View Poll Results: Who should've won MotorTrend's SUV of the Year award?
Honda Element
0
0%
Honda Pilot
13
76.47%
Hummer H2
0
0%
Land Rover Range
0
0%
Lexus LX470
0
0%
Lincoln Aviator
0
0%
Lincoln Navigator
0
0%
Mitsubishi Outlander
0
0%
Toyota 4Runner
0
0%
Volvo XC90
4
23.53%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll
Volvo XC90 - MotorTrend SUV of the Year
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Toyota Racing = Cheaters
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Volvo XC90 - MotorTrend SUV of the Year
Volvo XC90 named sport ute of the year
October 16, 2002
DETROIT -- A versatile ride with elements of a sturdy truck and a comfortable sedan helped Volvo's first entry into the sport utility market claim this year's honor of Motor Trend Magazine SUV of the Year.
Built on a car body, the all-wheel drive XC90 has three-row seating and room for seven adult passengers, though Volvo, a unit of Ford Motor Co., designed some of the seats with children in mind.
The second row includes a middle seat that moves forward so parents can scoot a child closer to them. The third row can be folded into the floor to provide more storage capacity.
"It's a very good overall package, offering some off-road capability, a good deal of comfortable interior space and decent fuel mileage," said Todd Lassa, Motor Trend's Detroit editor.
The XC90 becomes available to U.S. dealers next month, although Volvo's limited supply for the rest of the year -- 5,500 to 6,000 -- has been pre-sold, said Victor H. Doolan, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars of North America LLC.
The sticker price starts at $35,100 and climbs to about $40,000 when leather seats, a moonroof and an in-dash CD player are added.
The XC90 competed against 14 other new or significantly reengineered SUVs like the Ford Expedition, Honda's Element and Pilot, the Hummer H2, the new Toyota 4 Runner and the Lincoln Navigator.
The Land Rover Range Rover and Saturn VUE were not judged because they chose not to submit vehicles for testing, Motor Trend said.
Jack Keebler, Motor Trend's Detroit bureau chief, said the publication considers three questions when selecting a winner: What's the most significant new SUV; Is it the best in its class?; Is it a good value?
He said judging is tricky because of the diverse line of vehicles. Price can vary $40,000 from one end of the SUV spectrum to the other, and some are built on truck bodies while others -- like the XC90 -- are made on car platforms.
No longer simply a roughneck ride, SUVs have become a boon for luxury carmakers with some of them now outselling venerable sedans in their line.
David Lucas, an analyst with Autodata Corp., said the XC90 faces stiff competition in its class from the likes of the BMW X5 and the Acura RX300.
A definite plus for the XC90, Lucas said, is its versatility.
"Anything that gives you the utility and somewhat macho look of a truck but still has the amenities of a car and the comfort that the ride affords you, that's going to be the winner," he said.
The XC90 can come equipped with either a five-cylinder or six-cylinder engine -- both turbocharged. Doolan said the XC90 is averaging around 24 miles per gallon.
Motor Trend also will select a car and truck of the year.
October 16, 2002
DETROIT -- A versatile ride with elements of a sturdy truck and a comfortable sedan helped Volvo's first entry into the sport utility market claim this year's honor of Motor Trend Magazine SUV of the Year.
Built on a car body, the all-wheel drive XC90 has three-row seating and room for seven adult passengers, though Volvo, a unit of Ford Motor Co., designed some of the seats with children in mind.
The second row includes a middle seat that moves forward so parents can scoot a child closer to them. The third row can be folded into the floor to provide more storage capacity.
"It's a very good overall package, offering some off-road capability, a good deal of comfortable interior space and decent fuel mileage," said Todd Lassa, Motor Trend's Detroit editor.
The XC90 becomes available to U.S. dealers next month, although Volvo's limited supply for the rest of the year -- 5,500 to 6,000 -- has been pre-sold, said Victor H. Doolan, president and chief executive of Volvo Cars of North America LLC.
The sticker price starts at $35,100 and climbs to about $40,000 when leather seats, a moonroof and an in-dash CD player are added.
The XC90 competed against 14 other new or significantly reengineered SUVs like the Ford Expedition, Honda's Element and Pilot, the Hummer H2, the new Toyota 4 Runner and the Lincoln Navigator.
The Land Rover Range Rover and Saturn VUE were not judged because they chose not to submit vehicles for testing, Motor Trend said.
Jack Keebler, Motor Trend's Detroit bureau chief, said the publication considers three questions when selecting a winner: What's the most significant new SUV; Is it the best in its class?; Is it a good value?
He said judging is tricky because of the diverse line of vehicles. Price can vary $40,000 from one end of the SUV spectrum to the other, and some are built on truck bodies while others -- like the XC90 -- are made on car platforms.
