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A good car is one that makes its purpose clear and then lives up to what it says it will do without disappointment. By this measure, the Volvo XC90 is a good car. More than any other seven-seater, the XC90 excels at being a comfortable, practical, desirable family wagon.
It needs to be. The new model replaces a much-loved first-generation car that sold for twelve years. Since its 2003 launch, the original XC90 found 15,000 Australian buyers, with Volvo selling more than two hundred a month at the 2007 peak.
Even for a European car, twelve years is an age between models. The new XC90 has been in development for half a decade. A major delay resulted from Ford’s sale of Volvo to the Chinese conglomerate Geely, in 2010. A 2013 release ballooned to a September 2015 launch.
Concerns about quality under the Chinese haven’t been realised. Instead, Geely have been overseen Volvo’s resurgence, pouring funding into the brand’s fledgling Scalable Product Architecture, the modular platform underpinning the next wave of Volvos, including the XC90.
The result is impressive. The XC90 is Volvo’s first pitch out of the premium class into the luxury segment. Specification is up, but pricing shifts accordingly: the new base model, called Momentum, leaves little change from $100,000. That’s more-or-less identical to a four-cylinder BMW X5 with seven seats, though it’s the Volvo that is more comfortable and generously equipped. And once it arrives later in the year, Volvo will ask about $130,000 for a fast petrol-electric engine.
Key specs (as tested)
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The estimate provided does not take into account your personal circumstances but is intended to give a general indication of the cost of insurance, in order to obtain a complete quote, please visit www.budgetdirect.com.au. Estimate includes 15%^ online discount.
^Conditions Apply
Budget Direct Insurance arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd ACN 003 617 909(AGS) AFSL 241 411, for and on behalf of the insurer, Auto & General Insurance Company Limited(ABN 42 111 586 353, AFSL 285 571).Because we don’t know your financial needs, we can’t advise you if this insurance will suit you. You should consider your needs and the Product Disclosure Statement before making a decision to buy insurance. Terms and conditions apply.
Indicative quote based on assumptions including postcode , 40 year old male with no offences, licence suspensions or claims in the last 5 years, a NCD Rating 1 and no younger drivers listed. White car, driven up to 10,000kms a year, unfinanced, with no modifications, factory options and/or non-standard accessories, private use only and garaged at night.
^Online Discounts Terms & Conditions
1. Discounts apply to the premium paid for a new Budget Direct Gold Comprehensive Car Insurance, Third Party Property Only or Third Party Property, Fire & Theft Insurance policy initiated online on or after 29 March 2017. Discounts do not apply to optional Roadside Assistance.
2. Discounts do not apply to any renewal offer of insurance.
3. Discounts only apply to the insurance portion of the premium. Discounts are applied before government charges, taxes, levies and fees, including instalment processing fees (as applicable). The full extent of discounts may therefore be impacted.
4. We reserve the right to change the offer without notice.
