SecondHandSense:THE POST-boom four wheel drive market is a wasteland. Cars that cost up to €100,000 are unsaleable, their owners condemned to driving around in a car that costs more to run than they ever imagined. But they are unlikely to elicit much sympathy; they bought into an expensive folly in what seemed like a two-fingered statement to environmental concerns.
One four wheel drive that did not provoke an extreme reaction was the Volvo XC90. Volvos, after all, rely on green and safe credentials to sell them and the XC90 did not seem to have quite the same aggressive profile as the BMW X5 or the Mercedes M Class. Indeed the Volvo is safe, but its environmental credentials are not exactly above reproach - petrol models have high consumption and the diesel doesn't run on air either.
But of second-hand four wheel drives, the XC90 remains one of the most practical and attractive, despite ambitious prices. For a start, its seven-seat configuration covers pretty much all requirements. Add an extremely smart interior with strong seats, a cool Swedish finish, high driving position, excellent ride quality and you have a car that is well built and clever.
Unsurprisingly, you won't find many petrol versions. The best and most popular is the 2.5 diesel, with good but not exciting performance. It's heavy and the diesel just about manages - you'll be doing at least nine litres per 100km. It's not a serious off-roader - it shifts to four wheel drive when required, but is no Land Rover.
Safety is a major virtue. Multiple airbags throughout are standard, as are whiplash, stability and traction control; it has a maximum five-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash programme.
Reliability has been good, although a small number has been recalled.
A 2006 diesel car with extras, including leather upholstery and 82,000km on the clock is at one garage for €36,995. A similar 2007 model with 34,000km is on offer for €39,950. Given that a new XC90 starts at €70,000, these prices don't exactly reflect the current market.
STAR RATING: 6/10