The Volvo XC90 D5 AWD, 225 hp diesel, is still the most requested version in Spain and have already filmed her to know with what weapons faces the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Mercedes or Range Rover Sport GLE.

We’ve already driven the Volvo XC90 and now we focus on who is to be the best selling range fr. Already prices D4 (190 hp), D5 (225 hp), T5 (254 hp), T6 (320 hp) and T8 (400 hp), the plug-in hybrid, as other versions, not arrive until late year. In our market the launch range is set exclusively by the D5 versions in the field Diesel and gasoline T6. Anyone interested in any of the other XC90 can already place your order, but until the end of 2015 the first deliveries of other models will not occur.

Of the 600 requests made so far in the Spanish dealers -a worldwide and accumulate 30,000 solicitudes-, the D5 takes the cake, hence we have chosen this version of 225 hp to shoot first few hundred kilometers over the country .

Bigger and with more presence

The XC90 is 15 cm longer its predecessor, to bring its size to 4.95 m long, 1.92 m wide and 1.78 high. Its exterior is imposing and image transmits a high social status. Although from some angles reveals its line of kinship with the previous generation, it is evident modernity of its lines, highlighting a front to be hallmark of future Volvos with this new identity that give bright headlights with LED technology and design T lying next to a radiator grille with a drawing of vertical bars on a diagonal cross emblem Volvo.

By accessing inside, the doors and convey solidity, and then we find a comfortable driving position, with impeccable seats and a dashboard where you bet on a very refined modern design and. Good selection of materials, mixing leather with brushed aluminum elements in our unit, with manicured settings. Only the plastic housing collecting IntelliSafe, which is behind the mirror, has less presence. The dashboard is very modern, with legible analog digital watches designed on a very full screen.

The controls on steering wheel and dashboard simplify where striking the screen center touch vertical design and 12.3 inches, whose handling is quite intuitive after a short time to adapt. Combines the functions navigation, climate control and multimedia, connected compatible devices Android and Apple operating systems. Still, below are some shortcut buttons for some functions.

Always two liter

Mechanically also come changes. D5 above, that silky five cylinder 2.4 Volvo replaced in this second generation disappears 2.0 liter four-cylinder. The entire range is based on this engine, also petrol versions or even D4 190 hp which will arrive later this year, the only front-wheel drive XC90 and may be requested with only five seats.

The new D5 tetracilíndrico passes almost unnoticed ear and offers a nice answer, brighter recovery phases When we faced with an overtaking or seek more rapidly to maneuver, thanks especially to its generous torque -the maximum 48 mkg is available at 1,750 rpm-and its technology “twin turbo” which makes it more progressive power delivery. XC90 D5 This goes from 0 to 100 km / h in 7.8 seconds, with the contribution of its automatic gearbox eight gears -the same for the whole gamma-, which does the job correctly, but without reaching at times of maximum demand at the speed of response and perceived softness in some rivals German origin. Cams are recommended for the steering wheel available as an option.

The use of the new SPA platform has enabled lighten the weight XC90, which lies slightly below the average of the category, this version D5 AWD starting in its variant least equipped in the vicinity of two tons (2,030 kg). To increase the torsional strength have been used high strength steels in the frame. It has also worked conscientiously aerodynamics, to present the best Cx category (0.29). An amount of detail that has helped consumption approved by this XC90 D5 is 5.7 l / 100 km, obviously within what would laboratory conditions. In making contact, and legal speeds on expressways, the computer of our unit stood half in the vicinity of 7 liters, a figure that we saw exceeded during the few kilometers of mountain road in which we revive the pace looking for a sportier response.

Good manners

In those circumstances, the new XC90 reminds the driver that is a big and bulky car, but without losing face to a sufficiently effective leadership. Suspensions, more focused on preserving passenger comfort, allow some sway in the tightest turns in logic with the philosophy of the model, although its all-wheel drive and “torque vectoring” function help limit the understeer effect, optimizing delivering torque to each wheel. In addition, our unit had active air suspension, that via a control located between the front seats allows the driver to select Multimode -Confort, Eco, Off-Road, Dynamique and individually, modifying each different parameters affecting engine response, the suspension hardness and the consistency of the direction. In the sports program, the XC90 improve efficiency and agility and allows a step faster on winding roads curve. In any case, we must think about this D5 as a great traveling companion, ready to cover long mileages with a high level of comfort and refinement, and who wishes the convenience provided by the projection system data on the windshield.

As for habitability, the XC90 offers three rows of seats to accommodate up to seven passengers if required. All singles and folding. In the second row are sliding to adjust the gap as required, and the central square is narrower, but You can take an integrated booster a child to travel safely. The access hole to the third row requires some agility to enter that area, although their seats allowed passengers up to 1.75 m tall without bending your legs too much.

As for the trunk, with 7 seats a capacity of 314 liters, which become remains 692 liters If only they travel five passengers and up to 1880 liters when the seats of the two rear rows are folded leaving a completely flat floor. The gate has a system automatic opening and closing, and can carry a hands-free system is activated to move your foot under the bumper.

four finishes

The D5 cheaper finish starts at 59,471 euros Kinetic, with standard equipment already quite extensive. Above are the Mommentum, Inscription and R-Design terminations. Together with the usual aids driving search as alert involuntary change lanes, control dead angle or detector driver fatigue, the XC90 releases a emergency braking device at intersections, and a system of greater protection to a vehicle exit the roadway, which strained over seat belts and has a mechanism on the bench seat to absorb some of the energy that would reach the backbone of the occupants in an impact. It can also be equipped with an cruise control with distance control even handles the steering wheel up to a speed of 50 km / h, or the vision system 3600 to improve safety in the maneuvers. It may also incorporate a stereo Bowers&Wilkins including up to 19 speakers.