What do you do to prove your SUV is the safest in its class? Easy: Strap it into a catapult and send it flying in front of the press. At least, that’s what you do if you're Volvo. The Swedish automaker was so impressed with the safety of its new SUV that, to prove the strength of the XC90’s structural cage, they purposefully rolled it multiple times in front of the media – and stood back smugly as the SUV passed the test. Volvo’s first and only SUV seats seven, except in the 3.2 trim, which seats five.

Volvo made significant changes in 2009 to the XC90’s trim lineup, removing the V8 Sport and the 3.2 R-Design and adding the V8 R-Design – leaving four straightforward trims: the 3.2, 3.2 R-Design, V8, and V8 R-Design. Both the 3.2 and 3.2 R-Design are equipped with a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 235 hp and gets 14/20 mpg. The V8 and V8 R-Design also share an engine – a 311-hp, 4.4-liter V8, to be exact – that earns 13/19. All-wheel drive is standard on the V8 trims and optional for the 3.2 and 3.2 R-Design, for which front-wheel drive is standard. The transmission for all four trims is a six-speed geartronic automatic with overdrive.

The Volvo SUV/crossover rightfully sits in the luxury category. Like other high-end Volvos, the XC90 comes standard with a six-CD changer (except the 3.2, where it’s optional), AUX inputs, steering wheel controls, leather seating, a tilt wheel, tire pressure monitor, and memory functions for the power driver’s seat. But to get the best, you need to pay more, which seems to be the theme for Volvo. Optional packages add heated front seats, an air purifying system, a navigation system, and, for $1,800, a rear seat entertainment system with dual DVD players. Surprisingly, the trim that has the most options and standard features is the AWD V8, not the R-Design. So what, then, does R-Design mean?

The R-Design has added features, both interior and exterior, that create a more posh and sporty trim than the base. Twenty-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels, double exhaust pipes, unique skid plates, and added chrome on the front grille and rear-view mirrors are added to the exterior. The interior shows altered leather seats, steering wheel, shift knob, and inlays.

Getting shot from a catapult aside, the XC90’s safety features are very impressive. Features include antilock brakes, an antiskid system, traction control, front and side curtain airbags (that extend to the third row of seats), roll stability, and a whiplash protection system (WIPS). Optional safety features include blind spot identification, rear-object detection, and active xenon headlights that follow the path of steering.