There are times when the best way to experience something is to ‘just do it’, and in the case of experiencing the natural rugged beauty of West Sweden, the best way to “just do it” was in the driver’s seat of a Volvo XC90 Executive. Sweden, and especially the Gothenburg area of Sweden, is synonymous with Volvo, as this is where the groundbreaking car, truck and engine manufacturing company is located.

I picked up a new 2006 Volvo XC90 Executive at their Volvo Center. Mr. Peter Carman, and with a name like Carman I knew we were in good-hands, met us at the Volvo Center and introduced us to the XC90. The XC90 Executive is a luxurious SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), and along with its plush leather seats, it is a gadget lovers dream, with a state-of-the-art navigation system (more on that later), twin screen and DVD entertainment system including separate headphones for the rear seat passengers, sunroof, refrigerator incorporated in the armrest between the front seats, CD player and a powerful and clear sound system, and many other gems. I tried out as many of the cool gadgets as possible, save trying to drive while watching the rear seat entertainment system. I did have a bit of a tussle to keep passenger in the front seat as my silent navigator now that I had the automated navigation system, but she agreed to “not experience” the rear seat entertainment system, thank God we did not go past a DVD rental store.

Right off, I must tell you that this was my first time, ok I said it, and now I am more at ease; this was my first time driving an SUV, and I loved it. The Volvo XC90 drove like an agile sports sedan with power to spare, which I used extensively on Route 6 traveling north to Sydkoster, as on one of the days we were running late trying to catch the last ferry of the day to the Koster Islands. The gas mileage was very good, and with the large tank, I did not fill up until I returned the vehicle 3½ days and 660 km later. Read the rest of this entry »