No longer simply a roughneck ride, SUVs have become a boon for luxury carmakers with some of them now outselling venerable sedans in their line.
David Lucas, an analyst with Autodata Corp., said the XC90 faces stiff competition in its class from the likes of the BMW X5 and the Acura RX300.
A definite plus for the XC90, Lucas said, is its versatility.
"Anything that gives you the utility and somewhat macho look of a truck but still has the amenities of a car and the comfort that the ride affords you, that's going to be the winner," he said.
The XC90 can come equipped with either a five-cylinder or six-cylinder engine -- both turbocharged. Doolan said the XC90 is averaging around 24 miles per gallon.
Motor Trend also will select a car and truck of the year.
I need sleep...
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,632
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From: NH
Although the Volvo is not bad i went with the Pilot. Besides not having a sunroof and HIDs there is nothing that the Pilot does not come with. And now with the 5 star rating for crash tests...what else would you really want to buy. I am sure Volvo did very well also in the same tests...afterall Volvos are tanks with wheels!
www.adamepp.com
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From: NOTL, ON
Re: Volvo XC90 - MotorTrend SUV of the Year
Originally posted by MotorTrend
...from the likes of the BMW X5 and the Acura RX300.
...from the likes of the BMW X5 and the Acura RX300.
Anyway....i like the look and feel of the Volvo. I think it would be my choice if I had way too much money to spend on an SUV. Even better looking than the X5 imo
Anyone know how they can it for choose SUV of the year a whole month before the first one is even sold?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 250
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From: somewhere in the mid
It seems like more and more european car manufacturer's are making new SUVs these days (Benz,BMW,VW,Porsche,..) 
I think this new Volvo SUV looks pretty good. I like the interior, looks clean :thumbup:
I think this new Volvo SUV looks pretty good. I like the interior, looks clean :thumbup:
HC Racer H5
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,261
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From: KCK
my inlaws bought a blue pilot to get rid of they problematic jeep grand cherokee...i must say the pilot is HUGE!!! (about as wide as a suburban) but drives really well...is very controlled and from what i hear is not prone to wind gusts blowing it off the road (my inlaws next biggest prob with the jeep besides it breaking down all the time or the interior falling apart)...anway...the fact that a pilot can be bought for 5-10k less is a big factor...maybe the xc90 can be the rich persons suv of the year...b/c it starts are $35k and isn't all that ground breaking...hte pilot will become the midsize family suv benchmark and the volvo will just be antoher luxury suv
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,523
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From: Frisco, Texas
I was thinking this or the Pilot would win, and in the end this won.
It's not too big of a deal, the Pilot tops off where this starts.
The MDX should be more worried about the XC90 than any other SUV out there, they are very similar in price and such.
It's not too big of a deal, the Pilot tops off where this starts.
The MDX should be more worried about the XC90 than any other SUV out there, they are very similar in price and such.
HC Racer H5
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,261
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From: KCK
Originally posted by kazi
jaje or anyone else who can answer this for me...curious question. Does the Pilot's rear window on the hatch open separate of the whole door, like the CR-V?
jaje or anyone else who can answer this for me...curious question. Does the Pilot's rear window on the hatch open separate of the whole door, like the CR-V?
lots and lots of fail
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 23,004
Likes: 1
From: Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit
I voted for the XC90. Why? Because it's the best looking, the most significant, and the safest. I can't really vouch for it since I've never driven it, as i haven't any car on this list...but it certainly is a very nicely done vehicle by Volvo.
Hey, if the Pilot had won this then they coulda had 2/3 with the Accord :thumbup:
Hey, if the Pilot had won this then they coulda had 2/3 with the Accord :thumbup:
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,523
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From: Frisco, Texas
Originally posted by 02RSXTYPES
I voted for the XC90. Why? Because it's the best looking, the most significant, and the safest. I can't really vouch for it since I've never driven it, as i haven't any car on this list...but it certainly is a very nicely done vehicle by Volvo.
Hey, if the Pilot had won this then they coulda had 2/3 with the Accord :thumbup:
I voted for the XC90. Why? Because it's the best looking, the most significant, and the safest. I can't really vouch for it since I've never driven it, as i haven't any car on this list...but it certainly is a very nicely done vehicle by Volvo.
Hey, if the Pilot had won this then they coulda had 2/3 with the Accord :thumbup:
I'd have to agree with you on that, i love the interior look, and the anti-rollover features really make me like the thing. Only gay thing is that the bigger engine only comes with the 4-speed auto, since there wasnt enough room for the 5.
I also think the VW Touraeg looks promising, more so than its Porsche brother IMHO.