VOLVO XC90
Generations Timeline, Specs and Pictures
The refreshed XC90 released in 2019 is a large SUV, a 7-seater perfectly designed for large families.
It was spacious, luxurious, simple and sophisticated at the same time.
The exterior design hadn’t changed in comparison to the previous version at it didn’t need to, as it was already well thought and definitely beautiful.
The Volvo’s attention to details can be recognized in 2019 as well, as even the key was all wrapped in Nappa leather.
The interior was very inviting, with a minimalistic design. Depending on the buyer’s taste, the interior trims could be made of wood, aluminum or carbon fiber. All seats are covered in Nappa leather that came in 3 color options.
We already said that it is a spacious car and usually an ideal vehicle for large families. The leg and head room in the 2nd seats row ensures a comfortable ride, however, the 3rd seats row not that much. The middle seat in the 2nd row is foldable, to ease the access to the 3rd row.
The cargo area is a bit cramped with all the seats unfolded, however, the XC90 offers a 86 cubic feet of room with the seats folded.
The on board technology is worth mentioning as well, the car being equipped with a 12.3-inch color instrument cluster which allows a good view over the necessary driving information.
Volvo is already known for the safety offered by their vehicles and the XC90 was no exception. It was equipped with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and pilot assist. The pilot assist offers autonomous driving but also requires the driver to be 100% attentive.
The XC90’s design was great inside and out, it was simple and elegant.
After a USD 11bn investment in the SPA platform, the Volvo XC90 was unveiled in 2014 as part of the new lineup of the Swedish brand’s cars.
The design, engines, and the luxurious interiors took everyone by surprise.
The first generation of the XC90 was a mix of engines, technologies and parts from Ford, Volvo and even Yamaha (the V8 gasoline engine). This new generation is something completely different, though. With its own 2-liter turbocharged engines, diesel or gasoline, and a hybrid version for the top of the range T8, the 2014 XC90 is a medium-size SUV built for luxury and sustainability. The plug-in hybrid offers a combined total output of 400 hp, while the fuel consumption under WLTP norms is just 2.5 l/100 km (94 mpg).
Inside, beside the luxurious leather and wood, Volvo installed a crystal gearshift lever and a 1400W Bower&Wilkins sound system with 19 speakers. There are seven seats available, with genuine leather on the contact surfaces, and the last row of foldable seats can accommodate passengers up to 1.70 m (5.6 ft.) in height.
The overall exterior dimensions of the 2014 XC90 make it 4950 mm (16.2 ft.) long, 1923 mm (6.3 ft.) wide, and 1776 (5.8 ft.) tall, which makes it the biggest Volvo car at the time of its launch (except the Volvo long-wheel base custom limousines).
Even though Ford knew that it would have to sell Volvo, it didn’t want to sell it without some improvements on the Swedish carmaker lineup and introduced the facelifted XC90 model in 2007.
With a world economy deeply affected by the economic crisis, Ford had to work hard to survive. Moreover, it knew that the crisis effects wouldn’t spare the premium vehicles even though it decided to introduce the facelifted XC90 on the market, improving the SUV in most areas.
At the front, the carmaker installed a more visible silver plastic shield on the non-facelifted version. Also, the improved, clear-glass headlights brought a breeze of fresh air to the Swedish SUV. At the back, the taillights received a new design with squared reversing lights lenses and a similar wide plastic shield under the bumper, following the same design language as the front one. While it wasn’t a true off-road vehicle and more of s premium SUV based on a sedan platform, the customers appreciated those rugged-looking areas.
Inside, it was the same comfortable, seven-seat vehicle. While the first and middle rows looked better and offered adequate legroom, the last two jump seats in the trunk were suitable only for children.
Under the hood, Volvo offered the XC90 with a choice of three gasoline and three turbo-diesel engines.
By 1992 Ford already took control over the Swedish carmaker Volvo and pushed forward to launch the new SUV range, the XC90.
When it appeared on the market, the XC90 made the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class look odd. Its rugged appearance and seven-seat interior were far superior to what its main competitors had to offer. Moreover, Volvo’s reputation for safety transformed the Swedish SUV into a school-run favorite by moms and dads worldwide, especially in the U.S. Volvo built it on a platform developed by Swedish engineers.
Its look was a mix of big and rounded shapes. Its front fascia resembled the glorious PV544 model but with horizontal headlights instead of round ones. The tall greenhouse ensured impressive all-around visibility while at the back, the car featured broader shoulders over the wheel-arches, also known as “Volvo’s shoulders.” At the back, the tall taillights were part of the Volvo safety package. They were protected against minor bumps and visible from far behind the vehicle.
Inside, the XC90 featured a car-like interior mixed with an MPV dose. Its three-row seats allowed up to seven passengers inside, although the last row was mainly for children. Its middle seats were folding and could slide independently, one from another.
Volvo installed a range of gasoline and turbo-diesel engines ranged between 163 hp and 315 hp under the XC90’s hood. Apart from the 4.4-liter V-8, which Yamaha supplied, the rest of the powerplants were developed by Volvo.