2013 Volvo XC90

The 2013 XC90 3.2 R-Design Premier Plus trim, although priced at an MSRP of $42,700, is a bang for the buck offering as it has all the necessary comfort-related features but is also loaded with features like 19” alloys, all leather upholstery, self-leveling rear suspensions,sport-tuned suspension & steering system. If one can spend an extra $2000 on top of the base price, then they should opt for AWD optional feature.

The luxury car manufacturer Volvo presents the 2013 XC90 in two different models, the 3.2 and 3.2 R-Design. The difference between these two models is that 3.2 R-Design is on the sportier side, with features such as the sports-tuned suspension, and the sport steering wheel joining the lineup. Both the models have 3 different packages each (Base, Premier Plus, and Platinum), which means a total of 6 trim configurations. Prices for the same start from an MSRP of $39,500 for the base 3.2 variant. and all of the said XC90 trims get a standard 3.2L Inline-6 engine running point on the performance front.

As standard, the 2013 XC90 further gets LED running lights and chrome-trimmed taillights as standard. Other than that. All-wheel-drive with instant traction is optional in all the trims of XC90. All the important features relative to the trim of this SUV is arranged according to the increasing price. On the packages front, Volvo offers a Climate package too aside from the main three, which contains heated front seats, and an interior air quality sensor.

The 2013 Volvo XC90 delivers a fuel economy of 16 MPG in city conditions and 23 MPG in highway conditions, with a combined rating of 19 miles to the gallon. These numbers aren't justifying the engine that this car comes with, as by the engine specifications of XC90, the fuel economy should have been a little bit more. Morever, while these numbers are with the FWD setup, the AWD setup shaves out 1 MPG across the board.

By interpreting the table given above, it can be determined that the fuel economy of the Volvo XC90 and the Audi Q7 lies on the same page. But concerning the engine performance of Acura MDX and VW Touareg, the fuel efficiency that these cars come with is far better than the XC90. The fuel tank of XC90 and MDX somewhat has an underwhelming capacity of 21 gallons, whereas Q7 and Touareg would offer a great range with their 26.4-gallon tank.

The 2013 Volvo XC90 has a seating capacity of seven. The seats are comfortable, while the cabin is also well isolated from outside noises. Volvo has done a good job with material selections with soft-touch materials all around the cabin that also set forth a premium look. Second-row seats are quite comfortable as well and there is decent shoulder room available for the second-row passengers. The middle seat of the second row is a child booster seat that can slide back and forth. Third-row isn’t that spacious for adults as it is meant only for kids.

When looking at the seating comfort and space, Volvo XC90 has more spacious front row seats than the others but comes with the least cargo capacity of 8.8 cu-ft. There is no point in opting for a five-seater car like VW Touareg unless you have a small family or require a huge cargo space of around 32.1 cu-ft. But when it comes to the comfort of the second-row seat, Acura and Audi take the lead just by a couple of inches.

This is the part where the 2013 XC90 fails to make an impression and the reason is it's not so impressive and basic infotainment system at the luxury price tag. No doubt that the controls and gauges have been arranged nicely and everything is within reach but the disappointing fact is the navigation controls behind the steering wheel or on the remote feel dull & obtuse. Besides the not-so-advanced infotainment system of the XC90, the car is still loaded with usable and practical features.

The infotainment features on offer are-

• AM / FM Radio
• CD Player
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• HD & Satellite Radio
• MP3
• Optional Entertainment System

The exterior of the 2013 Volvo XC90 is designed in a very subtle way, as from the front it looks very basic with the Volvo’s logo and the front mesh grille. It has some similarities in terms of the exterior with XC70 but looks slightly larger than it. The clever inputs like double-barrel headlights, roof rails, Volvo’s unique taillight design, a relatively slim side profile, and the chrome strip on the tailgate with Volvo badging on it set it apart from the rest.

A moderately shorter XC90 is a bit maneuverable and not only that it’s also some hundred pounds lighter than some of its rivals, Track width is also low which makes the turning ability of this car quite good. On the other hand, Acura MDX is also a lightweight vehicle with it being a couple of inches longer than XC90 but it has a larger track width in the segment.

Some standard exterior features of the 2013 Volvo XC90 are:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Foglamps
• Heated mirrors
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Rear parking sensors
• Roof rails
• Sunroof
• Headlight washers

If there is one department that Volvo is focusing on is the safety of the vehicle, and for that, they are renowned as one of the safest brands. The 2013 XC90 cleared the safety test at the IIHS and was awarded the ‘Top Safety Pick+’. As it is not made for off-roading so the safety features are provided mainly keeping the driving to the on-road conditions.

All the safety features of XC90 are mentioned below:

• 4-Wheel disc brakes and antilock braking system
• Driver & passenger airbag
• Mirror integrated turn signals
• Brake assist
• Electronic stability control
• Daytime running lights
• Rollover protection
• Blindspot monitor as an optional feature
•  Child safety locks
• Traction Control

2013 Volvo XC90 vs 2013 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX is a great alternative to the Volvo XC90 despite having a higher price tag. The MDX can seat seven comfortably and gets a handsome list of features, and a standard AWD layout. The XC90 lacks considerably in the features and technology aspect along with being disappointing with its standard FWD layout as well. The Volvo XC90 is preferable for those looking to upgrade their ride to a safe and comfortable SUV.

2013 Volvo XC90 vs 2013 Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg is a better option in the segment as compared to the XC90 due to its excellent value for money. With a close enough price tag to the XC90’s, the Touareg offers better performance, more features as standard, and a cavernous rear seat although it seats five. Moreover, the Touareg is more fuel-efficient than the XC90 despite having a proper V6 powertrain under its hood.

The 2013 Volvo XC90 is a three-row, seven-seater practical SUV, which despite its stature is surely not made as an off-roading fun vehicle. This comes under a mid-size luxury SUV segment where it competes with other cars like VW Touareg, Audi Q7… etc, but XC90 feels like a safe family car. If someone is not looking for impressive performance numbers or an off-roading vehicle and just wanna enjoy a smooth ride with family then it is the SUV for them.