Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Volvo XC90 2.0 D5 AWD Momentum review: More of the premium, less of the running costs

150601 Volvo XC90 Launch Monday Martyn Collins0121
The new Volvo XC90 - still as practical, but classier, cleaner and lower on costs

Share

16 June 2015

Volvo XC90 2.0 D5 AWD Momentum review

What is it?

AFTER 12 years, this is the replacement for one of the most popular Volvo models, the XC90 SUV – after all Volvo has shifted 600,000 of them! It’s also popular as the XC90 is the first Volvo to be developed post Ford, shows the Swedish company’s new design direction and debuts a new scalable chassis.

What’s hot?

  • The new Volvo XC90 sets the design direction for the rest of the forthcoming new range and if the rest of the new Volvo models look as good as this, the Volvo brand deserves to go from strength to strength.
  • Although similar in silhouette to the outgoing XC90, there are plenty of interesting details for this flowing design. At the front, there’s the massive Volvo family grille and ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights, which are basically a strip of daytime running lights running through the centre of the headlights. At the side, the more heavily raked windscreen and round wheel arches give a sleeker look. Probably most similar to the old car from the back, the new XC90 still uses the tall taillights to great effect.
  • The inside of the new XC90 is a really nice place to be, although in entry-level Momentum form you have to do without some of the high-end trim. However, all the plastics feel top quality and you do still get expensive looking brushed metal inserts around the door handles and the lower part of the pleasingly uncluttered dashboard. There are also digital dials and all of the entertainment and climate functions of the XC90 are controlled by a nine-inch tablet-style touch-screen.
  • The Swedes make great seats and on top of this, the new XC90’s driving position proved comfortable as well. The seats remain comfortable in the second and third rows too. Even the tallest six-footers will fit in the third row on short trips. There’s even still a usable boot with all three rows of seats in place.
  • D5 in name only now, so gone is the racy five-cylinder engine note, but on the positive side, the new modular 2.0-litre twin-turbo four cylinder now boasts 225bhp (up 25bhp). Best described as smooth and refined, with the eight-speed automatic, we just wish the soundtrack was more inspiring.
  • Another positive of the new modular D5 engine in the XC90 should be the lower running costs, with a 49.6mpg combined consumption figure and just 149g/km emissions. A 66g/km improvement over the old model, meaning this Volvo falls into tax band F, so this seven-seater SUV will cost you just £145 a year in VED.
  • The standard steel springs (air springs are an option well worth considering) and 19-inch alloy wheels equal a pleasant, refined drive in the XC90. It’s an SUV and no sportscar in corners, so expect more body roll, but on the plus side there’s plenty of grip.
  • In D5 Momentum form, the new multifaceted XC90 makes such a sensible case as an SME company car. With CO2 emissions of 149g/km, plus a combined fuel consumption figure of 49.6mpg, this Volvo falls into the 27% company car tax band for 2015/2016.
  • There are plenty of options and packs to make the new XC90 truly your own, but be careful these options soon add up.
  • Volvo is well-known for its safety features and with standard City Safety Technology, including autonomous braking, plus pedestrian and cyclist protection and front collision warning. We think Volvo has the right to say the XC90 is the safest car it has ever made.

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Latest news

Top