Over the years, what we’ve learnt when testing Volvo’s is that the seats are so incredibly comfortable that it makes getting into the cabin of any other car afterwards very difficult indeed – and the XC is no exception. If you’ve ever sat on a classic Swedish recliner, you’ll know exactly what it feels like to be in the drivers’ chair of this Scandinavian heavyweight. In fact, the trump card of the XC truly is its exceptionally comfortable cabin – especially over a long journey.

In addition to the seats, there are some other interesting details as well – in this case, an almost Germanic attention to detail. Like in many Audi’s, the nicely crafted three-spoke steering wheel in the XC has a slight ridge at the bottom half of the steering so that your palm falls nicely in place if you hold the wheel correctly at the three-and-nice position. In addition, the quality of materials on the whole are very good indeed. There’s a vast acreage of dashboard that stretches out in front of you. Add to that a high seating position, and you have a dictator-like view of the road ahead. Facing you are a very agreeable set of clear analogue gauges, and a clean center console.

Being a Volvo, safety is paramount. So you get an entire complement of front, side, and curtain airbags, as well as seats that incorporate anti whiplash technology, which Volvo refers to as WHIPS. And, as mentioned earlier, you also get a built-in booster seat in the rear bench – not to mention third-row seats. Calling it a true seven-seater is a little tricky though, because it would have to be a very strong friendship indeed if you plan on relegating any full-size adults to the third row, which is really only fit for seven year olds’ at best.

There are a few more shortcomings as well. While the XC90 offers iPod / USB connectivity and pretty good sound, it’s in desperate need of a proper media interface – as found in its considerably more expensive rivals. The small, now relatively primitive, readout on the center console is clear and easy to read but makes it very difficult to navigate through playlists and the like. And while it has parking sensors in the rear, in a car this big you’d at least like an accompanying graphic display in addition to the audible warning. There’s also one very nice touch in the new S80, which we tested recently, that’s missing on the XC – as you unlock the doors in Volvo’s flagship saloon, you’re greeted by the wing mirrors unfolding automatically (and vice versa). The lack of these few tech toys aside, there’s no denying that the cabin of the XC90 is remarkably comfortable indeed.



On the road

The emphasis on comfort is carried over to the driving experience of the XC90 as well. I suppose it would be pointless having supremely soft and comfortable seats if the suspension bounced you around the cabin every time you went over a small bump. Well, in this case, the XC gives you a free hand to drive over pretty much any surface you’d like without any trepidation whatsoever. And on the road from Delhi to Corbett, believe me it helps. I found myself overtaking streams of traffic on the shoulder while my aforementioned occupants remained completely undisturbed in their state of serene slumber.

The compromise between ride and handling seems to have been perfectly achieved for a vehicle of this size. While the likes of Mercedes have adjustable air suspension that allows you to change the nature of the setup, the Volvo has to make do with more conventional damper and spring settings. The end result is an SUV that rides brilliantly over any surface. And while the steering isn’t particularly communicative, the car does respond to your inputs and always feels well in control – it doesn’t merely wallow in response to a soft setup. The big surprise came off-road – with the Michelin 235/65 R17 tyres providing plenty of grip. You can even turn off the traction control and indulge in controlled slides without excessive roll, pitch or dive. Moreover, you can literally drive over pretty much anything without fear of getting beached. Under normal conditions, the Volvo transmits the majority of its power to the front wheels, but automatically distributes drive between the front and rear wheels as and when needed. On the riverbed, we encountered some fairly deep sand, as well as sizable boulders – all of which were easily dismissed by the Volvo. Bear in mind, however, that it doesn’t have any specific off-roading tech, such as a low range gearbox or locking diffs, etc., so you do have to be careful not to get overly adventurous.

Where the Volvo does fall short, however, is in the engine department. The single turbo, 185 horsepower five-cylinder diesel engine feels sluggish when attempting to propel the sizable girth of the XC90. While the transmission is smooth and responsive, and downshifts quickly, you distinctly feel the turbo lag before making any forward progress of note – something that’s been all but eliminated in the S80 D5 with its new 205 horsepower, twin-turbo five-cylinder diesel. As it stands, the XC90 is virtually desperate to have this new power-plant slotted in its engine bay as well.

The active safety features in the Volvo, as expected, are numerous. They consist of Volvo’s Roll Over Protection System (ROPS), which includes Roll stability Control (RSC), and Dynamic Stability & Traction Control (DSTC) – this in turn includes active yaw control and spin control. It also has Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). I believe all of those acronyms add up to spell DIMWIT if you actually crash despite them.

Verdict

At the end of the day, it’s really the exceptional space and comfort afforded by the XC90 that truly stands out. The best part, of course, is that it provides this luxury without much of the snobbery normally associated with it. This is very much a car for the grown up in you – let’s just say you’re never going to lust after an XC90. But it is certainly the sensible choice. As for the tigers – no, we didn’t see any. We did see a lot of pugmarks however. But it appears we were going against tiger traffic because their foot prints always seemed to be going in the opposite direction. So, be a Good Samaritan and do your bit to help tiger conservation. And while you’re at it, buy a Volvo if you’re sensible enough. Oh, and in case you’re wondering – following the road trip, the XC90 was met with absolute approval by the discerning four year old, which is quite a vote of confidence if you ask me.

Engine	:	2,400cc / in-line 5 cylinder / 20 valves / turbocharged / common rail direct injection
Fuel	:	Diesel
Transmission	:	6-speed automatic / All-Wheel Drive
Power	:	185bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque	:	295lb/ft @ 2000-2750rpm
Price	:	Rs. 43 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi)