2011 Volvo XC90

We suggest the 2011 XC90 3.2 R-Design trim as it provides a sportier riding experience with sports-tuned suspension, sport styling wheel, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It also gets many creature comforts and comes with a superior safety quotient too. Although, having said that, if you need sheer performance then you can go for the XC90 V8 trim.

The 2011 XC90 is available in mainly three trims namely the 3.2 Base, 3.2 R-Design, and the V8 trims. The prices for the same start from an MSRP of $38,200 for the base trim, and go all the way up to $47,800 for the V8 trim. The XC90 trims are powered by a standard 3.2L V-6 engine or a bigger 4.4L V-8 engine for better performance. While the FWD setup is standard with the base trims, the top V8 trim gets AWD as standard.

All the trims of the 2011 XC90 come with signature Volvo safety, comfort, and luxury, that you would expect from a Volvo vehicle. For the year, both Bluetooth and Satellite radio are offered as standard. Besides the trim features available, every XC90 trim has been made eligible for certain packages on offer by Volvo. While the Multimedia, Climate, and Dynamic package are available in all trims, the prestigious Luxury package is only privy to the V8 trim.

The 2011 Volvo XC90 is not a very fuel-efficient SUV. It delivers about 16 MPG, 22 MPG, and 18 miles to the gallon, in the city, on the highway, and in mixed driving conditions respectively. With a fuel tank capacity of 21.1 gallons, the 2011 XC90 can travel up to 338 miles, 464 miles, and 380 miles, in the city, on the highway, and in mixed driving conditions respectively.

The Buick Enclave and BMW X5 are more fuel-efficient as compared to the competition. Both come with the same combined fuel efficiency figures but owing to a larger 22.5-gallon fuel tank, the X5 wins the range battle. The XC90 and Acura MDX, both offer about 18 MPG in combined driving conditions and come with smaller fuel tank capacities and hence lose out in the range game.

The 2011 XC90 can seat up to seven passengers across three rows. The cabin is upscale and uses luxurious materials everywhere. The front seats are comfortable, and supportive and are worth long journeys. The second-row seats are comfortable too. The third-row seats are best suited for children as adults might feel cramped in there. The NVH levels are well controlled inside the cabin and the ride can become slightly harsh with a V8 engine. Overall, the XC90’s cabin is a good place to be in.

All the SUVs except the X5, offer seating for seven passengers. The XC90 is the least practical SUV of the lot, owing to a lower cargo capacity of just 8.8 cu-ft and cramped third-row seats. The Buick Enclave offers class-leading cargo capacity and third-row legroom too. The BMW is a five-seater SUV and offers about 23.3 cu-ft of space behind the second row.

The 2011 XC90 is equipped with an easy-to-use and intuitive infotainment system. It is equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, Sirius satellite radio, new watch dial instrumentation, and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity as standard. An optional Multimedia package comes with a DVD-driven navigation system with real traffic, a premium audio system, a dual-screen DVD entertainment system, and a rear park-assist camera.

The 2011 XC90 is most similar to its predecessor except for some minor styling updates here and there. The front fascia combines a rectangular grille with a chrome outline and two distinctive multi-reflector halogen or Xenon gas discharge headlamps that are functional and blend well with the overall design. The tall, wagon-like styling is not for everyone. The side profile of the XC90 is devoid of any aggressive character lines and the roof rails in silver finish grant it a typical SUV-ish look.

The rear profile gets a typical Volvo vertical tail light setup and a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated stop lamp never looks out of place. The liftgate opens in a vertical fashion. The XC90 gets higher ground clearance in its segment and it’s definitely better. The Buick Enclave is definitely a larger SUV in dimensions and sits on a longer wheelbase, aiding in better legroom and higher stability. The Acura MDX offers a shorter wheelbase and gets adequate ground clearance as well.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2011 XC90 are:

• Fog lights 
• Running Boards
• Power tailgate
• Dual Xenon gas discharge headlights with bending lights 
• 18-inch alloy wheels 
• Roof rails 

All Volvo cars are known for their safety quotient and the 2011 XC90 is no different. The 2011 Volvo XC90 is loaded with standard safety features plus can be had with many other high-tech optional safety tech. The safety features like stability and traction control system, brake assist, ABS, EBD, roll stability control, roll protection system, rear park assist, front airbags, side curtain airbags, etc are available as standard. On the safety rating front, the IIHS has rated the XC90 as “Good” in most of its test parameters.

Some of the standout safety features of the 2011 XC90 are:

• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Blind Spot Monitoring (Optional)
• Lane keep assist 
• Vehicle stability control 
• Emergency brake assist

2011 Volvo XC90 vs 2011 Acura MDX

It is a really close one between the XC90 and the MDX. Highlighting the key differences, the Volvo offers a fine interior experience with a premium cabin showing an impressive build quality. The Acura falters by a fine margin here in terms of the quality but, the Acura offers plenty more space compared to the former.

However, the 2011 Volvo XC90 has the ball in its court when it comes to the safety standards on offer. The 2011 Acura MDX just does not match the Volvo standards or reliability. Also when it comes to pricing, used Volvo XC90 listings show considerably lower average prices compared to the Acura. This round goes to the Volvo.

2011 Volvo XC90 vs 2011 BMW X5

Pitching the Volvo XC90 against the 2011 BMW X5, the BMW comes in with an added advantage of performance. The X5 outperforms the XC90 on any given day. However, the 2011 XC90 makes a point against the BMW with better safety standards and reliability. But to no avail.

The X5 takes the upper spot with the BMW standards of luxury. When it comes to pricing, the difference comes out to be a thin line but the Volvo shows more value to the purchase with a saving of $2000 over the BMW.

The 2011 Volvo XC90 is a well-built vehicle with many luxurious amenities and safety features. It lacks a smile-inducing performance quotient and a decent fuel economy but does tick many other right boxes too. You can opt for a bigger V-8 engine for better performance. However, the looks won’t change and it has a dated styling that won’t appeal to everyone. So, in our opinion, you must check out other SUVs in this class before making a decision.