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Overview

Credited with kick-starting Volvo's design renaissance when it appeared for the 2016 model year, the 2020 XC90 remains one of the most stylish options among luxury SUVs.

It's powered by one of three different four-cylinder power-trains, including a plug-in hybrid, and can be had in six- or seven-passenger configurations.

Inside, buyers will find a cabin that epitomizes Scandinavian luxury, highlighted by fine materials such as nappa leather, real wood trim, and tasteful chrome accents.

A vertically oriented infotainment touchscreen provides controls for the majority of the XC90's systems and settings, and a driver-facing 12.3-inch screen serves as a digital gauge cluster.

As with all Volvos, the 2020 XC90 is focused on safety as much as it is on luxury, and a host of driver-assistance features are standard across the board.

What's New for 2020?

The XC90 receives a visual freshening for 2020 by way of a new grille and front bumper; Volvo also has restyled the XC90's wheels. Base Momentum models now come with low-profile roof rails and integrated tailpipes while sporty R-Design models swap matte silver exterior trim for gloss black.

All XC90 models now come standard with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, R-Design and Inscription trims gain front parking sensors as standard, and Volvo has tweaked the operation of both the rear cross-traffic alert feature and added active-steering support for the City Safety driver-assistance feature.

Inside, Momentum models now can be ordered with Black Ash wood trim, R-Design models come with nappa leather upholstery, and T8 Inscription models sport a restyled shifter made from Orrefors crystal.

Both the Momentum and Inscription models will now offer a six-passenger layout with second-row captain's chairs. The T8 plug-in hybrid model now comes with a larger 11.6-kWh battery; the ultra-loaded (and ultra-pricey) Excellence trim is no longer offered.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Momentum: $49,345
R-Design: $57,095
Inscription: $63,595

Volvo's largest SUV is best had with the mid-range T6 engine—a 316-hp turbo- and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder—and dressed in Inscription trim.

For the $6500 increase versus the mid-range R-Design, the Inscription adds a host of features that we expect luxury SUV buyers will have on their short list, including ventilated front seats, lane-keeping assist, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and 20-inch wheels, and a statelier exterior design.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The XC90 can be had in three versions, all of them riffs on the theme of Volvo's 2.0-liter turbo four. The base model, features the 250-hp turbocharged T5 engine paired with front-wheel drive.

The more powerful T6 version adds supercharging to the turbocharging system to result in 316 horsepower. It's optional in the base Momentum trim and standard in Inscription models; the engine only pairs with all-wheel drive.

The 400-hp plug-in hybrid XC90 T8 starts with the T6 power-train and adds two electric motors and a charging port on the exterior.

It features Volvo's optional air suspension, which adds Eco, Comfort, Off Road, and Dynamic drive modes along with individually customizable suspension settings.

That suspension provides a pleasant, insulated ride, and it handles most road situations well.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

In addition to delivering rapid acceleration, the T8 plug-in version will run on electricity alone.

The 2020 XC90 received a larger battery pack and its range has not yet been rated by the EPA, but the 2019 model and its smaller battery offered up to 17 miles of electric-only range.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

When equipped with its turbo- and supercharged engine, the XC90 achieves similar EPA ratings to those of its V-6 competitors.

I expect a longer real-world electric-driving range with the 2020 model's larger battery pack.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The XC90's interior is a masterpiece of the medium. From the attractive design to the quality of the materials, we wish there were more vehicles like this.

Adults won't be happy in the third row, despite the fact that it offers more legroom than similar rivals, but preteens can probably be persuaded, provided the journey is short.

The XC90's wide, boxy silhouette helps in the cargo-hauling department, but interior compartments aren't as cavernous as in some competitors.

Infotainment and Connectivity

A handsome, tablet-like 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard in all XC90s, and its operation is mostly intuitive.

Every model has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability; a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is optional.

The system could be improved by adding more redundant hard buttons.

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Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The XC90 was rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2019 and earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), making it a good choice for drivers who prioritize safety.

Volvo's commitment to safety is legendary, and it has put all of its best technology in the XC90.

Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Standard lane-departure warning
2020 Volvo XC90

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The XC90 has a merely average warranty plan versus competitors. However, Volvo outdoes them by offering excellent complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
Power-train warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
Hybrid components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
2020 Volvo XC90

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Saturday, August 22, 2020

2021 Ford Explorer Review

Overview

If you're shopping for a new mid-size SUV for 2021, Ford is hoping that its Explorer will make its way to your driveway. It offers three rows of seats and plentiful room for hauling cargo, and it comes equipped with much of the connectivity and safety features that are on most buyers wish lists.

The base and XLT models come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is optional. Optional on the Limited is a hybrid power-train, and the top-spec Platinum and sporty ST models come with a twin-turbo V-6.

Overall, the Explorer is a decent choice, but rivals such as the Kia Telluride, the Hyundai Palisade, and the Mazda CX-9 offer more polish.

What's New for 2021?

Ford has made a few tweaks to its mid-size crossover for 2021, such as making heated seats standard on the XLT, offering a heated steering wheel as an optional feature on that model, and including an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat on the Limited, ST, and Platinum models.

A Sport Appearance package is now available on the XLT trim, and it includes 20-inch aluminum wheels that are coated in Carbonized Gray paint.

In addition to the upgraded wheels, the package also brings a mesh grille with Carbonized Gray accents as well as unique lower-body cladding, dual exhaust outlets, Light Slate–colored interior upholstery, faux skid plates, and more.

A new cargo organizer is optional on XLT, Limited, and ST models; the Platinum trim receives this feature as standard.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Base: $33,470
XLT: $35,245
Limited: $44,167
Limited hybrid: $50,600
ST: $53,850
Platinum: $55,725

We think the mid-level Limited model is the best Explorer for the money. It's also the only one available with the hybrid powertrain.

While the hybrid makes sense for people who can take advantage of its lofty EPA-rated city mpg, we found the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine to be sufficiently potent and more efficient on the highway.

It can tow a sizeable 5300 pounds when equipped with the towing package. We'd also add all-wheel drive for $1920. Apart from that, we think the Limited trim's desirable standard features should suffice.

These include a 12-speaker B&O audio system, 20-inch wheels, a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, a power-folding third row, and upgraded driver assists such as adaptive cruise control.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Base, XLT, and Limited trims come with a 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, and it motivates the Explorer with authority. The lead-foot drivers among us will prefer either the Platinum model, with its 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, or the sporty Explorer ST, which uses a 400-hp version of the same engine.

A hybrid joined the Explorer lineup for 2020. It pairs a 3.3-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 318 horsepower.

When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5600 pounds. The Explorer rides on an all-new rear-wheel-drive platform, but all-wheel drive is still optional.

A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. Ride and handling are agreeable and composed but far from entertaining; the Explorer ST is far more athletic, and its extra power and stiffer suspension make it a real performance SUV.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Due to its myriad power-train and drive-train combinations, the 2021 Explorer has varying EPA fuel-economy ratings.

The rear-drive hybrid model is rated as the thriftiest overall, with estimates of up to 27 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Adding all-wheel drive reduces the hybrid's ratings by 3 and 4 mpg, respectively.

The government estimates that the four-cylinder Explorer with all-wheel drive version will earn 20 mpg city and 27 highway.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

While the interior design may border on uninspired, the Explorer's cabin is functional and comfortable—at least for those in the first two rows.

Getting into the standard third row is now easier thanks to a new mechanism that moves the second-row seat out of the way at the touch of a button.

Once back there, however, older kids and adults will find that the seat is too close to the floor to be comfortable. Rivals such as the Chevy Traverse and the Volkswagen Atlas provide more comfort in the third row.

2021 Ford Explorer

Infotainment and Connectivity

An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment is standard and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The system is both attractive and responsive but not as intuitive as I'd like. A rotatory controller would help in that regard. To get the optional 10.1-inch vertically oriented screen, you'll need to upgrade to either the Platinum or ST.

Still, every model is available with voice-activated navigation as well as a rear-seat entertainment system. Apart from the base Explorer, a 12-speaker B&O audio system comes standard.

