2004 Volvo XC90 Trims and Specs

The lack of all-wheel drive is really what made this otherwise well-appointed base model basic. One could argue - and many did - that it was underpowered with a 208-horsepower engine. It was not made in a manual transmission, but most drivers of European SUVs are not interested in shifting, and Volvo must have surmised that they wouldn't sell enough of them to bother making any.

Whether or not the engine was hefty enough for all, this was a very good value in a mid-sized SUV, and the fuel economy was not bad. Various safety and convenience features came standard, such as ABS, , front air bags including side-curtain, power locks, windows, and seats, and traction and stability control.

But it was Volvo's reputation for safety that brought families to the XC90 by the score. It got 4 (out of 5) stars in the NHTSA Frontal Crash Test, but it earned the highest rating possible in the IIHS Frontal Crash Test.

Owners of this vehicle love it for its body-cradling seats, its great styling, and the feeling of safety they have in riding in it. Some user reviews reflected complaints about turbo lag, and an over-the-shoulder blind spot. The good news is that the backseat headrests fold forward, so if you don't have any passengers back there you can alleviate the blind-spot problem to a degree.

Although front-wheel drive has its merits in snowy regions, there�s still nothing like All-Wheel Drive. This trim was a natural choice for cold-region buyers who didn�t feel they needed the additional power (and expenditure, both in sticker price and at the pump) of the T6. Most of those buyers from chilly places didn�t blink at the cost of the Climate Package, an options offering that featured the coveted seat-heaters.

Those well-known Volvo safety features and comfortable seats reinforced the great reception of this vehicle. Many 2.5T AWD owners said they would buy another without hesitation, and many couples who owned one said they�d have two if finances permitted.

As with the base model, which uses the same engine, there were complaints about inadequate power for the SUV�s size; a bit more oomph on the acceleration would have made many smile. Some wrung their hands over the turbo lag, but for the most part they were satisfied with the safety and value in their purchase.

With its 268-horsepower, 6-cylinder engine, the T6 has more under the hood than the other two XC90 trims. That leaves it with even more user satisfaction than the already well-loved 2.5Ts.

Sure, there's more power, but of course that means a bigger engine to feed - and these things don't run on 87 octane. That�¢ï¿½?�?s not necessarily a flaw, but rather another factor to be considered in the overall decision.

And the XC90, no matter the trim, is a solid SUV. You don't even have to look past the full complement of Volvo safety features, but you should because there's so much more to mention. The T6 is loaded to the brim, with leather seats and a moonroof included in the package (you do have to pay extra to get those front seats heated).

It's a stylish head-turner, this set of wheels. The wait for a Volvo SUV is over. Hallelujah!