Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
XC90 2.5T: $34,840
XC90 T6 AWD: $41,015
Destination: $685
All new in 2003, the XC90 sees only minor changes for 2005. New flat blade windshield wipers more evenly distribute the blade's edge to the windscreen and hydrophilic surface treatments to the side mirrors and side glass help to wick rainwater off the glass. Also new is a standard tire pressure warning system (late availability), two new exterior colors: Titanium Gray Metallic and Magic Blue Metallic, and Rainsensor windshield wipers and Homelink are now standard.
The Volvo XC90 sport-utility vehicle represents the company's first foray in the mid-size premium SUV market. Adhering to Volvo's core brand values of safety, environmental consciousness and value, the XC90 introduced no fewer than five automotive world firsts: Roll Stability Control (RSC), an inflatable side curtain for all three rows of seats, an integrated sliding center booster seat for children, seatbelts with pretensioners in all seating positions and the availability of a Dolby 5.1 Pro Logic II surround sound stereo system featuring a 305-watt Alpine amplifier and 12 premium speakers.
The XC90 is the largest vehicle in the Volvo lineup. A full 93.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity and over 9.5 feet of cargo length are available when the second and third rows and the front passenger seat are folded flat. Optional forward facing third row seats, offered as part of the Versatility Package, increases seating capacity to seven. Also included are separate controls for the rear air conditioning unit and audio systems. A unique feature of the XC90's second row seats (when ordered with the Versatility Package) is that the 40/20/40 bench seat is adjustable fore and aft, affording more room for the third-row passengers. The third row also folds flat below the cargo floor, increasing luggage capacity without having to lift a heavy seat out of the vehicle. The center portion also incorporates a child booster seat, and when slid into the forward position allows the child to better interact with the front seat occupants.
Two versions of the Volvo XC90 are available: the XC90 and the XC90 T6 AWD. The XC90 is powered by a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 208 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 236 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,500 – 4,500 rpm. The XC90 T6 AWD gets its power from a twin turbocharged 2.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine making 268 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and a stout 280 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,800 – 5,000 rpm. All-wheel drive is available optionally for the base XC90. Both models will tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with all-wheel drive.
As with other all-wheel-drive Volvos, the XC90's system operates seamlessly and is invisible to the driver. Under normal conditions, 95 percent of the engine's power is sent to the front wheels. If slippage is detected and the front wheels lose traction, a multi-plate clutch located in the rear differential engages and instantly begins routing up to a maximum of 65 percent of the power to the rear wheels.
With a wheelbase of 112.6 inches, 2.7 inches longer than the S80 luxury sedan, and an extremely wide track of 64.3 inches front and 63.9 inches rear, the XC90's ride is compliant and controlled even when driven over rough or uneven road surfaces.
