Volvo XC90 2007 $23,995

Vehicle Overview Volvo's first sport utility vehicle, the 2003 XC90, came amid doubts about SUV safety, particularly with regard to rollovers. Thanks to an array of advanced safety features seat belt pretensioners for all seats, side curtain-type airbags that stay inflated longer during a rollover, and an electronic stability system with rollover mitigation technology the XC90 largely avoided the concerns that plagued its competitors. For 2007, Volvo adds more safety features to the XC90: headlights that swivel to better illuminate corners, a rearview camera and a Blind Spot Information System that can alert drivers to nearby vehicles. Other enhancements include an all-new 3.2-liter, six-cylinder engine (a V-8 is still the top choice) and some minor styling revisions. Exterior Most onlookers won't distinguish a 2007 XC90 from the 2006 model. Both have the same familiar Volvo face a diagonally bisected grille with scalloped headlights. The 2007 XC90 frees sections of the lower bumper from the black plastic cladding attached to older models, but it's hardly a dramatic rescue. The redesigned taillights have lower clear portions but maintain the same shape. The door handles and side mirrors are now body-colored, and the mirrors incorporate turn signals. The roof rails are trimmed in black or aluminum, and optional wheels measure 18 inches in diameter. All-wheel drive is standard. Interior The dashboard and instrument panel dome employ slanted, angular themes, as does a three-spoke steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. Changes for 2007 are minor: An optional backup system now includes a rearview camera that maps the XC90's projected path on a dashboard screen. Various console knobs get chrome surrounds, and the new Sovereign Hide leather upholstery is said to have a softer feel than last year's not-so-sovereign hide. The XC90 seats five people in two rows. An optional third row bumps capacity up to seven, but it's a tight squeeze in back (Volvo recommends the third row for occupants 5 feet 3 inches or shorter). A built-in child-safety seat in the second row adjusts forward up to 12 inches to keep children closer to adults up front. The rear seats fold down, as does the front passenger seat. With all seats stowed, maximum cargo volume measures 92 cubic feet in five-seat models and 93.2 cubic feet in seven-seat models. Under the Hood A 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine produces 235 horsepower and 236 pounds-feet of torque. It replaces last year's turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder that made 208 hp and 236 pounds-feet of torque. An optional 4.4-liter V-8 generates 311 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines use a six-speed-automatic transmission. When properly equipped, the XC90 can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Safety Offering unmatched safety in its segment, the XC90 comes loaded with four-wheel disc, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system with Roll Stability Control. RSC, now shared with various Ford, Mercury and Lincoln SUVs, anticipates impending rollovers with a gyroscopic sensor. It can attempt to avert them by cutting torque and applying individual brakes. Side-impact and side curtain-type airbags for all three rows of seats are standard, with the latter designed to stay inflated longer in rollovers. All seat belts include pretensioners that cut slack in the event of a collision. Most seat belt systems include this provision only in the front seats. The XC90 also receives Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, which debuted on several 2005 models. BLIS adds a small camera to each side mirror to measure movement in the driver's blind spot and activate warning lights on the A-pillars when necessary. New xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights automatically rotate up to 15 degrees based on steering wheel input to illuminate corners better than conventional headlights.

• City 15/hwy 20 (4.4L engine/6-speed auto trans)
• Pwr glass moonroof
• Matte silver roof rails
• Color-keyed bodyside moldings
• Halogen headlights
• Front fog lights
• Rear fog light w/auto-off
• Safe Approach & Home Safe security lighting
• Daytime running lights
• Tinted rear windows
• Pwr retractable heated mirrors w/memory water repellant glass turn signal indicators
• Rainsensing front wipers
• Rear intermittent wiper w/automatic function in reverse when front wipers on
• Color-keyed door handles
• 70/30 dual-split tailgate
• Front reclining bucket seats w/side bolsters
• 8-way pwr driver seat w/adjustable lumbar 3-position memory
• 8-way pwr passenger seat w/adjustable lumbar
• Flat-folding front passenger seat
• Flat-folding 40/20/40 split 2nd row seat
• 2nd row integrated booster cushion
• 3rd row leather seat
• Padded head restraints at all seating positions
• SPORT leather seating surfaces
• Front center armrest
• SPORT floor mats
• Brushed stainless steel sill moldings
• (12) cup holders
• SPORT perforated leather steering wheel w/illuminated cruise & audio controls
• Tilt/telescopic steering column
• SPORT watch-dial instrument cluster
• Trip computer
• Driver info display
• Outside temp gauge
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Pwr windows
• Central pwr locks
• Remote keyless entry
• Cruise control
• Security alarm system w/battery backup
• Ignition immobilizer anti-theft system
• HomeLink universal garage door opener
• Dual-zone electronic climate control (ECC)
• 3rd row air conditioning w/separate controls
• Rear window defroster w/timer
• AM/FM stereo w/6-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer
• Sirius satellite radio prep
• Rear audio headphone outlets & controls
• Illuminated lockable glove box
• (3) 12V pwr outlets
• SPORT interior styling
• Front door storage pockets
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• Front/rear reading lamps
• Front footwell entry lights
• Cargo area lights
• Interior cabin light delay feature
• SPORT perforated leather shift knob
• Front seatback storage pockets
• Cargo area grocery bag holder
• 4.4L V8 engine
• 6-speed driver-adaptive Geartronic automatic transmission w/OD lock-up winter mode
• Dynamic stability & traction control (DSTC)
• Roll stability control (RSC)
• Electronically-controlled all wheel drive w/Instant Traction
• PremAir treated radiator for smog reduction
• Matte silver front skid plate
• Towbar preparation
• MacPherson strut front suspension w/coil springs (2006)
• Multi-link independent rear suspension w/coil springs (2006)
• Sport-tuned Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension
• Front/rear stabilizer bars
• 255/50R19 all-season tires
• 19 VULCANIS alloy wheels
• Sport-tuned speed-sensitive pwr steering
• 4-wheel pwr disc brakes
• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) w/electronic brake distribution (EBD) emergency brake assistance (EBA)
• Dual chrome exhaust pipes
• **ALL STANDARDS ARE 2007 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED**
• Driver/front passenger dual stage airbags w/passenger weight sensor
• Side impact protection system (SIPS)
• Roll-over protection system (ROPS)
• Driver/front passenger whiplash protection seating system (WHIPS)
• 3-point seat belts w/pretensioners for all seating positions
• Front seat belt force limiters
• Overhead-mounted seat belt reminder lights
• Child safety rear door locks
• Rear window deactivation
• ISO-FIX child seat attachment system
• Collapsible steering column
• Boron steel reinforced passenger compartment
• Front cross-member for SUV-to-car impact compatibility
• Anti-submarine seats
• Pedestrian protection