All the SUV You Want but Less of the Guilt

It's the biggest Volvo ever made for consumers and probably the most anticipated: the automaker's first true SUV, the model XC90. Just weeks on the market, its sales are red hot. But how does it drive? We took it for a spin. Verdict: the XC90 has brawn and backbone, blending the solid chassis of a Swedish sedan with the commanding stance of an SUV. The driver has a high, clear view of the road, and the controls are easy to read and reach. Volvo's designers added such nifty touches as a children's booster seat in the middle of the second row (a third-row seat is optional) and headrests on the rear seats that fold down if you want to use the interior to haul bulky cargo. The XC90 is premium priced ($40,795 as tested), but it takes Volvo's reputation for safety another step, offering such features as electronic roll-stability control and side-curtain air bags that protect passengers the full length of the vehicle. (The front end was even designed to reduce injuries to a pedestrian struck by the car.) The brakes feel just as crisp and effective as those found on Volvo's sedans. And the turbocharged five-cylinder engine puts out 208 h.p., giving ample kick for any family outing but scoring a thrifty 24 m.p.g. on the highway. --By Joseph R. Szczesny/Detroit