The high-performance SUV segment is growing every year. This tidbit of the pie has long been tasted by the Germans and Swedes. The first generation Volvo XC90 debuted in 2002 and was immediately appreciated by many, especially American customers. In total, the Swedish crossover has found more than 635,000 buyers in the world. The car has become famous for its safety, comfort and versatile interior that can accommodate up to 7 people. The hopes for the second generation of the model are even higher, especially since the company spent about $ 11 billion on the development of the new Volvo XC90.
Volvo, wishing to slightly change the image of its flagship product, decided to modernize a number of electronic on-board systems, change the style and offer dynamic and at the same time economical powertrains. The result was brilliant. The Volvo XC90 looks very modern and heralds the beginning of a new era of design for the brand.
The XC90 is much larger than the Volkswagen Touareg. The Swedish SUV is 15 cm longer, 10 cm wider and 4 cm higher.
Both SUVs have different front end designs. The Scandinavians put on futuristic lines with a huge grill and vertical chrome grilles and full LED lighting. The German competitor has more conservative forms - a nod to those who value elegance and modesty.
5 years of development differences are noticeable, first of all, inside. Despite the very high quality of the finishing materials used in the Tuareg, the XC90 is undoubtedly better. It offers many more color combinations and interior decoration details. In addition to decorative elements made of natural crystal, you can find aluminum, wood and other high quality materials.
Heated, ventilated and fully adjustable leather-covered seats make it easy to get into a comfortable driving position in both SUVs. The Bowers & Wilkins sound system in the top-of-the-range XC90 is an important asset. The clarity and quality of sound coming from 10 speakers will transport passengers directly to the Philharmonic Hall. This is definitely money well spent.
An entertaining solution is the control panel in the form of a tablet in the central part of the front panel. Its interface resembles the work of modern smartphones and does not have any particular difficulties in management. However, knowing all the functions will require dedication, a lot of time, and regular screen cleanliness in order for the sensors to work properly. Another novelty ode - all-round cameras. The 360-degree picture is invaluable when maneuvering in the city and in the parking lot.
Two-row seating is plentiful - the headroom is comparable to that of a VW. The third row will comfortably accommodate people up to 170 cm tall.
Volkswagen, as befits a flagship car, demonstrates a very high level of quality. Yes, there are no natural wood or polished aluminum inserts, but all the plastic is nice and soft to the touch. The set of additional gadgets is not as rich as that of the Swedish competitor, but it is quite enough for moving around with comfort.
For diesel lovers, Volvo has prepared two 2-liter turbocharged units. The first generates 190 hp. and 450 Nm of torque, the second - 225 hp. and 470 nm. The 4-cylinder twin-turbo of the most powerful version accelerates the nearly 2-ton car to 100 km / h in 7.8 seconds and guarantees a very decent elasticity. The engine is quite economical, consuming an average of 10-11 liters in the city, and just over 7 liters on the highway.
Despite its impressive dimensions, the Volvo XC90 behaves like a compact crossover. All thanks to a low center of gravity, good weight distribution and 4-way air suspension. The difference in ground clearance between the sport and off-road modes is about 8 cm. In the first mode, the car obediently follows the driver's commands, is neutral in corners, and the body does not show any tendency to roll.
However, the most enjoyable is the Comfort mode. The steering loses a little in accuracy, but despite the 20-inch low-profile wheels, the suspension effectively suppresses unevenness of all stripes. When driving at high speed on the highway, you can appreciate the excellent sound insulation.
German engineers have offered, among others, a 3-liter 6-cylinder V-twin turbodiesel. The engine develops 245 hp. and 550 Nm of torque available in the 1750-2750 rpm range. The 3-liter engine accelerates the more than 2-ton SUV to 100 km / h in 7.6 seconds.
Compared to Volvo, the German SUV has better dynamics, which is the merit of a more capacious power unit. Volkswagen Touareg can be equipped with air suspension if the client wishes. On a straight line, the Tuareg demonstrates good stability, but when cornering, one has to admit the superiority of the Volvo XC90. The test VW was equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels and courageously hid any irregularities - both holes in the asphalt and protruding roots on forest roads.
In town, everyone will love the Touareg's good visibility from the driver's seat. A classic rear-view camera will help you maneuver in the parking lot, and pneumatics will help you fight curbs, which allows you to increase the ground clearance up to 300 mm. Fuel consumption in the urban cycle is within 10-12 liters, and on the highway the on-board computer shows no more than 9 liters.
