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Volvo XC90 News & Reviews

   2010 Volvo XC90 Road Test Review

When Volvo's XC90 SUV first came on the scene in 2003, most critics expected it to be another plush sport ute that wasn't suited

The XC90 remains an excellent choice in the premium midsize crossover market segment. (Photo: Volvo)

for off-road use. The XC90 surprised its detractors by offering unexpected off-road capability and combining it with forgiving on-road manners and, of course, Volvo's reputation for safety.

The XC90 has matured into a luxury SUV market fixture, and continues to offer Volvo's stylish sensibility. For 2010 the standard equipment list has been expanded to include seven-passenger seating, electronic climate control, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Homelink, a powered driver's seat, integrated booster cushion in the rear, and an eight-speaker CD audio system.

Rather than continuing Volvo's boxy ways, the XC90 was one of the first vehicles in their lineup to sport a more fluid design. A gently raked rear backlight and tapered hood and front fenders provide a distinctive <Read More>

   Volvo V60 Sport Wagon shows Family Haulers can be Cool

Volvo's latest should make some moms and dads question why they're considering another compact SUV or crossover. It's gorgeous!

A stylish wagon, the new 2011 Volvo V60 Sport Wagon fits neatly between the V50 and V70. (Photo: Volvo)

And it will no doubt perform better than most top-heavy alternatives.

The V60 Sport Wagon is Volvo's first 60-series wagon, the current midsize wagon dubbed V70. To be clear, the V60 Sport Wagon does not replace the V70, the XC70 or the smaller V50, but is an entirely new model designed to fill the gap between the two. More so, like other 60-series Volvos it will be the performance leader in the overall wagon lineup.

"The figure '60' in our model range nowadays indicates our sportiest models," stated Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell. "The XC60 was the first step. We took the next step with the all-new S60 sedan - and now we're launching the V60 sports wagon."

Additionally <Read More>

   2010 Volvo V50 T5 AWD R-Design Road Test Review

Watch your back, Audi. There's another station wagon that combines European styling and luxury with entertaining performance

Now that's a good looking wagon! (Photo: Volvo)

at a price most mortals can afford. The Volvo V50 may be the first serious challenger that Audi's A4 Avant has ever had. The smallest Volvo wagon is a sure contender, with spirited performance, over 1,700 litres of cargo space and available All-Wheel Drive (AWD).

For 2010, the lineup is simplified with the T5 being AWD only. With sporty looks, especially in R-Design trim that includes a unique grille, polished exhaust, a body kit and unique seventeen-inch wheels, and performance to match, Volvo's compact wagon is ready to come out and play.

At a glance, the V50 looks much like its big brother V70. The V50's lines are more compact, with significantly shorter overhangs front and rear. Distinct shoulder lines run the length of <Read More>

   2010 Volvo C30 Road Test Review

As the "premium compact" market began to grow, it became clear that Volvo needed a product to capture the hearts and lead

The C30: a very fine urban commuter and fabulous on the open road. (Photo: Volvo)

feet of young, hip drivers who are looking for the Next Cool Thing. To that end, slicing the back half off of an S40 sedan and replacing it with a breadbox-like hatchback seemed like just the right thing to do. Introduced in 2007, the Volvo C30 is the Swedish answer to premium compacts like the MINI Cooper S and Audi A3. 

The last time Volvo did a slick two-door hatchback (in North America anyway) was in the 1960s, with the cool P1800ES. The styling makes it clear that the C30 hasn't forgotten that groundbreaker, even if most Canadians are unaware that Volvo ever built a cool little sports car. For 2010, the C30's been updated with new front end styling and a stronger emphasis on its sporting capabilities.

The C30's got a <Read More>

   2010 Volvo XC60 3.2 AWD Road Test Review

Given Volvo's reputation for safety, when the company calls its new XC60 the safest Volvo yet and probably the safest vehicle

It's all Volvo and a little more, for storage at least. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

in the world, it's not just hyperbole.  It should be a serious consideration when out shopping.  Impact test data was not available at the time of this review, but if a crash test dummy could 'come to its sensors' it should try to get in line for the XC60 test that day.

Volvo has rolled out the XC60 for 2010 to stake its share in the extremely popular small luxury crossover SUV segment, taking on the BMW X3 and much newer Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLK, among many, many others.  Safety being in its DNA, this part of the XC60 story starts with the very steel used to make it and body structure that employs collision management to distribute energy.  The very shape and flush elements of the energy absorbing front-end reduces the severity of impact with pedestrians and cyclists.  <Read More>

   2010 Volvo XC60 Road Test Review

Volvo's group of SUV/crossover vehicles has an addition in the 2010 XC60 crossover, a mid-size five-door hatch that

A great looking crossover, in the Volvo tradition. (Photo: Volvo)

is very good looking, that works very well in real world situations and has a realistic entry fee.

