Car August 2015.pdf

Giant Test: Volvo XC90 vs rivalsKEY TECH: RANGE SPORTLet’s off-road!If you want to go off-roading youwant the Range Rover. 260mm frontand 272mm rear wheel travel – easilybest in class – deliver 546mm oftotal wheel articulation. Standardair suspension now offers groundclearance of up to 278mm (up 51mm)and a 185mm range of adjustment.At the same time a new DynamicResponse setting counteracts bodyroll on the road; together with torquevectoring and an active rear lockingdiff it’s impressive on the way to theswamp, not just wading through it(up to depths of 850mm).There aren’t anylosers picturedhere. All three areawesome in theirway. But on a B-roador a Nürburgring,only one will doSo what of the X5? It has none ofthe others’ visual flash inside or out,subconsciously dismissing it into thirdplace until you finally get in and startusing it. The engine is the sweetestof the lot – and that’s ahead of anupgrade to a new 228bhp ‘modularcylinder’ unit later this year – belyingits small size with the assistance ofBMW’s Sport variant of the eightspeedZF gearbox, a version of whichis also fitted in the Range (the Volvouses an Aisin Warner ’box). BMWmakes the gearbox work that bitbetter, the snappier paddle-actuateddownchanges a case in point, especiallywhen you’re weapons hoton approach to a roundabout. Suchtomfoolery also immediately fortifiesyour X5-buying decision to downsizefrom a six-cylinder anvil – the four-potX5 isn’t as instantly keen to change directionas the XC90 but is much moreconvincing once you’re committedto the turn. Neither competitor canmatch the poise of the M Sport trim’s standard Adaptive Msuspension, which combines continuously variable dampingwith self-levelling air springs at the rear. The resulting ridein Normal isn’t so much firm as authoritative, the subframesseemingly superbly isolated from the body structure; it neverirritates in the manner of the Volvo because it’s ace in thecorners – the Sport settings only extend this agility. Wind itup, and this 2040kg heavyweight flies.There’s more to the X5 than driving, though. The interiormay be the most predictable and least ocularly arresting, butmy goodness it works well. The highly evolved iDrive and theuser-configurable buttons on the centre console are reasonenough for enduring long-term satisfaction; the first timeyou see detailed lane-guidance navigation appear in the vasthead-up display you’ll know it’s love. Okay, the HUD is a £995option (Volvo’s alternative – not tested – costs £1000), but thelatest iteration’s ability to project telephone contact lists andinfotainment data directly into your field of view tells youBMW’s got the whole human/machine interface immenselysussed. What’s more, available safety kit isn’t far off Volvolevels – beyond it when it comes to Night Vision technology– and there isn’t a single aspect of the internal build qualitythat makes you go urgh. The X5 also retains a split tailgate,making it the only contender to give you somewhere to sitwhile changing your wellies.In the end, each of these SUVs could justify top billing, andany one might prove the perfect solution for your particular circumstances.The new XC90 is smart, clean-cut and ultra-modern– and while neither rival is short on interior space, it’s theVolvo that’s truly cavernous, up to and including the standardthird-row seating designed for 1.7m tall adults, not just children.The Range Rover Sport has the image, and the pizazz, and theastonishing multi-terrain proficiency – and you will never feelshort-changed by its appropriately weighty showroom value. Inthis company, the BMW is the least outright desirable, but withthe thoughtful excoriation of its previously heavy-handed physicalpresence, the brilliant user-friendliness of its cockpit, and thefantastic togetherness of its driving experience, it doesn’t halfsneak up on you. It might not be cool, but as the most completepackage the X5 entirely deserves the overall honours.@ir_4272ndLooking fresher than an M&Seclair and with more spaceinside than a lwb Tardis, theXC90 comes close. Shame itrides like a novice cowboy3rdIt feels odd placing it third,when it’s more desirablethan the others, even if theycame with Michelle Keeganas standard. But, but…1stLike Novak Djokovic, theGerman football team andthe Porsche 911, the X5 looksvulnerable to new rivals, thengoes and beats them all102 SUBSCRIBE & GET 6 ISSUES FOR £12! GREATMAGAZINES.CO.UK/CAR | August 2015