Ultimately, Volvo seems to be more "ripe". The air suspension handles dynamic cornering better, the interior offers a higher level of finish and variety of materials, and the cabin itself is slightly larger. For the Tuareg, it is worth recognizing a victory in a smooth ride on paved paths and a higher ability to overcome obstacles (due to higher ground clearance).
Volvo XC90 with 225-horsepower turbodiesel and 8-speed automatic transmission is estimated at 3,300,000 rubles, and the top-end R-Design - at 3,800,000 rubles. For a diesel Volkswagen Touareg they ask for a little less: from 2,900,000 rubles to 3,100,000 rubles.
Basic technical data
XC90 D5 Volvo AWD
Engine: 1969 cm3
Number, arrangement of cylinders: 4, in-line
Power: 225 hp at 4250 rpm
Torque: 470 Nm between 1750-2500 rpm
Dimensions (Length / Width / Height): 4950/1931/1775 mm
Wheelbase: 2984 mm
Curb weight: 1868 kg
Average CO2 emissions: 152 g / km
Dynamic characteristics.
0-100 km / h: 7.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 220 km / h
Fuel consumption:
City: 7.8 (test 10.9)
Route: 4.7 (7.2 in test)
Combined: 5.8 (8.4 in the test)
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI 4Motion
Engine: 2967cc
Number, arrangement of cylinders: 6, V-shaped
Power: 245 hp at 3800 rpm
Torque: 580 Nm between 1750-2750 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Dimensions (Length / Width / Height): 4800/1940/1730 mm
Wheelbase: 2,893 mm
Curb weight: 2185 kg
Average CO2 emissions: 174 g / km
Dynamic characteristics.
0-100 km / h: 7.3 seconds
Maximum speed: 225 km / h
Fuel consumption:
City: 7.7 (test 11.3)
Route: 6.0 (7.9 in analysis)
Combined: 6.6 (8.9 in the test)
If you are faced with a difficult choice - Volvo XC90 vs Volkswagen Touareg, then our review will help you decide on the right option. In this material, we will consider the basic versions with diesel engines (and it is the heavy fuel versions that have the maximum demand for these models): Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI 204 hp and Volvo XC90 D4 AT 5S Momentum, plus, in these trim levels, these models have the most similar specifications.
Car design Volvo XC90 and Volkswagen Touareg
At first glance, the design of cars is very different, since sometimes they are even considered representatives of different classes: Volkswagen is perceived by many as an SUV, and Volvo is a pure crossover, moreover, of a higher premium segment. It is curious that while the "German" has less ground clearance (201 mm) than the "Swede" - 237 mm. The Volvo XC90 is distinguished by its large body dimensions, but its weight is less, by almost 150 kg. The thing is that it uses the platform of the new generation Volvo Scalable Product Platform with the active use of light and high-strength metals, while the Volkswagen Touareg will try on a new era platform only in the next generation, which is called the Volkswagen Group MLB 2 platform has already been applied at the heart of the second generation Audi Q7 crossover.
Volvo XC90
Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen Touareg
The difference in trunk volume is also very significant: 580 liters for Volkswagen versus 936 liters for Volvo. It is no coincidence that in the luggage compartment of the "Swede" you can place a custom-made third row of seats, which can accommodate two adults quite freely:
Luggage compartmentVolvo XC90with two rows of seats folded (middle and rear)
Luggage compartment Volkswagen Touareg with folded rear row of seats
Among the external options, in both models it is worth noting the possibility of ordering:
- Adaptive headlights.
- Rear view cameras.
- Roof hatch.
- Trunk electric drive.
- Adjustable ground clearance.
Salon Volvo XC90 and Volkswagen Touareg
When choosing Volkswagen Tuareg or Volvo XC90, you should pay attention to the fact that the salons in these models are quite comfortable and crammed with modern electronics. Among the common elements, it is worth highlighting the leather interior, electric seat drives, heated steering wheel, premium audio systems, navigation, engine start with a button. Some of them are already provided for in basic configurations, while others need to be purchased additionally.
Among the differences, it is striking that Volvo has an engine start button and an autonomous preheater / heater as basic equipment (an option for the Tuareg), and an automatic parking system and massage front seats are available on request, which are not available to Volkswagen even for an extra charge. But for the "German" you can order a panoramic glass roof. The number of airbags in the Volvo base is 10, while the Volkswagen has only 6, two more are available for an additional charge (rear side airbags), but it does not have airbags to protect the knees of the front riders.