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Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2021 Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but missed out on a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to a merely Acceptable score in the small-overlap front crash test.

Ford outfits every Explorer with a host of standard driver-assistance technology and offers upgrades such as self-parking assist.

Key safety features include:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross-traffic alert
Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
2021 Ford Explorer

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford provides wholly average limited and power-train warranties that align with most competitors' plans. However, the company doesn't provide the complimentary maintenance that Toyota and Chevy do.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
Power-train warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance.
2021 Ford Explorer

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Friday, August 21, 2020

2021 Ford Expedition Review

Overview

With room for up to eight passengers plus their cargo and a stout towing capacity, the 2021 Ford Expedition is a workhorse for active families.

It's available in both standard-length and long-wheelbase Expedition Max body styles and is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, but buyers who need four-wheel action can have it on any trim level for a price. No Expedition offers an exciting driving experience, but at least the ride is smooth.

Given all its interior space, the Expedition is reasonably comfortable, but it fails to deliver a luxury experience that many buyers would expect from an SUV with such a high starting price; it's more posh cousin, the Lincoln Navigator, may be worth a look for those who appreciate the finer things.

What's New for 2021?

Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist—a bundle of advanced driver-assistance features—is now available as an option on the XLT model for 2021. And the Expedition receives new wheel designs on all of its trims.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

XLT: $55,000 (est)
Limited: $65,000 (est)
King Ranch: $75,000 (est)
Platinum: $76,000 (est)

I'd exercise restraint when shopping for an Expedition, as the more you spend, the more the Expedition disappoints. The XLT model with the 202A package offers luxuries such as a motion-activated lift-gate, remote start, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

I would make one suggestion in the name of vanity: Swap the standard 18-inch wheels for a set of the attractive (and proportionally appropriate) 20-inch rollers to keep the Expedition XLT from looking too bargain-basement.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Motivating the Expedition is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission that pair with rear- or all-wheel drive.

The XLT and Limited models have a 375-hp version of the V-6, but on the top-tier Platinum, it'll make 400 horsepower. While the base engine won't be any quicker than the 400-hp version on the short- and long-wheelbase models.

All Expeditions employ an independent rear suspension that provides better ride and handling than the live-axle setups on Chevrolet and GMC alternatives. While passengers are comforted by its soft ride, the driver is penalized by ungainly handling and imprecise steering feel.

Those who can afford the top-of-the-line Expedition owe it to themselves to check out luxury-branded rivals such as the BMW X7 or the Mercedes-Benz GLS-class.

The Expedition can tow up to 9300 pounds, while the longer Expedition Max's rating is capped at 9000 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

This class of hefty haulers certainly doesn't help preserve fossil fuels. Ford claims its Eco-boost engine (a twin-turbocharged V-6) is more efficient than a V-8, but the Expedition doesn't deliver on that promise.

The rear-driver is rated by the EPA at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway; the all-wheel-drive version drops to 22 mpg highway. While the 420-hp Yukon Denali fell short of its EPA estimate.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Expedition's interior has a square dashboard sporting large air vents and materials that improve with the trim level. Every Expedition boasts 15 cup-holders and a power-folding third-row seat.

The Platinum vehicle features niceties not available on lesser trims, including the multi-contour front seats with a massage function, leather door-trim accents, real wood on the center console, and a steering wheel wrapped in premium leather.

While it is otherwise splendid inside, the cabin's cheap-looking plastics are flagrant fouls and unacceptable for a vehicle that costs this much.

Both models have spacious interiors and—unlike most rivals—a third row that won't torture adults. A three-seat bench is standard for the second row, but you can spec a pair of captain's chairs if you want.

The Max offers unbeatable interior cubby storage. Every model has a power-folding third row that can be controlled from the cargo area or back seats.

Both second and third rows fold completely flat for a level floor, making it easier to load things.

2020 Ford® Expedition SUV | Features | Ford.com

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Expedition is an infotainment sanctuary, with numerous connectivity options and lots of available features.

An 8.0-inch Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a 4G LTE mobile hotspot comes standard.

Navigation plus real-time traffic and weather data costs extra. A rear-seat entertainment system is available but only on the Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum trims.