Faults:

The only problem was that the day after I picked it up from the dealer I noticed a small tear in the leather of the drivers seat. I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced the entire piece for free.

General Comments:

Beautiful car. Crystal green color looks green in some light and silver in other light. I test drove the Volkswagen Toureg, BMW X-5, Infiniti FX-35, Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, and the Lexus RX-330 and none of them compared to the excellent ride, acceleration, and comfort of the Volvo.

My neighbor saw me roll into the driveway one day, talked to me about the car the next day, and then drove his brand new Volvo XC-90 home the next week.

Faults:

A really worrying design fault with the factory fit televisions. In essence, as they do not tilt to adjust to the hight of the viewer, anybody under 5' cannot see output from the LCD screen. The LCD screen viewing capacity/angle does not extend beyond a natural seating position for a 5'5" or so adult/child.

Volvo's reaction: sit your kids and your granny on a booster seat which we will provide free of charge.

My reaction: Do you really expect my mother in-law or my 13 year old son to sit on a booster seat on napper leather upholstery?

Volvo: The brochure does say that the screens do not tilt.

My reaction: Does it also go on to say that in order for anybody to view the screens with the front seats in a safe driving position, the rear seat occupants should kneel up or sit on a booster seat?

Volvo: Well, this is a characteristic of the vehicle.

My reaction: I did not pay £45,500 for a vehicle with a design fault that could in the event of an accident, have either my children in the rear seats or a front seat occupant put in position of great danger. I think I had better write to your manager.

General Comments:

Shame about the above, but anyhow, the XC90 is a seriously practical, stylish and safe, without the TVs in use, family car.

It made perfect sense to shift away from a fixed 7 seat bus for my wife and two children. It has been a real delight.

The interior is perhaps one of the most flexible we have ever used, seven seats to take the football team out or just two seats up front for a large load. The perfect family balance with loads of driveway presence.

Faults:

Automatic folding mirrors periodically fail to operate, and then correct immediately.

Rain sensor (replaces intermittent wipers) not sensitive enough, despite adjustment on stalk.

General Comments:

This purpose-built SUV delivers on all counts: Roomy, comfortable, and luxurious materials and finish appropriate to its cost.

Although there are many thoughtful amenities designed in (the fan does not blow cold air on you before the engine warms sufficiently to match the temp selected), there are also a few design flaws. The dash reflects badly in the windshield during most daylight conditions. There is no place for a cell phone to sit; nor is a cell phone integrated, as it should be. Turbo lag is monumental between 1st and 2nd if the throttle is stomped from a standing stop.

Despite these flaws, the benefits are greater. There is no means to appreciate the safety built in except knowing it is there. And the stability programs and brake assist are remarkable.

This car has truck-like capacities without handling like one. No Suburban-like dreadnought, you will always know where your car's four corners are--and feel assured that they will stay planted where you place them.

Faults:

The windshield washer hose on the passenger side was not connected at delivery.

The "check engine" dashboard light came on for a short while at 800 miles. A call to the dealer had me adjust the fuel cap to restore tank pressure and the light went off.

General Comments:

The XC90 T6 AWD is a fantastic car. Volvo makes a strong case about the car's safety, and I am impressed. Air bags everywhere, roll-over control, crumple zones, a roof that won't squash, quick steering response, all add up to a sense of confidence when I drive... even more so when my daughter drives.

The performance and handling around town is a bit lumpy, but on the interstate the car is magnificent.

The interior is roomy with plenty of space for five plus a full load of cargo. I bought the 7 seater because I thought it would add to the eventual resale value, but we seldom use the third row and keep it folded into the floor.

The wood steering wheel grips easily and is much better than the standard wheel which feels bloated and hard to grip.

The Pro-Logic stereo is a dream. To be honest, I sometimes drive the car only to listen to the stereo. It makes long drives fun.

The 6 cyl. engine and four speed transmission are a bit sluggish around town. The car feels a bit heavy at slow speeds. Once on the highway the car is a well mannered rocket. Plenty of power at the mid-to-top end.

I like this car a lot.