The XC90 has proved an instant success since its launch in 2003, and has rapidly become
Volvo’s best selling model, globally and in the UK, with total sales of over 84,000 in 2004, of
which over 7,000 came to British customers.
With its modern design, powerful diesel and petrol engines, Roll Over Protection System
(ROPS) and seven-seat capability, the Volvo XC90 is not only stylish and desirable – but a
next generation Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that takes it a step ahead of other key premium
brand rivals.
The XC90 has made a big impact on the press and public alike, with its innovative interior,
comprehensive standard specification, competitive pricing, and advanced safety features –
with over 2,200 customers placing orders before it arrived in showrooms. It has become
Volvo’s best selling model, and XC90 production at Volvo’s Torslanda plant in Sweden has
increased by nearly 50 per cent over initial plans to nearly 90,000 per annum.
The XC90 has won prestigious SUV awards over in USA - the homeland of the SUV - while
here in the UK its many awards include
What Car?
Magazine’s ‘Best 4x4’, and
The Sun
newspaper’s ‘SUV of the Year’.
Design concept
Inside and out, the XC90 showcases great design:
“Masculine, but not macho; muscular, but not aggressive,” is how Peter Horbury, former Vice
President and Chief Designer at Volvo Cars describes the XC90. “Nobody should be in any
doubt that this is a modern Volvo.”
The interior design is characterised by airiness, space and quality with a dashboard set low
for a car-like driving experience and using typically simple Scandinavian style.
Typical of the XC90’s ingenuity and flexibility is the removable armrest between the front
seats to offer more legroom for the passenger in the centre seat in the second row of seats.
But there’s more: That centre seat also has an integrated booster cushion and slides forward
to bring a child closer to the passengers in the front seats.
In fact, all seven seats are individual with head restraints and seatbelt pretensioners, while,
unlike some rivals, the XC90’s sixth and seventh seats don’t take up valuable loadspace or
have to be clumsily removed; instead they simply and cleverly fold away individually under
the boot floor when not required.