Volvo's new Sensus touchscreen infotainment system contains most of the car's secondary controls, and we were impressed by its usability. Walton praised its "responsive screen, zero-latency processor, and sharp graphics," but he did note that the screen is so large that a perch for your hand would be welcome. Many other judges had the same suggestion. We'd go as far as to call Volvo's screen almost Tesla-like in its intuitiveness and operation, though it does have some logic missteps—having two setup menus, for example—and it's missing the physical buttons we prefer for HVAC and radio presets. Several judges complained about a lack of power outlets and USB ports scattered around the cabin. Kids these days.

2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription wheels

The rest of the XC90's cabin is packed full of thoughtful touches, such as power windows that start and stop slowly to eliminate any thuds. And it's also full of beautiful features—the shifter is made of Orrefors crystal on the T8, the symmetrical wood on the dashboard has a diagonal grain, and everything you touch feels as nice as it looks. The judges' sheets were filled with words such as "gorgeous," "beautiful," "comfortable," "fresh," and "different without being polarizing." Safe to say we loved it.

Where safety is concerned, well, this is Volvo, so all seven seats feature seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners, and energy absorbers in the front-seat frames cushion vertical forces during accidents. In addition to the typical complement of driver aids, this truck automatically activates the brakes if its driver attempts to make a left turn into oncoming traffic. The XC90 earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. That's no surprise, as we're getting close to 2020; Volvo has said no one would be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo passenger car after that year.

That safety mission is the source of our one and only real criticism of the XC90. Its autonomous safety functions are a bit too aggressive, the lane keep assistant interfering constantly and the automatic braking prone to hallucinations. It falsed several times, slamming the brakes for no reason with what Loh described as "coffee-spilling, baby-crying, nose-diving, embarrassing force."

You could say "better safe than sorry," but we're not sure the cars behind us would agree. Until those software bugs are worked out, we'll just switch the system off and enjoy the drive in what was almost unanimously our favorite SUV of the year. Kiino summed it up best. "More so than any other competitor," he said, "the XC90 will alter the SUV landscape. It's a real game-changer."

2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS
DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD
ENGINE TYPE	Supercharged + turbocharged I-4, alum block/head
VALVETRAIN	DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT	120.2 cu in/1,969 cc
COMPRESSION RATIO	10.3:1
POWER (SAE NET)	316 hp @ 5,700 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET)	295 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm
REDLINE	6,500 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER	14.9 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION	8-speed automatic
AXLE/FINAL-DRIVE RATIO	3.33:1/2.24:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR	Control arms, air springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multi-link, air springs, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO	16.8:1
TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK	3
BRAKES, F;R	13.6-in vented disc; 12.6-in vented disc, ABS
WHEELS	9.0 x 21-in, cast aluminum
TIRES	275/40R21 107V M+S Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE	117.4 in
TRACK, F/R	65.9/66.0 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	194.8 x 75.7 x 69.9 in
GROUND CLEARANCE	7.3-10.9 in
APPRCH/DEPART ANGLE	21.8-25.0/22.1-23.4 deg
TURNING CIRCLE	39.7 ft
CURB WEIGHT	4,720 lb
WEIGHT DIST., F/R	52/48 %
TOWING CAPACITY	5,000 lb
SEATING CAPACITY	7
HEADROOM, F/R	38.8/38.5/36.3 in
LEGROOM, F/R	40.8/37.0/31.9 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/R	57.7/56.5/46.9 in
CARGO VOLUME BEH F/M/R	85.7/41.8/13.0 cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30	2.3 sec
0-40	3.5
0-50	4.9
0-60	6.7
0-70	8.7
0-80	11.2
0-90	15
PASSING, 45-65 MPH	3.5
QUARTER MILE	15.1 sec @ 90.4 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	113 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.85 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	26.8 sec @ 0.65 g (avg)
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH	1,900 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE	$56,395
PRICE AS TESTED	$67,605
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL	Yes/Yes
AIRBAGS	Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, driver knee
BASIC WARRANTY	4 yrs/50,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY	4 yrs/50,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE	4 yrs/Unlimited miles
FUEL CAPACITY	18.8 gal
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON	20/25/22 mpg
ENERGY CONS., CITY/HWY	169/135 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.88 lb/mile
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB	Not tested
RECOMMENDED FUEL	Unleaded premium

2016 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription front end in motion 02