Top 3 things you need to know about the Volvo XC90.
Swedish carmaker Volvo has been in the business of producing the XC90, a premium mid-size SUV, since 2002, with just two generations of this model released during the past 18 years. We have a look at the 3 things that you need to know about the current XC90.
With a production run that spanned 12 years (2002-2014), Volvo finally introduced an all-new XC90 towards the end of 2014. This XC90 is significant for the as it is the brand’s first attempt at producing a vehicle utilising its own platform and engines, having been emancipated from Ford and given more development independence by new owner Geely Automotive at the end of 2009.
The XC90 benefits from a redesigned exterior and interior and is built on the brand's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). The updated XC90 was made available in South Africa in 2019, where the model range has been rationalised, leaving only the most popular derivatives while including updated safety technology and mildly tweaked styling.
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Here are three things that you need to know about the Volvo XC90
1.Zero fatalities
As incredible as this sounds, research from a UK-based firm called Thatcham Research found that there were no recorded fatalities in an XC90 from 2004-2017. While this was published in 2018 and it pertains to the UK market, some 70 000 XC90 models were registered during this time, so for a zero fatality rate to be reported, Volvo's legendary emphasis on safety is certainly living up to expectations. The new XC90 comes with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, road sign recognition, and rear collision prevention. These features in combination with a solid crash safety structure allowed the XC90 to achieve a 5-Star Euro NCAP safety rating, with an incredible 97% score for adult occupant safety, 87% for child occupant safety and 94% for its safety assist systems.
2.2.0-litre only
The XC90 is only available with an engine line-up that displaces 2.0-litres in both diesel, petrol and hybrid guise, all paired with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The entry point into the XC90's engine range is the T5, a 2.0-litre turbocharged motor that produces 187 kW and 350 Nm of torque. Next up is the solitary diesel in the range badged the D5 which produces 173 kW and 480 Nm. The next engine in the is the T6, a turbo and supercharged 2.0-litre that produces 235 kW and 400 Nm. The flagship engine comes in the T8, which is both turbo and supercharged while having the benefit of a battery pack providing additional power too, allowing the hybrid to produce a meaty 300 kW and 640 Nm.
3.Flexible interior
The updated XC90 is available with two seating configurations. The standard seven-seat arrangement can be folded to produce a six, five, four and even a two-seat configuration, increasing the load volume as each seat is folded. Volvo also added a six-seat option in the updated model, removing the centre seat in the second row and catering for those who require individual seating for occupants.
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