Volvo's first SUV, the midsize Volvo XC90, was a key salvo in Volvo's latest product offensive. Designed to be more refined than rugged, the XC90 has since become the best selling European SUV in the U.S., winning dozens of awards along the way.

The family-friendly XC90 earned those accolades for its car-like ride, top safety ratings (including a "Best Pick" recommendation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), long list of standard equipment, and features like an electronic stability control system specifically designed to reduce the likelihood of rollover crashes. Built on the same underpinnings as Volvo's flagship S80 sedan, the XC90 is a crossover vehicle in the best sense of the phrase, combining many of the better qualities of minivans and SUVs.

For all the XC90 has going for it, however, there are still a sizeable number of SUV buyers who apparently aren't interested. Sales figures showing that 30 percent of luxury SUVs sold in the U.S. are equipped with V8 engines leaves the original XC90, powered by its five- and six-cylinder inline engines, at a competitive disadvantage in the eyes of at least some potential customers.

The introduction of the 2005 Volvo XC90 V8 aims to change all that. With its new 311-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8, six-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel-drive system, Volvo's sophisticated trucklet is now suitably equipped to go toe-to-toe with the most highly regarded V8-powered luxury crossovers on the market.

With the XC90 V8, the Volvo SUV lineup now includes three distinct models. The 2.5T, powered by a 208-horsepower inline five-cylinder engine, is the entry-level choice, while the 268-horsepower, inline six-cylinder-powered T6, which yields its place at the top of the line to the new V8, still remains a good option for those looking for an upscale sport-utility vehicle.

At the head of the class, the XC90 V8 is offered in a single well equipped trim level that has essentially all the same bells-and-whistles as the upscale T6 model. A few added features - including standard all-wheel drive and seven-passenger seating - and a handful of cosmetic changes inside and out are all that set it apart.