2003 Volvo XC90 T5

Our 2003 Sport/Utility of the Year winner solves many an SUV riddle with very few compromises, and our only complaints are nit-picks: The low-pressure turbo five develops just enough power to be practical; the radio-mode knob is often mistaken for band tuning; and the spacious cargo area could use a few more tie-down points. Our XC received its first service at the 7500-mile mark, and its oil/filter change, tire rotation, and fuel-system treatment took $169.50 from our wallet. Editorial Assistant Brian Vance used the T5 for a long weekend at Lake Tahoe and reported that after filling all seven seats, nary a complaint from the third row was heard, so long as the middle-row seats were moved forward and the aft AC was engaged. We're looking ahead to winter so we can fully test the XC's AWD capabilities in the slush and snow.

FROM THE LOGBOOK
"The XC90's packaging is just short of miraculous."
--Chris Walton