December already! I am sure like my wife, you are scouring the pages of the interweb looking for a bargain that will save you millions of English pounds in the run up to 25th December 2015
when Santa will visit us all and surprise us with a gift that we actually want- or a gift that actually we would rather not receive.
For years – one of my aunties has always sent me a black pair of socks and bar of soap – Now, is she telling me I have smelly feet? or is it something more sinister! Either way, I have plenty now, so please auntie if you are reading this ‘no more please!!’.
What I do struggle with is what to buy my wife – every year is the same situation. Within the run up to Christmas, I start randomly asking my wife stupid questions when we are out and about at the shops – I usually say something like; ‘Do you like this one or do you think that would look nice on you’ hoping that I will see a glimmer of hope or a gentle nudge that I am at least getting warm and not standing outside in the freezing cold as I do every other year.
That reminds me! Word of warning here for all the guys: If you do buy your wife or partner the wrong size of clothing, be prepared for much sadness coming your way, because if you buy them a size 14 and they are actually a size 12, you will be forced to pay for additional keep fit lessons for them because by buying the wrong size, you will be outlawed forever for basically calling them fat and it will be their mission for the next 12 months to prove you wrong. Also, don’t think by buying them a smaller size will help, as that will have a similar effect.
Also, I happen to think that a man buying a gift for a woman is far more difficult than a woman buying a gift for a man. Because as men, we will accept any sort of gift, as long as we can annoy somebody with it. Take a few years ago; I got this key ring that shouts out sound bites in voice of John Cleese from Faulty Towers. It sounds terrible, but it annoys the hell out of my family come Christmas.
That’s the thing about gifts – you either get it bang on right – or you get it bitterly wrong. An easy way to tell is if you find it under the bed or in a dark cupboard ten months later still in its original wrapper.
Moving on to this month’s review;
On the outside: The new XC90 is a very bold looking car that stands out from what everybody else is driving around you. It is very futuristic looking, but it keeps some of the standard Volvo appearance that I loved so much about the old model. In a car park for instance, you know it’s a Volvo just by looking – that’s the thing about a Volvo, you know what to expect; quality and presence.
Inside: is a real pleasure to behold. It’s well equipped and has some very nice touches around the centre console. To be honest, sitting in here is like sitting in the Presidential Suite at the Mayfair Hotel, everything you will ever need is just a button push or arm reach away. Volvo really has done the most brilliant job of making you feel like it was made just for you.
Standard equipment on the New XC90 Momentum starts with – 9″ Centre Console Touch Screen, Three Rows / 7 Seats – three 2nd Row individual folding seats with fore/aft adjustment (40/20/40 split) and two 3rd row individual folding seats, Sensus Navigation – full European mapping with traffic information and lifetime map updates, Volvo On Call, LED Active Bending Headlights with Active High Beam, CleanZone’ Air Quality System, Power Operated Tailgate with Handsfree Opening, Keyless Entry and Start, Power Drivers Seat, City Safety – includes Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection and Front Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake, including at junctions and Run-off Road Protection. As you can see that’s just the start. The additional option packs adds even more.
Space: inside the cabin is a big plus point for the XC90, it has plenty of room for everyone. Boot space is good and even better with its split folding seats. There is more than enough space in here for your entire family, even with the use of the seven seats, there is still enough room for a few bags etc… not like some seven seat cars I have come across in the past, where you see the third row passengers faces being contorted against the glass in the rear window.
On the road: the XC90 is brilliant. I am not a fan of the auto gearbox, because it was a tad too slow for me to change up and down, but I can see why they probably did this. Because it has so much torque and if you decided to nail the throttle at the lights you are going to spin up the wheels and that is not how one drives an XC90.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted to my test car had 225hp and it moved along at a staggering pace. 0-60 time is around 7.4sec and the top speed is 137mph. Add in that 470Nm of torque and you will arrive at your destination in no time at all.
Fuel consumption has focussed a lot in the news recently, but thankfully the XC90 returns a figure of 45.6mpg (urban). Now that’s really impressive.
Safety: Well let’s just say it’s a Volvo and it has you covered. No worries there then.
Would I buy one? A big fat YES, but I can’t afford one – not that it is expensive, far from it, but as a family man, we all have budgets and a wife.
Volvo XC90 – D5 AWD Momentum
Price: £49,375 Model as tested, including fitted options
Top speed: 137mph
0-62mph: 7.4sec
Economy: 49.6mpg (combined) emissions g/km (149)
Engine: 2.0
Power: 225bhp at 4250rpm
Torque: 470 Nm at 1750rpm – 2,500rpm
Gearbox: Auto (8 Speed)
My Rating: 5 Stars By @XInterceptor
