Comfortable, sporty, and capable, the Volvo XC90 won the 2002 Texas Auto Writers' "Truck of Texas" award in its debut year, stunning just about everyone. The only knock on the XC90, and it was a fair one, was that the turbocharged, 2.5L, 5-cylinder engine was fine for on-road action, but it wasn't quite champion material when it came to towing. Volvo's resolved this, though, by beefing-up the XC90's engine options to include a 4.4L V8 that has plenty of power to get a boat to and from the water.

The V8 is noteworthy. Lift the hood and you'll see that the small-block motor is transversely mounted, just like in a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Don't worry. The engine's mounted this way to accommodate Volvo's renowned all-wheel-drive architecture. Aside from the relatively odd mount, the V8 is a workhorse, producing 311 hp and a solid 325 pounds per feet of torque to complement the 5,000-pound towing capacity. 

The V8 power comes on smoothly. There's decent low-end torque, but it's subdued, so there's very little lurching off the line when you're not towing a trailer. The 6-speed automatic transmission isn't quite seamless, but it's in the ballpark. It's an adaptive transmission, so it automatically adjusts the shift points according to your current driving style - lower rpm shifts if you're on an easygoing cruise, higher revs when you're towing and need better torque - so the more you drive, the smoother the transmission becomes.

Slick launch ramps are a fact of life. The '06 XC90 deals with them even better than in previous years, with the addition  of the optional AWD with "Instant Traction." It's a computer-controlled Haldex AWD system that adds a one-way pre-charging valve to the AWD system. This valve maintains a torque load of 59 pounds per feet, available instantly to all four wheels. Previously, the AWD system would allow the tires to slip as much as one-seventh of a wheel rotation before redirecting power to the wheels with grip. It was enough to notice the slip, and Volvo deserves credit for improving the system.

The XC90's driving experience - aside from the power and occasional launch ramp slippage - didn't need much improving. Volvo makes, in this writer's judgment, the best, most comfortable seats in the industry, and after a week behind the wheel of the XC90, the seats are greatly appreciated. The road feel, which is good, comes to the driver through the steering wheel, not the seats, so passengers aren't beaten up or bounced around. The steering is precise and the braking is responsive, even with a trailer behind.

One aspect that deserves extra praise is the XC90's dash layout. It's plenty high-tech, but it's operated by intuitive controls, so it's elegant, not aggravating.

Having addressed the one knock on the design and build of the XC90 by offering the V8 engine, Volvo's left with only one discouraging word to be heard: price. With a base price of $45,840 for the XC90 with a V8, and coming in at $52,095 as tested, the XC90 is a long way from cheap. But for the money, you get a first-rate SUV and an excellent tow vehicle. 

Volvo XC90 Specifications

Engine: 4.4L V8
Horsepower: 311
Torque: 325 lb.-ft.
Passengers: 7
Ground Clearance (min.): 8.9 inches
Cargo Capacity (max.): 85.1 cubic feet
Towing Capacity: 5,500 lbs.
Fuel Economy: 15/21 (city/hwy.)
Price As Tested: $52,095