NOT SO SPORTING

The Volvo XC90 is safe. Beyond that, the SUV doesn8217;t make much of an impact

Sports Utility Vehicles are the flavour of the season for uber-cool, super-rich Indians. With a range of models from Scorpio to Honda CR-V and Porsche Cayenne, there is one for everybody. To this list, Volvo adds its own dash of excitement with the XC 90. Given that the concept originated in the West, it8217;s worth looking at what the European auto major offers.
XC 90 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV which debuted in 2003. The car enjoys the same P2 platform as the other Volvo offering in India8212;the S80. It8217;s the Swedish company8217;s best-selling vehicle in the world, is the recipient of various awards, and got a new V8 Yamaha engine in 2005.

Exterior
Much like its parent company, Ford Motor Corp8217;s Endeavour, the XC 90 looks every inch an SUV. With its big, brutish looks and high ground clearance, it has a menacing presence. A large hood, courtesy the engine bay and big headlamps, complement the vehicle8217;s visage. The rear is more orthodox with tail lamps stretching to the roof. The spare wheel is tucked below the luggage area, which means the rear is relatively clean.

Interiors
While the exterior is exciting, the interiors are a bit disappointing. For a car that costs close to half a crore, it lacks that extra touch and finesse. While it has a host of features, from inscription and executive seats to coat hooks even at the front and the attention to detail is good, it fails to make an impression. The leg room at the front is good but the rear seats are uncomfortable. With no flexibility in rear seating and lack of recliners, short people will have a problem. The car has a luggage space which is more than required and it is difficult to understand why Volvo did not compromise an inch or two for greater comfort in the rear seats. The lack of dual air conditioning means the rear passenger comfort is compromised further. It8217;s definitely not a chauffeur-driven vehicle.

Engine and Powertrain
The eight-cylinder V8 is better than the five-cylinder diesel. The 4.4-litre V8 belts out a massive 315 bhp at 5,850 rpm and is torquey at 440 Nm at 3,900 rpm. The diesel is more understated, though the torque specifications are better with a high-end 400 Nm at just 2,000-2,750 rpm. The diesel8217;s low rpm torque ensures that it is best suited for stop-go traffic conditions. On the highway, though, the V8 rules. The V8 also scores over the diesel in NVH and refinement. There is no perceptible lag in the V8, while the diesel takes longer to get in the groove. The noise and vibration are much higher, and once behind the wheel, you know there8217;s a diesel motor at work.

Safety
It comes with an impressive array of safety features, with separate devices for preventive and protective safety. It has an anti-skid system, roll stability control and anti-lock braking system with emergency brake assistance. As for protection, apart from the airbags, it has such sophisticated devices as the inflatable curtain and anti-submarining operation. Further, it has protective system for other cars that may collide with it and for unprotected road users8212;a first in India.

Final word
The V8 is more exciting though the diesel is more fuel efficient. But at Rs 54 lakh, it8217;s a few lakhs too many. The cars have their flaws which blunt the edge of exemplary safety features. Unlike other cars, there is a perceptible difference in the petrol and diesel variants, but the diesel being cheaper, the D5 is a rationale choice.