The main difference between the Volvo XC90 is the presence of a multimedia system in the form of a "tablet", in which an incredible number of possibilities are sewn up and it has no analogues in the class, we wrote about it in detail.
The interior of the Volvo XC90
The interior of the Volvo XC90
InteriorVolkswagen Touareg
InteriorVolkswagen Touareg
Engine and gearbox Volvo XC90 or Volkswagen Touareg
When deciding which is better: Tuareg or Volvo XC90, you should pay attention to the technical parameters. VW Touareg is now presented on the Russian market in only three trim levels. The base 3.6 V6 FSI 249 hp has a gasoline engine, the parameters of which are written directly in the version name, from 2 million 665 thousand rubles. And two diesel versions of the V6 3.0 TDI, with a return of 204 or 245 hp. All models are equipped with 8-speed automatic transmissions of the Japanese company Aisin. At the same time, the 245-horsepower version has an off-road Terrain Tech package with forced center locking through an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch and a lowering row (2.69: 1). Rear locking is also available as an option. The cylindrical center differential also divides traction 40:60 in favor of the rear wheels by default. There are five off-road modes, and the climb limit is 45 degrees (100%).
Volkswagen Touareg
The XC90 has no locks, even for a surcharge, and its engines are exclusively two-liter turbocharged: gasoline with a capacity of 245 hp. (from 3 million 501 thousand rubles) or 320 hp. which additionally has a mechanical compressor (from 3 million 993 thousand rubles), or diesel with a capacity of 190 hp. (from 3 million 260 thousand rubles and only with front-wheel drive, while all the other XC90s are all-wheel drive) or 225 hp. (from 3 million 490 thousand rubles). At the same time, in Russia, an official "chip" is available from the court tuning studio Polestar from Sweden, this is exactly the version we are. The gearboxes are also 8-speed Aisin automatic.
Volvo XC90
Summary
Although the specifications of these models are similar, they are different vehicles. The cost of the new Volvo XC90 is almost a million more, since it is a more modern model, now belonging to the premium class and its modern competitors - BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Range Rover Sport. At the same time, on the market for used cars, the prices of these models are almost identical, although in the case of the XC90 we are talking about much simpler and more affordable models of the first generation, which were really rivals of the Tuareg. We recommend that you take a test drive to make your choice.
Comparison of VW Touareg and Volvo XC90 models: characteristics, appearance, interior, driving qualities, price tags. Test drive video.
The content of the article:
The premium mid-size crossover segment is represented by a large number of first-class vehicles. But if earlier it featured mainly models from BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Audi, today they are joined by the Swedish brand Volvo, which is experiencing a renaissance.
One of the most striking Volvo models of the last few years is the XC90 crossover, which underwent a generational change in 2014. In February 2019, the car underwent a planned restyling, while sales of new items in Russia will begin towards the end of this year.
To reveal all the advantages and disadvantages of the Volvo XC90, we decided to compare it (the 2014 version) with the real bestseller of the market - the latest generation VW Touareg, which is trying with all its might to make its way into the premium segment. And, I must admit, he is good at it.
But be that as it may, today the Touareg has one of the best value for money, quality and technical capabilities.
Exterior appearance of VW Touareg and Volvo XC90
The third generation VW Touareg was shown to the world in March 2018. The car has incorporated the best developments of the company in the field of design, which is confirmed by a powerful and extremely stylish "face". Here the manufacturer has placed a spectacular head optics and a huge false radiator grille, as well as a laconic front bumper.
The crossover's dynamic profile features a long bonnet, large wheel arches, a sloping roofline and elegant "waves" on the sidewalls.
The look is completed by a lean stern with sophisticated side lights, a powerful bumper and two exhaust nozzles. The outer dimensions of the car are as follows:
| Length, mm | 4878 |
| Width, mm | 1984 |
| Height, mm | 1702 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2895 |
The standard ride height is an impressive 220 mm, but with the optional air suspension it can be adjusted between 195-290 mm.
Despite the fact that the second generation Volvo XC90 was introduced back in 2014, its design does not lose in any way to the freshly updated German. And if we compare it with the restyled version of the "Swede", then it loses altogether.
But since the modernized XC90 will reach Russia no earlier than the first quarter of 2020, we will compare VW with its pre-styled version.
