DRIVEN: 2006 Volvo XC90 V8

Story by Michael Banvosky
Photos by Michael Banovsky and Volvo Canada

Can something be clean burning, yet inefficient? Safe but insecure? Useful and useless?

Consider the 2006 XC90 V8, equipped with Volvo’s first V8. As their taglines say: “Perhaps it’s the best V8 on the planet, because it’s the best V8 for the planet.”

The new, Yamaha-developed, ultra-compact all-aluminum 4.4L V8 produces 311 horsepower at 5850rpm, and a maximum of 325lb.-ft of torque at 3900rpm. Mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission and Volvo’s Haldex electronically-controlled all-wheel-drive system, the 0-100km/h sprint takes a mere 6.9 seconds.



Despite the performance, the engine meets both the American ULEV II and the European Euro 5 exhaust emission regulations. The question is: with an engine that drinks 16.4 L/100km in the city and 10.7 L/100km on the highway - 17 and 26 mpg respectively - is it more important to have low fuel consumption or good emissions? If those figures seem high, they are. Even with effort (and after the first 80L tank drained in under two days), I couldn’t manage better than 14 L/100km on the highway and 17L/100km in the city - closer to 19 mpg combined.

They’ve mated the engine to a large, over-two-metric-tonne SUV that features inflatable side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats, whiplash-reducing front seats, side-impact airbags for the first two rows of seats, and dual-stage front airbags. For electronic acronyms, the XC90 V8 has DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) and RSC (Roll Stability Control). Basically - and I tried under controlled conditions - the computers will cut in at even a hint of a rollover. Impressive, but why fit tons of security systems to an inherently unstable vehicle type?



Finally, as of this writing the XC90 is rated to tow 5000lbs. If that looks familiar, it’s the same amount that an XC90 T6 will tow - but most owners will never take it off-road. For the record, the XC90 is also one of the few relatively capable road-biased SUVs. In other words, it will almost never be used to its full potential.
But, as I’ve discovered, this isn’t a logical Volvo. The Swedes have tried to over-think the SUV, and come up with a truck full of contradictions instead.

Which is why I like it.



Flooring the gas pedal unleashes a sonorous roar that is more refined than the sound from an American V8, but contains more character than is found in a typical Japanese lump. The handling up ‘till the limit is controlled and precise. As a bonus, the interior controls, the look of the ‘ute, and the cargo space are just plain sweet.
For an as-tested price slightly north of $71,000, it’s a big emotional leap. On paper, the XC90 V8 seems like an overpriced BMW X5 alternative. On the road; however, it might be worth it.

Finally, a Volvo that makes no sense.