Volvo XC90 (02 on) - Review

Originally just two engines were available - a 272bhp 2.9-litre six-cylinder petrol (the T6) and a 163bhp 2.4-litre five-cylinder diesel unit (the D5) and it's the latter which is the most popular thanks to its blend of good pulling power and decent economy - 31mpg with the Geartronic automatic and 34 mpg with the manual which was introduced in 2004. The T6 is - as you'd expect - thirsty and returns a poor 22mpg. In 2004 a mid-level 2.5T petrol engine was added to the range. The turbocharged five-cylinder unit produces 210bhp and accelerates from 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds while averaging 25mpg. In 2005 the popular D5 engine was upgraded to 185bhp with the 0-62mph time improving considerably from 12.2 seconds to 10.9 seconds. The previous 163bhp D5 was then renamed as the 2.4D.

With a suspension and chassis designed for comfort, it's no surprise that the XC90 is a superb long distance cruiser that soaks up uneven surfaces and potholes with ease. The driving position is quite car-like, but on corners it can feel quite ponderous and heavy, not helped by the over-assisted steering which lacks feel. There's a fair amount of body roll in tighter turns and on demanding roads, alternatives like the BMW X5 are superior. But the Volvo excels in terms of refinement and low noise levels, while the strong brakes ensure good stopping performance. The SE Sport model, introduced in late 2006, has stiffer suspension and more responsive steering along with larger 19-inch alloys. As a result it's flatter in corners and feels far more agile than the standard version. However, the trade-off is a firmer ride which takes the edge of comfort. Another gripe (on all models) is the poor turning circle, which makes tight manoeuvres tricky.