2006 Volvo XC90
The 2006 Volvo XC90 is this Swedish automaker’s entrant in the luxury SUV sweepstakes, a comfortable and surprisingly capable vehicle that boasts an impressive number of safety features and a strong but not thirsty optional V8 engine. That engine, a compact 4.4-liter unit making 311 horsepower, is our clear preference over the standard 208-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbo motor, which just doesn’t have enough oomph for a vehicle of this size. A third-row seat is also standard on the V8 model, but only kids will be comfortable back there. Fold it down, and the XC90 features lots of cargo space.