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6 Reasons Why the Volvo XC90 is Perfect for Seniors

Since its launch, the Volvo XC90 has been celebrated for its reliability and rock-solid build quality. With a classic design that has stood the test of time, it offers simple yet rich and modern interiors for a smooth and comfortable ride. As a mid-size luxury SUV, the XC90 is a sensible alternative for seniors uncomfortable with style-heavy vehicles.

6 Reasons Why the Volvo XC90 is Perfect for Seniors
Thanks to these qualities, the Volvo XC90 has won critical acclaim, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award.

Well-designed and comfortable cabin
When purchasing cars, senior citizens often prefer simple and practical interior designs over brash and sporty ones. Fortunately, the XC90 meets this requirement. Its cabin uses soft-touch materials everywhere, and the leather on the seats and dashboard is beautiful and customizable. The panels are also sturdy and built to last.

The Volvo XC90’s functions are easy to use. Its dashboard has minimal buttons and switchgear, as most of the car’s systems can be operated through the large touchscreen on the central console. The few knobs and controls that exist are placed ergonomically to make the vehicle as comfortable as possible for seniors. A digital instrument cluster (which comes as standard) offers endless handy features for users across age groups.

The XC90 also offers a good driving position, with large windows for clear visibility. The seats in the second-row slide forward/backward and recline to enhance comfort and luxury for its occupants.

Generous passenger space
The Volvo XC90 performs well in the space department, offering sufficient headroom, legroom, shoulder room, and hip room. Here’s a look at the measurements:

  • Headroom: 38.9 inches in the first row and 38.5 inches in the second
  • Legroom: 40.9 inches and 37 inches
  • Shoulder room: 57.7 inches and 56.6 inches
  • Hip room: 56 inches and 56.5 inches

Seniors considering the Volvo XC90 will not be disappointed with the space, comfort, and sheer quality they are surrounded with in its cabin.

Infotainment, convenience, and safety features
The Volvo XC90 lives up to its luxury SUV billing by offering a host of features, including a nine-inch infotainment display and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity. Seniors can enjoy their favorite tunes in the best quality, thanks to Harman/Kardon premium brand speakers, 14 total speakers with stereo output, and a subwoofer.

Besides infotainment technologies, the SUV has endless convenience features. Notable examples include one-touch power windows all around, a first-row power glass moonroof, a second-row fixed glass moonroof, heated mirrors, a heated steering wheel, four-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and front/side/rear-view cameras.

All car buyers, including seniors, want their vehicles always to be safe. Considering this, Volvo has equipped the luxury SUV with safety features like an anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control, and an electronic stability program. These systems justify the Volvo XC90’s cost.

Powerful engines and good fuel economy
Seniors who love to take the wheel instead of being driven around will appreciate the XC90’s powerful engines. To make the vehicle more environmentally sustainable, Volvo has offered the SUV in two mild-hybrid (B5 and B6) and one plug-in hybrid (Recharge T8) powertrains:

  • B5 mild hybrid
    The B5 is the base engine with a 2.0-liter turbocharged powertrain that produces 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It features a braking-regenerated 48-volt battery and an integrated generator/starter to boost performance and fuel economy. With this engine, the XC90 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds while returning a fuel economy of 25 mpg combined (22 mpg in the city; 28 mpg on the highway).
  • B6 mild hybrid
    The second mild-hybrid has a 2.0-liter inline-four powertrain that produces 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This variant races to 60 mph from a halt in 6.4 seconds, but its fuel economy is slightly reduced to 22 mpg combined (20 mpg in the city; 26 mpg on the highway).
  • Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid
    The T8, the most powerful and efficient of the three, features another iteration of the 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine combined with a battery and a 143-hp electric motor on the rear axle. This powertrain produces a whopping 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. It makes this behemoth of an SUV whoosh from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds flat! As per the tentative fuel economy figures, the Recharge T8 returns about 58 combined mpg-equivalent, including the 32 miles of all-electric driving range.

Seniors will likely appreciate and revel in these engines’ power and cruising ability while benefiting from fuel efficiency.

Smooth ride and handling
For seniors, the Volvo XC90 may be slightly cumbersome to handle, but its ride quality makes up for this shortcoming. The SUV is exceptionally soft and steady over most road surfaces, and the steering feel is positive. Moreover, the solid cabin insulation ensures road noise is filtered out almost completely. If the XC90 feels too bulky, Volvo also has compact SUVs, which seniors can consider.

Multiple variants and reasonable prices
This SUV is not cheap owing to its extraordinary features, but seniors can choose a trim that fits their budget. The XC90 comes in three equipment levels: Core, Plus, and Ultimate, with costs between $57,095 and $80,495. It is also possible to customize the vehicle to fit one’s needs. Individuals can contact a dealer to learn about the latest Volvo XC90 prices near them in 2023.

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