at intersections, and the XC90 will brake automatically to prevent a collision. As we drove from Cape Town’s International Airport in a white metallic XC90 T6 AWD Inscription (R 907 600), I stopped to insert our parking ticket into the exit boom machine. I switched on the 360 degree camera, (R11 600) and voila! I could see our Volvo from above, and everything around it. Of course, this isn’t new technology, and is found in some of the XC90’s competitors, such as the BMW X5 and Audi Q7. But yet again, the crispness of the picture astounded me. Driving to Franschhoek, the car’s optional adaptive cruise control and lane keeping aid was on (R19 000), and as I lifted my hands from the steering wheel the XC90 would even go around the bends for me, by following the curves of the road’s white lines. (The first time I experienced this, it was in the Honda Accord Tourer, which is now only available as a used car – have a look at pre-loved Accords here.) Lane Departure Warning in the XC 90 will make the steering wheel vibrate if you stray from your lane.
Well-specced, with extra options galore
There are many different specification packs to choose from, but most options can be be individually fitted. If you specify the XC90 Techno Pack, for example, you’ll get heated front seats, a head-up display, Adaptive Cruise Contol and Lane Keeping Aid, Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Alert, rear parking camera and keyless entry… all for R 40 000. The XC90 Premium Pack comprises heated seats, the head-up display, the 360 Degree Camera, Power adjustable side support for the front seats, the Gothenburg-auditorium inspired Bowers & Wilkens sound system, Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, and Keyless entry, for R55 000.
XC90 D5 AWD Driven, on the Franschhoek Pass
The true proof of the pudding is in the driving, isn’t it? So as soon as we had lunch and an XC90 D5 AWD Inscription (R 893 900) became available, I jumped into one, kitted out in beautiful ‘Blond in Blond’ Perforated Nappa Leather. Its powerful, four-cylinder, 2.0 litre turbodiesel E-drive engine sprang to life, and I set off for the pass. Despite the XC90’s hefty body, it is still around 200 kg’s lighter than its current competitors and you can feel how its assistance systems work in unison to take every turn with perfect composure, like the ultimate lady. Then I proceeded to switch off the Volvo’s stability control, and now she was letting her hair down like a newly divorced 30 year-old. With handling this good for a vehicle of this size, you’d really have to be an idiot to crash an XC90, unless you decide to drive it blindfolded, or over the side of a cliff like Thelma and Louise.
A whole range of Supermodels
For the time being, only the two models driven on the launch will be available in SA, the twin turbodiesel (165 kW / 470 Nm) D5, and twin turbo, supercharged petrol T6 (235 kW / 400 Nm) in different spec levels. The D4 and T5’s will be coming to our shores in November, with the range-topping, twin-engined hybrid, the T8, joining its stable mates in 2016. Interestingly enough, it’s the higher end models that have been most in demand overseas, and Volvo suspects that the same thing is going to happen in SA. When it comes to this luxury SUV, nobody does class, functionality, elegance and innovative design quite like the Swedes. I suppose it’s never too late to find a wealthy (second) husband who can carry the monthly repayments!
Volvo XC90 Price List
| D4 Momentum | – R 804 900 |
| D4 Inscription | – R 844 600 |
| T5 Momentum | – R 827 400 |
| T5 Inscription | – R 868 000 |
| T5 R-Design | – R 888 700 |
| D5 Momentum | – R 853 200 |
| D5 Inscription | – R 893 900 |
| D5 R-Design | – R 914 600 |
| T6 Momentum | – R 867 000 |
| T6 Inscription | – R 907 600 |
| T6 R-Design | – R 928 300 |
| T8 Momentum | – R 1 005 100 |
| T8 Inscription | – R 1 042 000 |
| T8 R-Design | – R 1 066 400 |