2006 Volvo XC90 Trims and Specs

Volvo is known for building the safest cars on the road today. Well, they ought to get a prize as well for building the least-basic base models.

Creature comforts are one thing, but more importantly, many lifesaving features come standard on the XC90: driver and passenger air bags, ABS, protective side-beams, whiplash-reducing headrests, traction control, and stability control. The 2006 XC90 was awarded the full 5 stars in the NHTSA Frontal Crash Test for the driver side and 4 stars for the passenger side. It also scored 4 stars in the Rollover Test. In the Side Crash Test it achieved 5 stars for both the Front Side and the Rear Side.

The 2.5 trim is powered by a 2.5-liter, turbocharged engine. Although it is not available in manual transmission, the versatile automatic tranny can be shifted manually when that is preferable, such as in poor weather, when towing, or when negotiating a steep grade. But why save it just for that? Use it when you simply want to get closer and bond with your vehicle. Shifting manually can also give a tiny boost in gas mileage, which is rated as 17 city/22 highway under the normal automatic mode.

Other standard equipment includes air conditioning, CD player, power windows, power door locks, and power seats. The optional navigation system is impressive not just for what it provides as for how it's presented: the screen rises out of the dash when called into use.

This is the debut model year for the AWD with Instant Traction option, which first appeared on the mid-2005 released XC90 V8. The Instant Traction system monitors driving conditions and smartly transfers power appropriately from the front wheels to the rear, increasing control and minimizing under- and oversteering as well as excessive wheel spinning upon acceleration.

The 2006 XC90 more than satisfies its owners when it comes to comfort, handling, safety features, size (neither too small nor too big), storage space (even with rear seat down), pep, and its great array of standard features. Most of them by far consider it quite a value, especially when compared to the other mid-sized European SUVs.

Considering the few and far between negative factors, one or two drivers noticed a blind-spot that took some getting used to (perhaps this is what led to Volvo's new blind-spot monitoring system, available on 2007 XC90s). Others complained about the lack of a remote-start option for pre-warming their heated seats on cold mornings, as well as the lack of a stowing space for sunglasses. Well, it seems that with all that Volvo presents, its customers are left with only the little things to complain about.

2006 was the first full model year for the V8, which was developed specifically for this mid-size SUV and was added midway through the 2005 model year.

The 311-horsepower V8 is much more suited to this SUV's weight than the 2.5-liter V6 on the base model, especially when packed with people and their stuff. The trade-off, of course, is in fuel economy: expect 15 mpg around town and 21 on the highway.

Another thing you can expect is a safe arrival at your destination. Volvo goes above and beyond with the inclusion of a head-spinning array of lifesaving features that come standard on the XC90. Among them are driver and passenger air bags, ABS, protective side-beams, whiplash-reducing headrests, traction control, and stability control.

The 2006 XC90 was awarded the full 5 stars in the NHTSA Frontal Crash Test for the driver�¢ï¿½?�?s side and 4 stars for the passenger�¢ï¿½?�?s side. It also scored 4 stars in the Rollover Test. In the Side Crash Test it achieved 5 stars for both the Front Side and the Rear Side.

Although a manual transmission is not available, you can choose to shift this automatic manually when you wish to, such as when driving in snow or towing. It�¢ï¿½?�?s also a great way to truly feel what the XC90 is capable of. As if that�¢ï¿½?�?s not enough reason to give it a go, shifting manually can also give a tiny boost in gas mileage.

Many of the conveniences that make road travel more enjoyable come standard on this V8-powered gem: leather seats, air conditioning, CD player, power windows, power door locks, and power seats. There are numerous stand-alone options, such as the navigation system (which smoothly stows itself inside the dash when its work is done), as well as packages of options grouped by theme, for example, the Climate Package, in which heated seats are the main attraction.

This is the debut model year for the AWD with Instant Traction option, which first appeared on the mid-2005 released XC90 V8. The Instant Traction system monitors driving conditions and smartly transfers power appropriately from the front wheels to the rear, increasing control and minimizing under- and oversteering as well as excessive wheel spinning upon acceleration.

Drivers of the 2006 XC90 V8 have only good things to say about its ride, comfort, handling, safety, storage space (even with rear seat down), and great looks inside and out. Most of them also test-drove the other mid-sized European SUVs that are its main competition, and many found it no competition at all, citing the V8�¢ï¿½?�?s power and the extensive array of standard features that the other manufacturers considered costly options.

This exceptionally eye-catching edition contains all the winning attributes of the other XC90 trims plus a lot of unique cosmetic appeal. Yes, it still presents every one of the invaluable safety features and creature comforts, but it turns even more heads.

The Volvo Ocean Race is an around-the-world competition among sailing yachts. This Cadillac (please pardon the phrase) of yachting races began in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race, and Volvo took over the coveted sponsorship contract in 1998.

So happy were they after achieving this coup that they wanted - no, needed - to release a fleet of commemorative utility vehicles. The first Volvo Ocean Race Editions came out in 2002 in the form of V70s and SC70s. Today the V70 edition is still made, but the SC70 has evolved into the XC70, and now, of course, the XC90 joins them.

The premise, according to Volvo marketing material, is that this line of special editions is designed for "an active lifestyle, adventure, and passion." In other words, this is not your ordinary soccer mom's SUV. The cars are share the same paint color, Ocean Blue, which was developed exclusively for them. Pretty silver moldings and aluminum roof rails accent the look, as does the special Ocean Race emblem on the front doors.

You'll have to hop inside to get the full picture: the interior is made to impress with its blue-tone aluminum inlays that complement the exterior. But they didn't stop there. The upholstery fabric is designed to reflect yachting attire, in blue of course (were you expecting Nantucket Red?).

It's powered exactly the same as the regular V8 trim, but the Volvo Ocean Race Edition throws in a few more bones as standard equipment: 18-inch wheels, a premium 12-speaker audio system (with 6-CD in-dash changer), and leather seats. Sure, the higher price reflects the upgrades, but that big dose of extra style is in itself worth it for many.