So, the front part of the Volvo body flaunts branded head optics with LED elements in the form of a "Thor's hammer", a strict false radiator grille and a stylish front bumper with coolly beaten foglights.
The imposing profile features large wheel arches, stylish sidewalls, a large glass area and an almost flat roof.
The laconic stern is represented by the vertical shades of the side lights, which have become the hallmark of the model, as well as a large luggage compartment door and a neat bumper with a pair of "trunks" of the exhaust system.
The dimensions of the XC90 are as follows:
| Length, mm | 4950 |
| Width, mm | 2140 |
| Height, mm | 1775 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2984 |
Standard ground clearance is 18 mm higher than that of the Touareg, and with the pre-installed air suspension it can be adjusted between 227-267 mm.
We do not undertake to judge which of the cars has a more attractive appearance, but purely subjectively, Volvo is perceived as more solid.
Interior design VW Touareg vs Volvo XC90
The VW Touareg salon is made according to the classic patterns of the brand: laconicism, maximum ergonomics and functionality.
Of course, there are some modern touches here, including a 12-inch LCD dashboard display and a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment complex. The latter also controls the climate system. However, this applies to the top-end equipment, while the basic versions are represented by analog devices and a more modest multimedia system.
The quality of materials and workmanship is in no way inferior to the cars of the higher price segment. The interior of the crossover has a 5-seater layout.
The front riders are offered comfortable chairs with a lot of adjustments and all kinds of benefits of civilization, and the back - a spacious sofa that can easily accommodate three adult riders. The trunk volume is 810 liters.
The interior design of the Volvo XC90 is also made in a laconic style, but here everything is somehow "at home".
In front of the driver is a cool steering wheel with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster (optional with 12.3-inch).
The central part of the dashboard is reserved for the vertical 9.5-inch screen of the information and media complex, which is also in charge of controlling the in-cabin climate. The build quality and finishing materials can satisfy even the most picky critics.
As standard, the car is equipped with a 5-seater saloon, but as an option, a third row of seats can also be installed.
There is more than enough free space on the first and second row of the seat, but only people whose height does not exceed 170 cm will be comfortable in the "gallery". The trunk volume is standardly 613 liters, and with the third row of seats it decreases to 368 liters.
Specifications VW Touareg vs Volvo XC90
One of three engines can be installed under the hood of the VW Touareg:
- 2-liter gasoline engine TSI series with a capacity of 249 liters. with. and 370 Nm of torque.
- 3.0-liter 249 hp TDI diesel generating 600 Nm of peak torque
- 3-liter "top-end" turbo petrol TSI, producing 340 "horses" and a maximum thrust of 440 Nm.
VW Touareg is based on the modular platform MLB Evo, and its suspension is represented by a double wishbone at the front and a multi-link at the rear. The steering is complemented by an electric booster with variable characteristics, and the braking system is represented by disc brakes on both axles (front with ventilation).
The line of engines for the Volvo XC90 is represented by 2 power units:
- 2-liter turbodiesel, available in two boosts: 190 hp. with. and 400 Nm of maximum torque, as well as 235 "horses" and 480 Nm of peak thrust.
- 2-liter turbo petrol engine, also available in two versions: 249 liters. with. and maximum 350 Nm of thrust, as well as 320 "horses" and 400 Nm of thrust.
At the heart of the Swedish crossover is a new SPA trolley, which assumes the presence of a front suspension with double levers and a multi-link system. Reinforced disc mechanisms are responsible for braking, and the steering sports an electric booster with variable characteristics.
Dynamic characteristics of Volkswagen Tuareg and Volvo XC90
In the photo: Volvo XC90, control panel elements
The “weakest” VW Touareg exchanges a “hundred” in 6.8 seconds, while the “most powerful” does this exercise in 5.9 seconds. The maximum speed is between 225-250 km / h and the combined fuel consumption is between 7.1-9.1 l / 100 km.
From the point of view of dynamics, the Volvo XC90 loses somewhat to its opponent, reaching a speed of 100 km / h in 6.5-9.2 seconds. and developing maximum 205-230 km / h. However, the car wins in economy, consuming an average of about 5.2-8 l / 100 km.
Cost and equipment VW Touareg and Volvo XC90
Pictured: Volvo XC90 media system
The base cost of VW Touareg in Russia starts at 3.499 million rubles, while for the top version you will have to pay at least 4.809 million rubles.
