2011 Volvo XC90 Malaysia Reviews & Ratings, Expert Car Reviews on LIVE LIFE DRIVE

Combining comfort, room for seven, excellent safety levels and value pricing, the handsome 2011 Volvo XC90 is deservedly Malaysia's best-selling premium SUV. A frugal but vocal diesel engine is now offered.

2011 Volvo XC90 quick specs

Body Style	SUV
Class	Large Luxury Utility
Assembled	-

Engine Range	-
Fuel Options	-
Seating Capacity	7

2011 Volvo XC90 ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)

Styling
Handling
Comfort
Quality + Reliability
Performance

Roominess
Running Costs
Value for Money
Equipment
Environment

Styling

The Volvo XC90 has won over many fans with its massive road presence and rugged styling since its launch. Understanding that the design is still very much contemporary, Volvo opted for a mild facelift that changed little but for a new radiator grille, slightly restyled rear lights, new chrome strip on the tailgate, and lastly, a Volvo logo with wider spacing between letters on the tailgate.

Handling

The 2011 Volvo XC90 is pleasant to drive as it feels agile for its size over twisty roads. The 2011 Volvo XC90 remains safe, predictable and composed when approaching its cornering limits, which are rather high for a large SUV. That said, rivals such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class are sharper and more entertaining to drive. The steering provides little feedback, and requires lots of effort for city driving.

Comfort

The ride quality is smooth and supple over most road surfaces. Wind and road noise are well-contained, while engine noise is not a problem with the petrol engine; however, the diesel engine is boomy and becomes vocal when worked hard. The 2011 Volvo XC90 brings a commanding SUV seating position, ultra-supportive seats, and ample seating/steering adjustments. The dash design may be outdated, but features sensibly arranged controls.

Quality + Reliability

The dash design feels behind the times, and lacks the style of, say, the Audi Q7's cabin. The materials used are durable, but appear second-rate compared to some really lush materials found in luxury rivals. There is little to fault about the solid build quality, though. The 2011 Volvo XC90's underlying mechanicals should remain reliable as most are shared with other Volvo models, and have been in used for quite some time now.

Performance

Two engines are available: 2.5-litre 2.5T with 207 bhp and 320 Nm; and 2.4-litre D5 with 182 bhp and 400 Nm. The 2.5T comes with a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, while the D5 has one gear ratio more. On the roads, the 2.5T may complete the century sprint quicker and reach a higher maximum speed, but the D5 feels stronger thanks to its big slab of low-end torque. What the D5 loses out in refinement and outright pace, it wins in fuel economy without sacrificing drivability.

Roominess

The 2011 Volvo XC90 comes with seats for seven and MPV-like versatility. The front and middle rows get plenty of room, but the last row is better left for kids or smaller-sized adults. With five fully-foldable rear seats, and middle seats that can slide individually, the 2011 Volvo XC90 is exceptionally versatile. The boot capacity is the smallest at 249 litres with all seats in place and extends to a maximum of 1837 litres.

Running Costs

The 2.5T and D5 return fuel economy of 8.5 km/litre and 11.8 km/litre respectively. Like for other luxury brands, servicing and repairs are costly. Volvo models normally tend to depreciate heavily compared to models from leading luxury brands, but since the 2011 Volvo XC90 resides in a semi-luxury segment and costs significantly less than the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the like, the Volvo XC90 manages to hold its value quite well.

Value for Money

Since its launch, the combination of handsome rugged looks, room for seven, excellent safety equipment count, and attractive pricing has made the Volvo XC90 the best-selling premium SUV in Malaysia. The 2011 Volvo XC90 is also highly capable in both ride and handling, and now adds a diesel engine which brings fuel economy at the expense of refinement. For its asking price, the 2011 Volvo XC90 remains a true value buy against more illustrious rivals.

Equipment

Standard items across both models include 17" alloy wheels, roof rails, full leather upholstery, 8-speaker audio system with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, steering wheel cruise control/audio switches, power front seats, memory settings for driver's seat and side mirrors, rain sensing wiper system and climate control. Safety equipment includes front/side airbags for the front row, curtain airbags for all three rows, seat belt pretensioners for all seats, braking controls (ABS, EBD, EBA), Dynamic Stability & Traction Control (DSTC) and Roll Stability Control (RSC). The 2.5T adds dual xenon lights.

Environment

With loads of mass to carry around, SUVs are predictably less eco-friendly to run. Being a large SUV, the 2011 Volvo XC90 is no different—obvious from the heavy carbon dioxide emissions and lacklustre fuel economy. The D5 may be “greener” to run compared to the 2.5T, but environmentalists should stick to small hatchbacks and sedans.

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2011 Volvo XC90 Review

2011 Volvo XC90 at a glance