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# 2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6 - Bottom Line Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-volvo-v90-cross-country-t6-bottom-line-review/
- Published: 2019-02-15T15:57:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T19:33:26.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Station Wagons

#### From its PV445 Duett to the P220 Amazon, the P1800e Shooting Brake, then to the rectilinear 200 DL, 700 and 900 series, followed by the front-drive based 850, successor V70s and their Cross Country ilk, with a smattering of more spherical small-compact V50, and the compact plus V60, Swedish carmaker Volvo has been a huge proponent of the estate vehicle. That's "Station Wagon" to you and I, Yankees.

#### For 2018, with a new flexible modular platform in place and Chinese benefactor Geely pumping in Yuan or Krona, a Norse God of Thunder's Hammer has pounded out a shapely full-size estate called V90.

#### Where the "V" stands for "En Stor Äventyrlig Vagn."

#### And Cross Country implies an adventure to the Crossroads of Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle.

### **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***

*WHAT:* **2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6** flagship large luxury station wagon/ estate, replacing the former V70 Cross Country in the brand's lineup.

Standard Power: transverse intercooled turbocharged 2.0L DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 250 hp/ 258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm + 8-spd. torque converter planetary transmission w/ shift paddles + Haldex IV all-wheel drive.

Optional Power: transverse intercooled supercharged, turbocharged 2.0L DOHC 16V DI gas I-4 = 316 hp/ 295 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm + 8-spd. torque converter planetary transmission w/ shift paddles + Haldex IV all-wheel drive.

*WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE:* A flagship wagon rides atop the Geely Volvo Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular platform.

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Stares down permafrost](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-ext-fr-P1220499-ad.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Stares down permafrost

Ruggedized S90: **√** Split creased side valley, spill-over hood; **√** Cutting Edge hyphen engraved concave vertical slat hexagonal grille; **√** Inboard arrow wrap-around LED headlamps; **√** Thors Hammer alternating white DRLs/ amber flashers; **√** More prominent lower front fascia corners feature lose horizontal chrome splitter; **√** Lower front and rear valance matte silver simulated skid plates.

**√** Sharp raked windshield; High belt-line; Sloping upper greeenhouse; Coke-bottle fuselage; **√** Door mount wing mirrors for improved outward view; **√** Thin, obtuse kinked "D" pillar flows to flared rear quarter panel shoulders;

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-ext-rr-P1220580-abd.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6

**√** Roof spoiler; **√** Musical clef vertical taillamp housings trace Kammback liftgate, terminating in inboard reflector housings under liftgate split line; **√** Wheel arch to wheel arch dark cladding; **√** Lower rear valance etched "Cross Country" band; **√** Deep load floor spill-over bumper lip;

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Dual exhaust tips integrated into simulated rear lower skid plate](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-ext-rr-skid-plate-P1220529-d.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Dual exhaust tips integrated into simulated rear lower skid plate

*WHY*: When it absolutely has to be an adventure inspiring luxury Vagn

*WHEN:* On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Summer 2017

*WHERE:* Volvo new vehicle dealers, by special order

*WHERE MADE*: Torslanda, Gothenburg, Sweden

*HOW ROADWORTHY:* Low end supercharger boost turns out to be an elegant if not exuberant method of mitigating higher rpm wastegate turbocharger lag. In concert with the planetary 8-speed Aisin automatic transaxle, power streams. Urgent accelerator prodding hastens matters but is averse to produce an explosive multi-step kickdown.

Haldex IV all-wheel drive is rather passive. Being front-drive biased, it allows understeer fueled plow, then intervene with nearly all torque 90% torque split the rear open differential with ABS vectoring. Powerplant sounds are akin to mild groaning. **+1** *Drive Modes include Off-Road mode*.

8.5"-inch ground clearance, with greater wheel travel seems to necessitate stiffer compression damping reproducing brittle compliance over rougher roads. Roll, weight transfer resistance and turn-in sharpness best most crossover ilk. Static, though weighty winding steering is low on road communication; **+1** *Luxury level body stiffness*; **\-1** *Tire rumble on concrete roads*. **\-1** *Brake pedal reaction = more luxury than enthusiast*.

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Pirelli 19" runflat M+S tires demand optional rear air-spring suspension to dampen impact quiver.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-wheels-P1220531-bd.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Pirelli 19" runflat M+S tires demand optional rear air-spring suspension to dampen impact quiver.

*HOW FAR:* **24** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon; 450 highway miles

*HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* **√** 5 Occupant 2+3 seating

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Available Row 2 integrated outboard booster seat cushions](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-seats-Row-2-booster-004d.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Available Row 2 integrated outboard booster seat cushions

\- For Comparison's Sake:

- 115.8"-inch Wheelbase: 4.4" > Buick Regal TourX, 4.7" < Volvo S90
- Maximum cargo capacity: 27% < Buick Regal TourX
- 2nd Row legroom: 1.0" < Buick Regal TourX

*HOW USEFUL:* **√** 60/40% split folding 2nd Row seat backs w/ center pass-through; **√** Cargo floor chrome load plate; **√** Extended cargo load bumper cover; **√** Spring raised cargo floor management panel w/ stretch straps, hooks; **√** Cargo-area 12V outlet; **√** Power liftgate w/ dual grab handles; **√** Mouse-fur lined, damped action glove box; +**1** Low cowl and and power folding rear outboard headrests aid outward view; **+1** Non-intrusive cargo area wheel arch; -**1** No overhead console retracting sunglass bin; -**1** Sparse center console storage; -**1** No dedicated center console mobile phone storage; **\-1** *Lower side of cargo capacity among station wagons*.

