Overview
Buying a sports car isn’t the only way to own a rare and unique vehicle. There’s a wagon for that. Well, two, actually. Volvo is continuing its long-boot tradition with a pair of vehicles that are far less common on public roads than Porsche 911s: the V90 and V90 Cross Country. These two Swedish station wagons sell in minuscule numbers, are beautiful inside and out, and—like most wagons—are more agile than an SUV while offering nearly the same utility. The Cross Country version of the V90 adds some SUV flavor with a lifted ride height and standard black body cladding. Either way, carlike looks, and sheer rarity ensure that these V90s stand apart from the vast fleet of SUVs plying today’s roads.
What’s New for 2018?
Following the launch of the V90 Cross Country for 2017, Volvo expanded its wagon portfolio further for 2018 by providing customers the option to special order the V90, which rides lower than the Cross Country and loses its body cladding. In other words, it’s a conventional station wagon. Volvo also reduced the entry price of the V90 Cross Country by introducing a less powerful T5 trim and added a high-end V90 Cross Country Ocean Race edition into the mix.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- T5 R-Design: $50,945
- T5 Inscription: $52,945
- T5 AWD Cross Country : $53,295
- T6 R-Design: $56,945
- T6 AWD Cross Country: $57,095
- T6 Inscription: $58,945
- T6 Ocean Race Cross Country : $61,495
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
As of this writing, we’ve only been able to test the most powerful T6 versions of the Volvo wagon twins, and while the numbers look solid on paper, the execution is not as refined as it should be from a luxury automaker. Volvo took a hard stance on the side of forced induction for the V90, offering just two 2.0-liter inline-four engines. One has a turbocharger, the other a turbocharger and a supercharger; both pair with the same eight-speed automatic transmission. The T6 supercharged and turbocharged version makes 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, 66 horsepower, and 37 lb-ft of torque more than the base T5 turbo four. Acceleration is fairly brisk, with peak torque swelling early at 2200 rpm, but the power delivery isn’t consistently linear across the entire rev range. Too often we found ourselves tipping deeply into the gas pedal and waiting a few beats for the engine to catch up. It sometimes also sounded labored rather than expensively refined. Although these large wagons do not feel overtly sporty, they are reasonably nimble, ride well, and put up impressive numbers on the skidpad.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The V90s have two of the most beautiful interiors available in a car, with a unique design and quality materials that create a rich experience. The driver and front passenger have the best seats in the house and generous legroom; rear-seat passengers have plenty of spread-out room as well, although rear legroom and headroom are average for the class. Mercedes-Benz aside, no company is doing luxury interiors better than Volvo. The Swedish firm’s warm and comforting cabins offer a compelling argument for the wagons’ premium prices, which buy high-quality trimmings, elegant design, attention to detail, and substantive technology. Beautiful open-pore wood, artful speaker covers, and a vertically oriented tablet-style infotainment screen help separate these cars from the pack. Two-tone leather on the steering wheel and textured knobs and buttons are subtle reminders that these interiors are special places to be. When it comes to cargo volume, the V90 and V90 Cross Country fall short against most competitors in their segment. With nearly identical exterior dimensions to the Volvos, the Mercedes-Benz E400 wagon has 10 more cubic feet of space, and the shorter Subaru has a whopping 19 more. That said, the V90s still offer more than enough room for typical everyday tasks.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Part of the appeal of the V90’s cabin is its clean and simple dashboard, which pairs a large touchscreen with a single line of buttons to control it. Unfortunately, the form-over-function design direction makes for a somewhat frustrating user experience. In lower trims, the V90 and V90 Cross Country have 8.0-inch digital instrument clusters, while higher trim levels get a 12.3-inch display. Both work together with a vertical 9.0-inch center touchscreen that includes features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, USB and Bluetooth audio, navigation, and in-car Wi-Fi.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the Volvo V90 / V90 Cross Country’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer’s CPO program.
Source link
