The Volvo XC90 looks like what it is: a fairly large sport-utility vehicle designed and built by Volvo. If that sounds a bit ridiculous, allow us to explain. The XC90 has the rugged, adventurous, substantial look buyers probably expect in an SUV, but it's also very clearly a Volvo, even without the badges.
The XC90 has been freshened for 2007 with some subtle styling changes, including a new grille, bumpers and taillights. The effect is actually a bit more conservative. The grille looks shorter, so the step up from the contoured fenders, which flow Volvo-style back from the headlight clusters, seems less prominent or pronounced than before.
The tweaks don't substantially change the XC90's character or overall effect. In the rear-view mirror of cars ahead, this SUV still looks a bit like an old convertible with its top puffing up in the air stream. Its hood is unusual among contemporary vehicles. Rather than the more familiar power bulge, the XC90 hood has a horse-shoe shaped crease with the area within that crease pressed lower than the surrounding edge. In other words, this bulge is reversed.
The overall angularity says Volvo. In side view, the XC90's roofline rakes upward dramatically from the windshield to a high horizontal plane, with the arc of the top echoed by the curve of the roof rails. A high beltline enhances to the typical visual image of a tall SUV, and creates the feeling of a protective cocoon inside. The rear glass is inclined toward the front of the vehicle, which shortens the roofline a bit and tidies the XC90's profile.
The XC90's basic stance gives it a well-planted look and promotes handling stability. Its wheelbase is long, but the overhangs are short, so the body doesn't extend very far past the wheels. It has a wide track as well. And despite its height, the XC90 has a lower center of gravity than many SUVs.
The taillights have been reshaped for 2007, but they are nearly as huge as ever. The idea, in Volvo's safety scheme, is to reduce the chance of getting creamed from behind by some half-asleep driver. The same thinking applies to the back-up lights. They seem as bright as the roof lights on an a Baja pickup, making it less likely to back into something at night.
Two other exterior features may enhance safety. For 2007, all XC90s feature side mirrors with integrated LCD turn signals to warn drivers in your blind spot of your intensions. These are probably more valuable to the XC90 driver than to other motorists, because they make it nearly impossible to forget that a turn signal is operating. All models are also available with Active Bi-Xenon headlights. In addition to generating brighter light, these headlights swivel up to 15 degrees off center in the direction of travel to better light up the turns.
The XC90's rear hatch has two sections, with a larger, upper glass portion that swings up and a lower, steel gate that drops down. The split-line between is about waste high, so if you're just stowing the groceries or dry cleaning, you might not need to drop the tailgate. Larger objects require opening both halves, so this clamshell hatch has its strength and weaknesses.
The disadvantage is that two gates can make more work. On the plus side, the short tailgate lifts and closes easily, and the upper liftgate is less likely to bonk you or someone else on the head when you raise or lower it. Liftgates on some SUVs are hard to raise due to their weight and the angles involved, but that's not the case here. The little tailgate also keeps groceries and other cargo from rolling out when you open the hatch.
As of 2007, the door handles and rub strips on the base XC90 are painted to match the body, so the matte-black body parts are a bit less prominent. Yet it's still easy to spot the XC90 V8, which has body colored wheel arches (as opposed to black) and aluminum-finish roof rails (as opposed to black). The V8 is also the only XC90 offered with the flashy 19-inch chrome wheels.
