This seven-seat SUV has a flat-folding third row. The stability-control system can react to an impending rollover. There's good room for four 6-footers in the first two rows, although rear doors should open wider.
The XC90 seats up to seven with the third-row seat, which is difficult to reach and best suited to several children. That seat is standard in the V8 version and in the optional Versatility package for the other two XC90 trim levels. That package also contains rear air conditioning and third-row side-curtain airbags.
An available integrated child booster seat flips out of the middle of the second-row seat. If the XC90 has a third-row seat, the child seat can slide forward so it's just behind the two front seats to improve contact between a child and front occupants.
Second-and third-row seats fold flat to enlarge the cargo area, which is fairly roomy with the second-row seatbacks in their normal position. Facilitating loading is a two-piece tailgate. The V8 engine is strong and smooth, and a new six-cylinder is standard. Reliability has been worse than average for the V8 and average for the six-cylinder.The new engine is the only gasoline V8 with strict Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II status. Packaging for the new engine allows the XC90 to maintain high head-on and 40-mph offset-crash properties.
The new V8 represents a big investment for Ford, which likes to spread good components around. So watch for the new engine in other Volvos and perhaps Ford's new Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans, which some feel needs a more potent engine
The XC90 seats up to seven with the third-row seat, which is difficult to reach and best suited to several children. That seat is standard in the V8 version and in the optional Versatility package for the other two XC90 trim levels. That package also contains rear air conditioning and third-row side-curtain airbags.
An available integrated child booster seat flips out of the middle of the second-row seat. If the XC90 has a third-row seat, the child seat can slide forward so it's just behind the two front seats to improve contact between a child and front occupants.
Second-and third-row seats fold flat to enlarge the cargo area, which is fairly roomy with the second-row seatbacks in their normal position. Facilitating loading is a two-piece tailgate. The V8 engine is strong and smooth, and a new six-cylinder is standard. Reliability has been worse than average for the V8 and average for the six-cylinder.The new engine is the only gasoline V8 with strict Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II status. Packaging for the new engine allows the XC90 to maintain high head-on and 40-mph offset-crash properties.
The new V8 represents a big investment for Ford, which likes to spread good components around. So watch for the new engine in other Volvos and perhaps Ford's new Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans, which some feel needs a more potent engine
