2013 Volvo XC90 review

The 2013 Volvo XC90 is a capable, good-looking SUV that's able to seat seven in comfort. It is also refined, well built, and comes with a respectable level of standard equipment. The issue? Much the same was written when the Volvo XC90 debuted 10 years prior. Car years are long, and in the 10 since the XC90 arrived, the market has exploded with rivals, both mainstream and premium. That the XC90 competes against much newer contenders underlines how right Volvo got it back when it was introduced, but there's no denying the 2013 model feels a bit old compared to the competition.

It still looks good, though, and the interior can accommodate seven in comfort, so long as children occupy the rearmost seats and you don't have much luggage—those third-row seats make a dent in trunk volume. Key signifiers of the XC90's age are its antiquated navigation and entertainment system, the unavailability of Volvo's most advanced safety technology, and a sole engine choice limited to a pair of models. The base 3.2 model's six-cylinder engine and automatic transmission combination is refined, but it's far from brisk. The R-Design model has the same combo, but its sportier suspension and a few appealing visual touches make the XC90 a bit more agile and sharper-looking, too.