Of course environmentally minded consumers will without a doubt think otherwise, applauding Volvo for its Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) rating in 6-cylinder guise and even more impressive 2004 ULEV II rating with the base engine. In Europe Volvo offers a turbo-diesel, which not only saves fuel but reduces non-particulate emissions.

Both XC models receive Volvo's slick Geartronic manual mode equipped automatic transmission, a benefit when off-road or when tackling winding sections of highway. (Photo: Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

The 2.5T gets a 5-speed automatic transmission while the top-line T6 makes due with a 4-speed unit, going against the normal trend of offering the most sophisticated equipment on top level vehicles. While at first strange, it actually makes sense. The T6, with its increase in horsepower and torque, doesn't need the extra gear as much as the lower powered 2.5T.

Both transmissions, however, receive Volvo's slick Geartronic manual mode, a benefit when off-road or when tackling winding sections of highway. Either transmission is smooth shifting with the 2.5T's seemingly crisper, reacting quicker to throttle input - this last point may have more to do with the engine's increase in power and transmission's shorter gear intervals than any specific differences in transmission hardware or software.

Although Volvo is traditionally know for their safety initiatives, the XC90's features go above and beyond what other SUVs offer. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

Last but not least Volvo must be commended for the XC90's safety initiatives. While the Swedish brand has known for a long time that safety sells, having built many marketing campaigns around the subject, they have truly gone above and beyond what any other SUV manufacturer has offered thus far. The XC90's Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS) incorporates Roll Stability Control (RSC), an intelligent rollover protection system. It makes use of Volvo's Dynamic Stability Traction Control to offset the SUV's inherently top-heavy nature, and reportedly works wonders. During my road test I chose not to prove the merits of this feature, and rather relied on positive independent testing.

On the passive safety front the XC90 offers an Inflatable Curtain (IC) airbag system to protect outside occupants in all three rows of seats in case the ROPS system fails or the vehicle is broadsided. In Volvo tradition, the XC90 is engineered with energy absorbing crumple zones protecting driver and passengers. Going a step beyond, Volvo adds a Safety Strut to catch the front bumper of smaller, lower cars that might be struck by the large SUV - now that's a socially conscious technology.