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For a Sweet, Comfortable Life
2005 Volvo XC90 V8 AWD ASR7
By Alain Gayot


In short: This great, easy to love family wagon might be hard to pass up after a test drive.

This good-looking XC90 SUV/crossover is made in Sweden but boasts a Japanese motor and transmission. Volvo is owned by Ford, an American company, and most units will be sold in America. All kinds of creature comforts have been packed into this vehicle, which represents the top of the line for Volvo. It comes with legendary safety features, three rows of seating and has a keen mind for the environment.

The car looks and feels tall, which is great for interior headroom. Lines remain very Volvoish but are soft and modern. The cabin is spacious in the front with a no-nonsense dashboard, except for the DVD Navigation screen, which is not ideally positioned. Having said that, the navigation system’s workings on the steering wheel, including the remote for side or rear passenger activation, is quite nifty. In the back things get a bit tighter, especially if you manage to squeeze in the third row.

Drive it and you will keep on liking it even more. The big V8 engine delivers ample, continuous and smooth power. An electronically-controlled all-wheel drive system coupled with what is the world’s first gyroscopic roll stability control system (to help prevent rollovers) make the XC90 a completely surefooted automobile. Driving as well as parking is easy, and you might forget you're driving in an SUV rather than a luxury sedan, despite the fact that you have a cargo area of 93.5 cubic feet.

The car is loaded with technological options such as individual climate zone, individual DVD screen in the second row and keyless two-step entry. It is also environmentally-conscious, with a PremAir coating on the radiator that helps transform ground level ozone into oxygen as you drive.

City mileage is not the best, especially if you make use of most of the 311 horsepower. But don’t forget that Volvos have great resale value. A base model with the lesser engine starts around $35,000 and V8s start around $45,000.

Warranty/Service: 48 month/50,000 mile limited warranty coverage,
144 month/unlimited mileage corrosion protection.

Learn more about Volvo Overseas Delivery

QUICK SHEET
Price as tested: $52,405

Technical Specifications

Performance Data

Engine: Supercharged V8 engine
-311 horsepower

Transmission: Geartronic Six-speed automatic transmission

Safety: Rollover Protection Systm (ROPS), Driver & Front Passenger Side Impact Airbags

Top Speed: 125 mph (electronically controlled)

Acceleration: 0-60 in 6.9 seconds

Braking: 4-Wheel Power Assisted, Ventilated Disc Brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System

Fuel Economy: 14/city, 20/highway

Handling: Front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar & anti-dive geometry, fully independent rear multi-link suspension

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Photography: AlphaMedia

(Updated: 07/28/08 HC)



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