For comparison: the base Volvo XC90 will cost at least 3.38 million rubles, and the cost of the top version starts at 3.833 million rubles.
Both cars offer a rich level of equipment, where the equipment is already in the base:
- alloy wheels;
- heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors;
- parktronic front and rear;
- climate control;
- adaptive cruise;
- navigation system;
- multifunction steering wheel;
- LED headlights for head and rear lighting;
- LED running lights;
- start / stop system;
- heating system for the steering wheel and front seats;
- front and side airbags;
- audio system with 6-8 speakers;
- rain and light sensors;
- seat belts and more.
Conclusion
Both cars deserve close attention if you want a quality, spacious and dynamic crossover with the makings of a full-fledged SUV.
However, our favorite is the Volvo XC90, which can please its driver with a more attractive price, a rich set of passive and active safety systems, as well as an optional third row of seats.
Test drive Volvo XC90 against VW Touareg:
When current buyers of the XC90 and Touareg were in school, these models were already hitting the market fiercely.
Time has shown that she won, albeit selling her honor to the Chinese in the end. The crossover concept chosen by the Swedes for the mid-size SUV turned out to be correct. And all the iron-off-road armor of the first Touareg, as we can see, is a thing of the past. Now he, too, is, in fact, a "SUV", albeit with optional air suspension, as well as the XC90. The exterior of both makes you grieve about their own imperfections. Diesels (235 and 249 hp for Volvo and VW, respectively) are merciless and economical to the point of hiccups. But the two Rs on the nameplates on the back - the XC90 has the R-Design package, and the Touareg - the R-Line package - add ambition to these exorbitant handsome men. "German" looks meaner, but "Swede" - more refined. Both "shoot" with merciless diode light. However, the "embrasure" Touareg grill is so bristling with radars, cameras and other automotive "avionics" that, looking at it, it even becomes uncomfortable.
So, impressive appearance, almost equivalent motors and similar automatic transmissions, multi-plate clutches in all-wheel drive systems, a wide range of choice of driving modes and air suspension conditions ... What else do they have in common? Hundreds of meters of electrical wiring and an abundance of electronics, the control of which is tucked into huge tablets, like the very space maps from the popular Soviet song. Maybe the number of buttons in the cabin? It used to be thought that the more of them, the cooler and more prestigious. Now, exactly the opposite. Nine of them were found in a pleasant and inviting Volvo cabin. At present, a bit too much, the Tuareg, it seems, has only six of them.
|
Volvo XC90 D5 AWD |
VW Touareg TDI V6 |
|
|
MOT at an authorized dealer * |
28 900 | 16 040 |
|
Fuel (20,000 km) |
294 400 | 377 200 |
| 13 177 | 13 177 | |
| 87 306 | 96 492 | |
|
Transport tax |
17 625 | 18 675 |
| 441 408 | 521 584 | |
* Prices vary in different dealerships. The figures are calculated on the basis of a mileage of 100,000 km using a calculator for calculating the cost of scheduled maintenance of manufacturing companies** For Moscow, with minimum multiplying coefficients*** Full coverage, no deductible, using the example of one insurance company with the maximum age and experience of the driver safety |
||
I want to get married
Driving the XC90 is comfortable, although landing in well-profiled seats, even taking into account the abundance of electronic settings, is not mine. I love it when in a big car the seats are soft and a little springy. Here, the weight diet has dried them completely. All the necessary armrests, containers, glove compartments and pockets are in place. Well, it is no coincidence that the creation of this machine took the Swedes enough time to equip and send a mission to Mars and, possibly, wait for its return.However, the main thing here is still a vertical tablet. If desired, with its help, you can not only set up the ESC sport mode, but also, say, get married by opening an account on a dating site. Eh, with such a car, reciprocity is guaranteed to you! However, the climate system had to struggle pretty well before it became a goody. As for the rest ... Car parking, autoguard against possible collisions, lane and distance control, active cruise and Drive Assist, which is capricious without your hands on the steering wheel ... Freebie, not driving.
You don't have to buy an SLR camera with a long lens to be known as a photographer. An opinion leader no longer needs a podium - a personal blog is enough. And the "evil" nameplate on the car now does not always hint at the murderous amount of horsepower on the transport tax under the hood. R-Design at Volvo and R-Line at Volkswagen - styling packages, embellishment of standard in filling, but rich in filling of crossovers. Or, if you like, SUVs, since both models are endowed with the qualities necessary for a painless exit from the asphalt. Four-wheel drive, high-torque turbodiesel, air suspension with the ability to increase ground clearance, special all-terrain electronics are offered by both the XC90 and the Tuareg. The underdrive and hard locks are just not enough.
VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
In the Tuareg database it is cheaper - from 3 399 000 rubles, the XC90 costs at least 3 820 000. Diesel R-versions are much more expensive: they ask for Volkswagen from 4 539 000, and for a seven-seater Volvo - from 4 816 000. And this is not the limit - test cars, due to numerous options, crossed the mark of five millionBut it's a pity to dip stylish cars into serious dirt. And expensive - there is a risk of finishing off the laced 20-inch wheels and the very elegant decor a la sport. And the angular Volvo, in our opinion, looks more interesting and angrier than the streamlined Volkswagen. The disks on the XC90 appear larger at the same size; a front bumper with a double "lip" of a pseudo-spoiler is more elegant than a grille of chrome-plated rods with sloppy holes for fastening screws on the opponent's nose; accents like matte side mirrors, colored diffuser imitation and clever vertical rear lights are more noticeable. And the flagship Touareg is like ... just a Tuareg, modestly hinting at a special status with barely noticeable R-Line logos.
Salons: surprise me with screens
Inside - exactly the opposite. In 2014, the second-generation XC90 made the audience gasp by showing a Tesla-like virtual cockpit with digital instrumentation and a vertical nine-inch tablet centered on the dashboard. Only better in execution. The salon with touching "jewelry" details like a rotary lens for starting the engine or a drum for selecting travel modes with a textured notch looks cute today. But ... only if you do not look into the third generation "Tuareg": now even those who restrained themselves at the Swedish presentation gasped. That's where the hi-tech is! The driver is surrounded by the "situational center" of huge, visually spliced colorful screens called the Innovision Cockpit. In front of the passenger there is a ventilation deflector stretched out into all the free space (although it blows only as usual on the sides). And this cybernetic economy in a disco style is emphasized by the contour lighting integrated into the interior decoration. Moreover, it gives out colors for every taste: from warm to toxic-acidic - just move the adjustment slider.
VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
Ergonomics are more successful in a Volvo. And to compare the equipment is a thankless task, such cars are completed according to individual requests. The XC90, for example, delighted with a head-up display, clear 360-degree view cameras, and chic Bowers & Wilkins music. The Touareg responded with a film heated windshield, wireless charging (it does not fix the phone well, though), door closers and a smart climate that distributes flows based on the actual number of passengersThe Touareg generally impresses with the number of fine settings: literally everything is configured, there are seven driving modes alone (Volvo has three) plus several air suspension positions. At first you get lost - where is that in the nooks and crannies of the network of menus and submenus? Volkswagen's interface takes learning and getting used to. Volvo is user-friendly, the easier it is to understand, the quicker it attracts. Anyone who has ever held a smartphone in their hands will instantly figure out the controls. The home screen is divided into popular functional sections - phone, navigation, music ... Touching the silhouette of the man below activates the climate control zone, swiping to the side brings you to the car systems menu, and pressing the central button returns you to the home screen. And the XC90 is made more solid: premium, no questions asked. The Touareg throws multimedia dust in the eyes, but in fact the Germans furtively saved money. From Kia they took the fashion with imitation stitching. The bottom of the front panel is oak, like dried pasta, the door cards are not much richer. And the glossy key so quickly lost its neat appearance, covered with micro-scratches, that the Volvo key looks like a solid accessory against its background, which is not a shame to put on the table during negotiations.
VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
Volvo's special deep R-seats look cool and fit well, but the discreet-looking ergoComfort Volkswagen seats are just as comfortable and ventilated. The rear sofa on a sled with backrest adjustment accommodates both cars, as well as curtains on the windows and acoustic laminated glassBut the rear passengers in the Tuareg are more comfortable: it is shorter than the XC90, and its wheelbase is narrower (2904 mm versus 2984), but inside the Volkswagen it is arranged more competently - much wider in the shoulders, provides more knee space. In addition to separate climate control and a full-fledged 220/230-volt outlet, which Volvo also has, the German crossover provided the second row of seats with a couple of additional USB ports. The XC90 has only two, both under the center armrest cover. A Swedish car with seven seats counteracts - the chairs in the trunk are quite functional, but for the Tuareg they are not provided in principle.
VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
The XC90 R-Design comes standard with Pilot Assist. This is almost a full-fledged autopilot: the crossover itself accelerates and brakes, enters gentle turns - just hold the steering wheel slightly. While you shouldn't get carried away, electronics suddenly lose control. And still, artificial intelligence in Volvo is more developed: the car allows remote control from a smartphone (locks, starting the engine, etc.), understands spoken speech - even the temperature in the cabin changes with a voice commandOn the go: learn materiel
It is a rare buyer who bothers to study automotive engineering: studies show that many are not even aware of the type of drive they have in their own car. But in our case, you will have to learn the materiel, since this is the key to understanding the difference in the behavior of crossovers. At the heart of the Tuareg is a modular platform MLB Evo with a longitudinal arrangement of the motor and power distribution along the axes by means of a mechanical self-blocking Torsen (40/60 in favor of the rear wheels). Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 are built on the same "cart" ... air suspension. Is that on the "speed bumps" shudders, but on large pits on the body, booming vibrations run from weighty wheels with tires 285/45 R20. In general, the settings are reasonable - passengers are not yet shaking, and at the same time they do not feel sick. And if you want to shift the balance on the fly, turn the chassis preset washer on the center tunnel. The Touareg will not go much smoother, but sportier - please. Although in basic mode, Volkswagen pleases with responsiveness. Maneuvers are readily accepted by a trained dog: the owner has not yet thrown the wand, the animal is already breaking off. And we tested the car even without the optional 48V active stabilizers and rear thrusters ...
VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
The engine compartment of both cars is covered with flimsy anthers, but the units are arranged correctly - nothing sticks out under the body. In the normal position of the air suspension, the sills and bumpers of Volvo are located higher, the maximum ground clearance (according to our measurements) is also higher for the XC90 - almost 26 cm versus 25 for the TuaregVolvo also drives reliably and in some ways even more academic: for example, it does not react to ruts. And in sport mode, the stabilization system allows you to glide sideways on the snow in a fun (and equally confident) way. But after Volkswagen, the feeling that the XC90 is not fully awake - the steering wheel is noticeably lighter and more relaxed, a little more delay in reactions, sometimes irregularities in the arc pull Volvo off the trajectory. And here I would say that the Swedish crossover is better suited for travel, where excessive precision is useless. Two nuances prevent it from doing this: the XC90 on wheels of dimension 275/45 R20 badly filters seams, joints and other pits with sharp edges - the suspensions work them out flabbly, echoingly. Plus, at the track speed, the tires are clearly audible in the cabin. In "Tuareg" road noise also prevails, but they are not so pronounced.
VW Touareg
Volvo XC90
With the third row seats retracted, the Volvo trunk is more spacious. It also has a convenient load divider and folds down the middle sofa to create a flat floor. Sockets, clamps, nets, hooks and the ability to lower the body to the loading position are endowed with both crossoversDynamics: V6 versus tricky boost
The initially loud and soft winter non-studs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV (Volkswagen wore summer Goodyear Eagle F1 SUV) definitely influenced the character of Volvo. But the difference in sensations from the power plants cannot be attributed to the raznoshinnitsa. The fact is that the Volvo modular SPA platform is simpler, front-wheel drive: the fifth-generation BorgWarner multi-plate clutch (formerly Haldex), if necessary, supplies torque to the rear wheels, the engine under the hood stands transversely, and most importantly, it can only be four-cylinder. The Swedes, however, contrived with double supercharging, thanks to the pneumatic accumulator of the turbines, removing 235 hp from the two-liter diesel engine. - not much less than 249 forces of Volkswagen's three-liter V6. But, as they say in America, "No replacement for displacement" - the working volume decides. With an equal mass of about two tons, the Tuareg seriously surpasses the XC90 in elasticity (600 N ∙ m against 480), sounds more pleasant and rides noticeably more vigorously: it follows the gas pedal better, the eight-speed automatic machine fusses less and does not stumble so often with the transition to a lower one - you can’t say that according to the passport, the “German” is ahead in acceleration to “hundreds” by only a second (6.8 versus 7.8). Volvo saves the Dynamic mode, but Volkswagen also has electronic doping on board, so the overall impression of the dynamics is brighter here. Moreover, the V6, even without the start-stop system, turned out to be not much more voracious than the Swedish "four", also paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox - on average, it ate 10.4 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km against the Volvo 9.5. The German motor was unpleasantly surprised only by vibrations in a cold state, the XC90 after a cold start runs quieter and smoother.
