Review: Volvo Mk.2 XC90 (2015-on)

Overview

Officially released in Australia in August 2015, the Volvo Mk.2 XC90 was a seven-seat SUV. Manufactured in Torslanda, Sweden, the all-wheel drive Volvo XC90 range consisted of D5, T6 and T8 variants, available in Momentum, Inscription and R-Design editions.

Drivetrains: XC90 D5, T6 and T8

Of the engines,

• For the XC90 D5, the 2.0-litre D4204T11 turbo-diesel engine had an aluminium block and head, common-rail direct injection, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 15.8:1;
• For the XC90 T6, the 2.0-litre B4204T27 supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.8:1; and,
• For the XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, the 2.0-litre B204T27 engine was combined with a 65 kW electric motor.

All engines were mated to Aisin Warner (AW TG-81SC) eight-speed automatic transmissions which had a sequential shift function. Maximum braked towing capacity for the XC90 was 2250 kg (for all variants).

All-wheel drive (AWD) system

The all-wheel drive system for the XC90 utilised a Haldex coupling that had an ‘Instant Traction’ function. While torque was primarily directed to the front wheels in normal conditions for fuel efficiency, ‘Instant Traction’ was a pre-charging function that enabled 80 Nm of torque to be instantly directed to the rear wheels in the event that the front wheels experienced a loss of traction. Once the viscous centre coupling was fully engaged, the all-wheel drive system provided a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

Dimensions and interior

Compared to the Volvo Mk.1 XC90 , the Mk.2 XC90 was 152 mm longer (at 4950 mm), 110 mm wider (2140 mm), 9 mm lower (1775 mm) and had a 127 mm longer wheelbase (2984 mm). Furthermore, the Mk.2 XC90 had a drag coefficient of 0.30 Cd.

Inside, the XC90 had three individual, second row seats with recline adjustment, while a sliding function could be used to create more legroom for passengers in the third row; for the centre seat, an integrated child booster cushion was optional. The third row seats were designed for occupants up to 170 cm tall, while all seats in the second and third rows could folded individually. Maximum cargo capacity was 1889 litres.

Suspension

Underpinned by Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the Volvo XC90 had double wishbone front suspension and an integral rear axle with transverse composite leaf springs. As an extra-cost option, the Volvo XC90 was available with air suspension and electronically-controlled dampers which enabled selectable drive modes (Volvo’s ‘Four-C’ system).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volvo XC90 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and seatbelts with pretensioners for all seven seats.

As standard, the XC90 was fitted with the following active safety technologies:

• City Safety (included Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection and Front Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake): could detect pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in front of the XC90 and warn the driver if a collision was anticipated. If the driver failed to respond, the brakes would be applied automatically to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision;
• Driver Alert Control: monitored driver behaviour for signs of fatigue and provided warnings;
• Lane Departure Warning: used a forward-facing camera to monitor lane markings when driving at speeds above 65 km/h. If the driver unintentionally drifted out of their lane, the system would provide gentle steering wheel torque to steer the vehicle back onto its intended course. If the vehicle departed from its lane, a warning would be issued via haptic vibration of the steering wheel;
• Road Sign Information Display: automatically detected road sign information and provided this information in the instrument display.

The XC90 Inscription and R-Design variants will be further equipped with:

• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA); and,
• Collision warning mitigation support.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a left-hand drive 2015 Volvo XC90 D5 Momentum received a five star safety rating which included a 97 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 87 per cent child occupant protection rating.

Brakes

The Volvo Mk.2 XC90 had 345 mm (diameter) front brake discs and 320 mm rear discs.

Features: XC90 Momentum, Inscription and R-Design

Standard features for the XC90 Momentum included 19-inch aluminium wheels with 235/55 R19 tyres, a 330 watt sound system with ten speakers, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio, HDD music storage, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, voice recognition, satellite navigation with a nine-inch centre console touch screen, four-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable front seats, cruise control (with speed limiter), directional LED headlights with washers, LED fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, 40/20/40 split and folding second row seats, folding third row seats, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver memory settings (for the seat and door mirrors), push-button start, auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, illuminated vanity mirrors, front and rear reading lights, three 12 volt power outlets, roof rails, a power-operated tailgate, silver roof rails, tyre pressure monitoring, a tyre sealant kit, 9.3-inch graphical instrument cluster, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the XC90 had a ‘Park assist pilot’ for automated steering during parking manoeuvres.

Compared to the Momentum, the XC90 Inscription was further equipped with 20-inch ‘Inscription’ aluminium wheels, Nappa leather seats, a proximity key, 12.3-inch full graphical instrument cluster, hands-free tailgate opening, illuminated door handles and puddle lights, illuminated tread plates and Inscription carpet sets. Visual cues for the XC90 Inscription will include its Inscription front grille, bright decor exterior, bright decor side moulding with embossed Inscription logo and Inscription exterior badge.

Relative to the Momentum, the XC90 R-Design featured 20-inch ‘R-Design’ aluminium wheels, R-Design sport seats in perforated Nappa leather, R-Design perforated leather steering wheel and gearshifter, steering wheel gearshift paddles, charcoal headlining and R-Design decor inlays. Furthermore, the XC90 R-Design will be identifiable by its R-Design front grille and spoiler, R-Design silk metal window trim, matte silver door mirror caps, bright integrated roof rails and R-Design illuminated tread plates.

An optional, $4000 ‘Driver Support Pack’ was also available which included a 360 degree surround view parking camera, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping aid and head-up display.

Urban Luxury and Rugged Luxury packages

The XC90 was available with two exterior styling themes –

• Urban Luxury: featured 21-inch polished alloy wheels and a colour co-ordinated body kit with polished stainless steel details such as front deco frames, front and rear skid plates and side scuff plates; and,
• Rugged Luxury: included 22-inch alloy wheels, tech matte black exterior trim, stainless steel skid plates, illuminated running boards and integrated exhaust pipes.

Paint colours

The Volvo XC90 was available in the following paint finishes:

• Ice White;
• Magic Blue;
• Electric Silver;
• Ember Black;
• Savile Grey;
• Twilight Bronze;
• Crystal White;
• Bright Silver;
• Osmium Grey;
• Onyx Black; and,
• Luminous Sand.

Brochure and downloads

• Brochure: 2015 Volvo XC90 Specifications, Features and Prices (October 2014)
• Features: Volvo Mk.2 XC90 Features (August 2014)
• Technical Specifications: Volvo Mk.2 XC90 (August 2014)
• Brochure: Volvo Mk.2 XC90 (July 2015)

Related links

• Press Kit: The all-new Volvo XC90 (May 2014)
• Volvo Australia: Volvo XC90
• Wikipedia.org: Volvo Mk.2 XC90
• Behind the Wheel: 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 Review