2018 Volvo XC90 Pros vs Cons
What's New for 2018?
New on the 2018 Volvo XC90 are some previously-optional features that are now standard. These features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Volvo XC90 – The Pros
1. Chic Exterior
The 2018 Volvo XC90 looks every bit the luxury vehicle from the outside, and it lets you know that it's a Volvo. The XC90 has sleek and sloping lines across the sides and the hood which make it easy to distinguish from competitors. The grille has vivid and eye-catching chrome bars, and the chrome side trim gives an extra boost of elegance.
2. Refined Interior
The XC90 has a classy-looking interior. In all aspects of the design, things look to be crafted from only the highest quality of materials available. The workmanship itself seems spot-on as every stitch, nook, and cranny all seem deliberate.
3. Impeccable Handling
The 2018 Volvo XC90 has some of the best handling abilities that you will find in this class. The vehicle feels like it has a nice, low center of gravity that lends to its stability. The optional adjustable suspension gives the driver an extra feeling of confidence in the XC90's ability to handle difficult road surfaces.
4. Numerous Standard Tech and Safety Features
The XC90 comes equipped with a huge list of standard safety and technological features. Some of these features include a rearview camera, parking sensors, a panoramic sunroof, a power tailgate, keyless ignition, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, a 9-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
5. Spacious Interior
The 2018 Volvo XC90 has an incredibly spacious interior. The driver and passenger have plenty of room up front, and even those in the second row have sufficient head, shoulder, and legroom. The third row is your typical children-only design, but it is still a step above some of its competitors.
6. Sturdy Brakes
Braking on the Volvo XC90 inspires a lot of driver confidence. When you press down on the brake pedal, you will notice that it is firm and won't need to be pressed down very far. The XC90 lacks some of the nosediving that you typically see in similar vehicles while making emergency stops. Overall, the vehicle seems to be well-controlled and secure with regard to braking.
7. Capable of Off-Roading
Surprise! The 2018 Volvo XC90 can pull double-duty as an off-roader. With the right tires equipped, the XC90 can do a good amount of moderate off-roading. The vehicle has a solid 9.3 inches of ground clearance, so you won't have to worry about bottoming it out or getting a lot of debris from a dirt or loose gravel road.
8. Comfy Seats
The seats on the XC90 are all remarkably comfortable. Volvo clearly devoted a lot of time and energy to perfecting these seats. Everything but the headrests is adjustable, so it is easy for the driver to find a good driving position. Plenty of lateral and lumbar support is offered.
9. Easy to Get In and Out
Despite having a lot of ground clearance, the XC90 is easy to get in and out of. If you get the optional air suspension, the vehicle will automatically lower itself after it senses that it is fully parked. This makes it easy for small children and those with physical issues to get in and out.
10. Great Visibility
The XC90 has a great amount of front, side, and even rear visibility. You can tell exactly where the hood of the SUV ends, and the 360-degree camera is a nice added touch for backing into parking spots, trying to parallel park on a busy city street, or making sure that someone isn't riding your bumper.
Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Volvo XC90 – The Cons
1. Not Very Fuel Efficient
Unfortunately, the XC90 is not a very fuel-efficient vehicle. While the hybrid option does provide a better fuel economy than the gas-powered versions, the hybrid is exponentially more expensive to buy. If fuel efficiency is a must-have, you might want to consider another option.
2. Overly-Busy Ride
The XC90 has a very busy-feeling ride quality. It doesn't handle bumps and shocks the way you would expect a luxury SUV to do. Instead, drivers will be left feeling a bit fatigued and discomforted by all the bumps they experience.
3. Finicky Touchscreen Controls
The touchscreen display looks nice. However, some of the controls are finicky and counter-intuitive. Some of the controls are hard to locate on the touchscreen's interface, so you will have to spend a lot of time getting to know this system.
4. Subpar Acceleration
The XC90 doesn't stack up to some of its competitors in terms of acceleration. While acceleration on the XC90 isn't the worst in its class, it might not be worth it for the price you pay for the vehicle. The 8-speed automatic transmission hesitates while downshifting, and the vehicle only gets from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds.
How it Stacks up to the Competition:
2018 Volvo XC90 vs. 2018 BMW X5
Despite its lack of legroom in the rear and tight third-row seating, the 2018 BMW X5 has a lot going for it. There are multiple powerful powertrain options that provide good acceleration. Also, there is an optional diesel engine for those looking to get good fuel efficiency.
2018 Volvo XC90 vs. 2018 Acura MDX
The 2018 Acura MDX struggles with a few of the same issues the XC90 does, such as a problematic touchscreen interface. However, the MDX offers a smooth and relaxing ride in a supremely comfortable cabin. It also hosts a ton of active safety features and driver aids.
Conclusion
The 2018 Volvo XC90 is not without its issues. While the fuel efficiency issue might be a deal-breaker for some, other drivers will love the security they get from the handling and brakes. If it's luxury you want, you will get it in the all-new XC90.