The 2010 Volvo XC60 has two features that work in unison – great styling and excellent functionality. Visually unmistakably a Volvo, the XC60 has a balanced, muscular body that is far more engaging than many other crossover SUVs in its class and has high, definitive shoulder lines that bring the eye to the rear hatch.  Its dimensions aided the exterior designers at 4,627 mm (182.2 inches) long, 1,712 mm (67.4 inches) tall and 1,890 mm (74.4 inches) wide.  The wheelbase is an accommodating 2,774 mm (109.2 inches), aiding the ride quality, which is excellent for an SUV.

For <Read More>

   2009 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Road Test Review

The 2010 Volvo XC60 is Volvo's first compact Crossover Utility Vehicle, and in most respects is a solid all-around performer. 

A good looking crossover, the XC60 is ideal for those who put safety first. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

It did, however, have a few quirks that made me wonder if Volvo is heading down the BMW iDrive road to confusion.  The XC60 comes in Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) with a non-turbo V6, or with a single turbo V6 with All-Wheel Drive (AWD).

I'll start this review where I always start a Volvo review – with world class standard and available safety features.  When young adults come to me for advice on what to buy to keep their newborns or young children safe, my answer always includes Volvo.  When my now 17 year old daughter Eden was born, I dumped the Datsun 280Z and purchased a Volvo 740 Wagon.  Perish the thought!  I missed my low slung speedster, but there was no way Eden was ever going to ride in the "tin mobile."

With the new XC60, <Read More>

   Bark Buckle UP Names the Top Safest Vehicles for Pets

Strange isn't it. We take the time to tie down our heavy cargo so that it won't jar loose if we have to hit the brakes in

Chrysler is one of only two automakers to have two models on the best for pets list, the Dodge Journey and Jeep Liberty. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

order to avoid an accident, but a lot of pet owners don't do the same with Max or Maggie, or for that matter Oliver and Chloe of the feline persuasion. According to Bark Buckle UP, an organization dedicated to pet and owner safety, an unrestrained pet can be extremely hazardous.

"Few people understand that a 27 kilogram dog becomes more than 1.2 tonnes of mass in a vehicle travelling at just 55 km/h," said Christina Selter, Founder of Bark Buckle UP. "In a frontal collision, an unrestrained pet can become a serious safety hazard. Things can get even worse for emergency responders who are the first on the scene of a collision. An unrestrained dog can be a danger to them and, if loose, can cause other vehicles to collide on the road."

In <Read More>

   2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD Road Test Review

It's been a few years since I've been behind the wheel of a Toyota Rav4. And in the few years that have passed since

A revised look gives the RAV4 new life in a competitive compact crossover segment. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

our last encounter, a lot of things have changed. Not only with me but with the Japanese auto manufacturer's 4-door SUV!

For the 2009 model year, the Rav4 continues to uphold its reputation of a sporty yet fuel economic SUV with a few upgrades to make it even more enticing. One of its biggest changes lies under the hood. Out goes the 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine and in comes a new and improved 2.5-litre, 16-valve, DOHC, 4-cylinder that produces 179 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. That's 13 more horsepower than the previous generation. And for those who want a little more power, a V6 engine that produces 269 horsepower continues to be available.

It's not only the engine that received an upgrade, but other parts as well. The 2009 Rav4 has a few redesigned and revamped elements including the front grille, front bumper, headlamps/fog lamps, rear bumper, tail lamps and more. Also, such colours as Flint Mica, Savannah Metallic and Everglade Metallic have been discontinued and Magnetic Grey Metallic, <Read More>

   Volvo Shows S60 Concept Ahead of Detroit Show

The problem with creating a truly great design is following up with a replacement in four years' time. Such a daunting

Wow! If the new S60 looks like this concept, we're in for a treat. (Photo: Volvo)

task has eluded many an automaker, but it doesn't seem to have fazed Volvo in updating its new S60.

The current car's Peter Horbury-penned design took the already graceful S80 sedan shape he created earlier, added more complex curves, a lower, leaner profile and overall better proportions for a sexier look. It was and still is one of the more attractive premium four door models on the market, and due to this and other attributes has enjoyed tremendous success. And now for the follow up.

We showed two teaser shots recently, one of the car's rakish silhouette and another being an artistically interpreted view of the dash and floating centre stack, but rather than keep us in suspense for another three weeks Volvo has kindly given us a full allotment of beautiful high-resolution photos and a few details about the car ahead of schedule. But wait a minute? Is this the real deal or yet another teaser?

Volvo <Read More>