During the height of the dot-com era, there was a lot of hype around being
the first company into a market, or the so-called "first-mover advantage."
The rationale was that the first company into a market could build up an
overwhelming lead and would be impossible to catch. Fortunately, Volvo
didn¹t pay much attention to this accepted wisdom.

Now a lot of first-movers are dead and buried and it looks like Volvo is
reaping what could be called the "last-mover advantage." Volvo is one of the
last automotive companies to enter the SUV arena and seems to have benefited by sitting back and carefully studying the market before launching the XD90.

What Volvo learned was that among its successful, highly educated buyers
there is a concern about SUV safety. And what better problem for Volvo to
address in its new model.

The new XC90 sport utility is a very innovative vehicle that is selling like
tickets to the Superbowl and will definitely be an influence on the industry
for years to come. The XC90 combines new levels of SUV safety in a versatile
package that is proving to be a hit with the suburban set who are looking
for an all-purpose family vehicle.

Despite the fact that SUVs look big and rugged and that some people buy them
with the erroneous belief in their safety, industry insiders have questioned
this belief, particularly in terms of their susceptibility to vehicle
rollover and occupant safety.

Volvo's exclusive Roll Stability Control system was developed in direct
response to the fact that the higher center of gravity in a SUV results in
an increased incidence of rollover if a driver suddenly should swerve to
avoid a dog bounding across the road. The new system is designed to prevent
a rollover through the implementation of active technology. The new system
makes use of gyroscopic sensors that determine the angle and speed of an
impending rollover. Computer logic then engages the XC90¹s Dynamic Stability Traction Control system that instantaneously is able to reduce power, or apply braking action to one or more wheels, thereby putting the vehicle back
on a safe course. 

But should a rollover occur, the new XC90 has additional features that come
into play. The vehicle¹s roof structure is reinforced with a special boron
alloy that is much stronger than normal steel. Occupants are further
protected by in inflatable air curtain that drops down from the headliner in
a side impact or rollover. In addition, each of the seven passenger seats
are equipped with seatbelt pretension that pull the seat belt tight to keep
the passenger securely planted in the seat.

The XC90¹s road manners are above average for the category. Our test vehicle was powered by a highly recommended optional twin-turbocharged inline six that delivers 268 horsepower and is more than adequate for the job. The only disappointment was gasoline mileage, which is no better than most. On the road, the XC90 is a pleasant adventure. The ride and handling are certainly comparable with competing luxury SUVs from Lexus and Acura. The price for a well-equipped six-cylinder model is about $43,000.

The SC90¹s interior offers flexibility for a wide range of family uses. The
optional third row of seats folds flat into the floor when not in use. The
second row of seats can be configured so that the bench seat can be moved
back and forth, allowing more legroom for passengers in the third row.

The overall design of the XC90 extends the basic look of the ubiquitous
Volvo to a larger platform, but maintains the basic lines. The resulting
vehicle seems more imposing, but retains the no-nonsense, clean look of the
Volvo wagon. The interior is handsomely conceived and executed with
comfortable seats and a center console that contains a wealth of
information, but is easy to access and use.

 
Vehicle: Volvo XC90 AWD

Price as tested: $42,950

Engine:

         Type: 2.9-liter inline six

         Horsepower: 268 @ 5,100 rpm

         Torque: 280-ft. lbs. @ 1,800 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 15 mpg

         Highway - 20 mpg

Curb Weight: 4,701 lbs.