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Wide lower power liftgate aperture for easy loading; Tight nap side sill to sill carpet lining for elegance](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-cargo-P1220608-bd.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Wide lower power liftgate aperture for easy loading; Tight nap side sill to sill carpet lining for elegance

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: 60/40% split folding Row 2 seatbacks expand liftgate area cargo capacity](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-seats-Row-2-cargo-003d.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: 60/40% split folding Row 2 seatbacks expand liftgate area cargo capacity

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: available Heads Up Display](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-HUD-004d.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: available Heads Up Display

*HOW SAFE*: **√** 9 airbags; **√** IIHS Top Safety Pick +; **√** Surround view cameras; sonar front & rear Park Distance Control; **√** Blind spot, rear cross traffic & lane departure warning; **√** Auto parking brake hold; **√** Auto high beam headlamps; **√** Heads-Up display

*Partial Autonomous Driving*: **√** Pilot Assist 2; **√** Full-adaptive cruise control; **√** Lane Keep Assist, **√** Forward Collision avoidance braking. **+1** Permits 23 seconds of hands/ foot free driving.

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: navigating highways w/ vivid 11.2" LCD virtual gauge cluster & vertical tablet 9.0" Sensus 4-pane LCD infotainment touch screen](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-cockpit-drive-nav-Sensus-IMAG9939-bd.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: navigating highways w/ vivid 11.2" LCD virtual gauge cluster & vertical tablet 9.0" Sensus 4-pane LCD infotainment touch screen

Park Pilot \= active parallel (passenger side only) & perpendicular parking

*HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Heated, cooled, 12-way power front seats, including torso bolsters & knee extenders, 2-setting driver's memory; **√** 4 power windows w/ full up/ down express; **√** 3-Zone auto climate control w/ auto front seat heating/ cooling ; **√** Heated leather steering; **√** 2nd Row and aft dark tint privacy glass; **√** Power retracting rear headrests; **√** Door puddle lamps x 4; **√** Panoramic power moon-roof; **\-1** Manual tilt/ telescoping steering wheel;

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: A genuine driver's seat if there ever was one.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-seats-driver-P1220587-bd.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: A genuine driver's seat if there ever was one.

*Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** 9.2"-inch LCD Digital Drive Display w/ configurable LCD twin gauges; **√** Aluminum hammered barrel console twist ignition, roller Drive Mode controls; **√** B&W Nautilus dash top aluminum bullet tweeter speaker - Yellow Kevlar door speakers  

*Details Done Righ*t: **√** Brushed aluminum inlays, speaker housing covers & switch-gear; **√** Dark wood veneer center console bin shade; **√** Contrast stitched, perforated Nappa leather seating & upper door panels & dash-top; **√** Full dashboard & door panel ambient LEDs; **√** Dense pile cargo area carpeting.

*Nearly Non-Descript*: **\-1** Black mesh cloth headliner;

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** 9" Sensus vertical tablet-style, pane-swipe, touch LCD infotainment screen; **√** Rotary audio volume dial, selection, defroster & Home screen switches ; **√** Bluetooth, hands-free communications; **√** Voice-to-text SMS messaging; **√** Voice command/ guidance 3-D HDD GPS navigation; **√** Android Auto + Apple CarPlay; **√** Sensus Connected Apps: **√** USB x 4, 12V x 3.

![2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Driver's eye view of Sensus navigation vs. Android Auto Google Maps navigation on the 9.0" vertical touch tablet LCD display](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2019/02/RB-2018-Volvo-V90-CC-T6-AWD-cockpit-nav-Sensus-AndroidAuto-004d.jpg)

2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6: Driver's eye view of Sensus navigation vs. Android Auto Google Maps navigation on the 9.0" vertical touch tablet LCD display

**Audibly**: **√** 19 speaker, 1400 W Bower & Wilkins = upper frequency sibilance, concert hall depth

**By Subscription**: √ SiriusXM (90 days incl.) ; Sirius TravelLink apps; **√** 4G LTE by Verizon;

*HOW MUCH: *$64,640** \= as tested **2018 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6 AWD**

*WHAT'S MISSING:* Power steering wheel adjustment; Much needed exhaust character;

*ANY COMPETITION:* **Audi A4 Allroad**: **+1** virtual cockpit, Torsen quattro, handling; **Buick Regal Tour X**: **+1** price  

*FINAL WORD: *At the Crossroads of New Scandinavian Flagship Wagon and the Arctic Circle*.*