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Motoring

Room For All In The Volvo XC90

parking camera. The Volvo XC90 a bit superfluous in this car and is
is one of the biggest SUV’s on the said to be a tad noisy and thirsty.
road yet it can be reversed into Finally, there’s the ultra-clean T8
the tightest of spaces with ease. plug-in hybrid, the quickest and
It’s a valuable must-have feature most expensive version.
that’s part of the large 12.3 inch All Volvo XC90 variants come
portrait format central screen. This with an eight-speed automatic
has touch controls for most items, gearbox. If I’m honest, I found, at
augmented by steering wheel times when I needed to be quick
buttons. Navigation directions are off the mark for overtaking and the
offered clearly both on the console like, the gearbox felt a bit hesitant
Geoff Maxted of Drivewrite.co.uk takes the Volvo XC90 for a spin screen and in the driver’s eye on the on the uptake. Otherwise, it was
dashboard. All the safety kit you smooth-shifting all the way with
The Volvo XC90 is a class-leading 1,102 litres. With all seven seats up could name is onboard and airbags the added all-weather security of
SUV. In entry-level Momentum there’s still 451 litres - good enough all round means a Euro NCAP score four-wheel drive as standard. The
trim as seen here. It is a car for all for a ‘normal’ family. of five stars. Faultless. diesel offers strong low down pull
reasons and all seasons. When I The youngster absolutely loved I like that these important driver and has a reasonably broad power
say ‘entry-level’ I mean the Volvo sitting in the third row of seats aids are unobtrusive. Try changing band. Unladen, the car sprints to
definition of ‘entry-level’ at £50,000 where she could chant ‘Are we lanes without indicating and the the magic 62mph in 7.4 seconds,
including options. I was fortunate nearly there yet’ with impunity. At steering wheel gives you a gentle although the XC90 is so big you
to test it on a family breakaway a pinch, you could get adults in the nudge as a reminder to watch your don’t really notice.
recently. surprisingly comfy rumble seats that step. There’s a lot of additional kit From the front, it is imposing, with
How can a family unit of four fold flat into the floor, but really available if you work your way up a large grille and redesigned Volvo
adults and one child generate so they are for children. through the trim levels and option badge, plus classy LED headlamps.
much luggage for just a few days There’s easily space for five adults list but, in my view, a lot of what is You can get big wheels if you must
away? There’s probably an equation in the cabin. It’s a Volvo, so it goes available is superfluous unless you but I would stick to the standard
to work it out. Hannibal had less without saying that the XC90 is really like spending money. offerings for maximum ride comfort.
gear when he crossed the Alps. very comfortable. The SUV offers Downsizing is now the thing and It makes for a comfortable car to
Fortunately, the new Volvo XC90 genuine legroom in the second row the XC90 comes with a four- cruise in, gripping well in corners,
was up to the job. even with a child’s safety seat. cylinder diesel as the mainstay of but it’s no sports car, so it leans a
All our luggage went into the Driver visibility is clear all around the engine range with 222bhp and fair bit. That’s the compromise.
huge boot (with the third row and the stand-out feature has 362lb ft of torque. There is a four- So just sit back and enjoy the
seats down) thanks to a capacity of got to be the 360° Surround View cylinder petrol, the T6, which seems relaxed and hushed drive.

The Schoolhouse Hotel

Hook, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 8EF 01793 849481

Lunch 2 Courses £13.95 - 11am to 2pm

Tea from £7.95 - 2pm to 4.30pm (Sun-Fri)

Dinner £26 - 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Reservations recommended

AFTERNOON TEA MENU

Tea & Scones £7.95 per person
A pot of tea, filer coffee or hot chocolate, freshly baked plain and fruit scones,
preserves and clotted cream.
Available without reservation
Afternoon Tea £15.95 per person
Tea & Scones, as above, plus:
Daily changing gateau, fruit cake, selection of petit fours, cucumber & cream cheese
finger sandwiches, smoked salmon & cream cheese finger sandwiches,
ham & mustard finger sandwiches.
Reservations recommended
Champagne High Tea £26 per person
Tea & Scones, as above, plus:
A glass of house Champagne, daily changing gateau, fruitcake, selection of petit fours,
smoked salmon & cream cheese finger sandwiches, individual quiche lorraine,
individual chicken & mushroom pie, Croque Monsieur.
May be reserved by phone with full pre-payment

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