I did like the fact that there were headphone plugs for second and third row passengers, cupholders for everyone, and several zones of climate control. A lot of nice touches in this Volvo, such as an optional drop-down DVD player, for both second- and third-row passengers, and fairly comfortable, although small, seats. There was probably more for a rear seat passenger to do in the this Volvo than any SUV I've been in and I don't think any of them paid as much detail to safety. On the other hand getting into the back seats require you to navigate narrow rear doors and getting into the rear seats is not easy.
Volvo did an interesting thing in the rear seating area by lowering the second row to offer those in the third row a less claustrophobic view. A real treat was the fact that the second-row seats don't have to have their headrests removed when the seats are folded flat. This is probably the most well thought our SUV I have ever seen. It ranks with the new Toyota Sienna van as the most family friendly.
Dad's view: I won't mince words. Raised SUVs and pick-up trucks are a danger to everyone. If the bumpers on a vehicle don't line up with those of regular cars they can crash through the protective side beams and cause injury and death that could have been prevented. Volvo knows this and, like the Lexus RX and Mercedes M class, have placed a low front chassis crossmember on the XC at, about the same height as the bumper of a sedan. In this way, in case of an accident, there is less likelihood to kill or maim. Such common sense protection should be the law.
Engine wise the Volvo XC90 has two models, the 2.5T and T6. We tested the more expensive T6, but highly recommend the more economical 2.5T with its inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 208 horsepower with 236 foot-pounds of torque. Our test car, the T6, had a six-cylinder with twin turbos, 2.9 liters, and 268 horsepower and was loaded with options. We recommend you look at the base model front wheel drive 2.5T which costs $33,500 or $12,000 less than the top model and has many of the same safety features, albeit without the stronger engine and all wheel drive capabilities. Volvo does not offer a low range transfer case in any form indicating that these models are more highway oriented than off-road capable.