2013 Volvo XC90 R Design SUV

The exterior is now painted in full body color, there are LED running lights, revised taillights with LED pipes, and matte silver mirror caps. Automatic windshield wipers, headlight washers, and silver aluminum cabin trim are all standard. And there are two new exterior colors: flamenco red and twilight bronze.

Volvo’s largest crossover soldiers on into 2013 almost unchanged; an all-new model is due for 2014. Although not as spacious as some large SUVs, the XC90 comes standard with seating for seven—including a second-row booster seat—and plenty of space for cargo. Either front- or all-wheel drive can be specified. The 3.2 R-Design gets a sport-tuned suspension, speed-sensitive steering, and twenty-inch aluminum wheels, but there’s no sign of the 3.0-liter turbo six found in the R-Design S60 and XC60. Although the XC90 is a relative bargain when compared with most of its competitors, it suffers from outdated technology and poor fuel economy. The six-cylinder is rated at only 16 mpg around town and 23 mpg on the highway—not that much worse than some of its competitors—but it doesn’t offer a diesel or hybrid option for buyers who put a high priority on fuel efficiency. Volvo has piled on the safety features, including blind-spot monitoring and roll stability control, but due to the XC90’s age, it misses out on the collision-sensing City Safety system.