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# 2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription AWD - Bottom Line Review
- URL: https://www.roadblazing.com/2018-volvo-xc90-t6-inscription-awd-bottom-line-review/
- Published: 2018-11-10T17:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2024-05-06T18:15:11.000Z
- Author: George Straton
- Tags: Sport Utility Vehicles

(Contributing Editor: Susan Frissell)

#### Thor cast lightning and thunder upon the Earth throwing his boomeranging hammer from the skies above. But he moved through the heavens by a chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. Not even one horsepower pulled the mythological Norse God of Thunder.

#### Today, Thor can trade in the goat cart for an imperially impressive Scandinavian flagship crossover SUV made by the peninsula's last volume luxury carmaker: the Volvo XC90.

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

*WHAT:* **2018 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription AWD** flagship luxury sport utility vehicle, into 2nd MY replacing ancient 13 year old 1st generation P2 platformed XC90 Classic.

Standard Power (**T5**): 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 + (optional) Haldex IV all-wheel drive.

Optional Power (**T6**): 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.

*A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: The 1st Volvo vehicle to sit atop the Geely Volvo Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) modular platform. It replaces a first generation XC90 which, though trendsetting at it's launch, was overdue for a remake at a ripe old age of 10 years.*

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Restrained vertical slatted grille size is dominated by available T-shaped Thor's Hammer white / amber alternating DRLs](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-ext-P1090632-bd.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Restrained vertical slatted grille size is dominated by available T-shaped Thor's Hammer white / amber alternating DRLs

Grille-ing Lesson: Low slung hoodline, accented by split creased side valleys, flowing into low rise concave vertical slat hexagonal grille; Inboard arrow shaped slim wrap-around LED headlamps; **√** "Thor's Hammer" alternating white DRLs/ amber flashers; Chrome trimmed lower front fascia corners filled with dark lattice work; Low front corner LED foglamps; **√** Simulated brushed finish lower center skid plate;

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Boomerang taillamps rise vertically from just above bumper to roof spoiler.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-ext-P1090551-bd.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Boomerang taillamps rise vertically from just above bumper to roof spoiler.

High belt-line with beveled crease; Sharp raked windshield; Lower aluminum striped body cladding; Matching satin finish greenhouse bezel and roof rails; Door mounted wing mirrors for improved forward cornering view; 2nd Row doors "A" split windows; Smooth thin D-pillar followed by Hoffmeister kinked liftgate;

Deep and canted liftgate window; Long "S" LED tail-lamps outline rear kink; Thinner lower bumper cover with mid corner reflectors; **√** Simulated brushed finish lower center skid plate;

Summed-up: As provocative as luxury fastback SUV's without the garishness.

*WHY*: *The luxury crossover SUV re-thought for the 21st Century.*

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

*WHERE:* Volvo new vehicle dealers

*WHERE MADE*: Torslanda, Sweden

*WHERE TO:* available Haldex all-wheel drive, e-varies front/ rear traction from 90/ 10% - lockable at maximum 50/50%, rear e-clutch differential limits the slip; Selectable and Driver customizable Off-Road modes aided by ABS descent control; 8" clearance = Inclement weather beater & light off-roader;

*HOW ROADWORTHY:* Drive-E = low speed crankshaft driven supercharging +higher speed exhaust waster gate turbocharging, each liquid intercooled, with brief turbo overboost = Always abundant shove; Delays in power delivery should be assigned to the 8-speed Aisin planetary transaxle laggard torque converter lock-up;

Credit Volvo for retaining a traditional rowing transmission selector lever over contemporary toggle types; Thor's descendants hammered both aluminum twist-action ignition switch & barrel driver mode selector into modern art;

Haldex IV permits enough understeer before assigning up to 90% of torque to the rear wheels with vectoring; *Disconcerting Concert*: the engine utters in a domestic rather than wild feline vernacular.

A feather among 3-Row luxury crossover SUVs; E-adaptive damping smooths washboard wheel hop; Optional rear air-springs swallow most imperfections; However there is wallow in hard turns and dive in braking; Road feel is mostly left to the imagination;

Utterly reliable Pilot Assist 2 semi-autonomous Level 2 driving, offers competent lane control even on freeway bends; Short brake pedal travel is countered by inconsistent modulation, not helped by single piston sliding disc calipers;

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: 12.3" inch LCD configurable Digital Driver Display depicts Navigation graphics and Pilot Assist 2 autonomous systems status](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-gauges-Pilot-Assist-Nav005d.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: 12.3" inch LCD configurable Digital Driver Display depicts Navigation graphics and Pilot Assist 2 autonomous systems status

*HOW FAR:* **22** combined **m**iles **p**er **g**allon; 500 highway miles

*HOW BIG/ LITTLE:* **√** 5 Occupant 2+3 seating; **√** Optional Row 3 = +2 adults around town, early teens on trips;

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: outboard manual split 2nd Row tilt & slide 3rd Row access](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-seats-Row-3-entry003d.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: outboard manual split 2nd Row tilt & slide 3rd Row access

\- For Comparison's Sake:

- 117.5"-inch Wheelbase ≈ Audi Q7;
- LxWxH: 4.7" <, 2.8" <, 1.4" > Audi Q7
- Maximum cargo capacity: 20% > Audi Q7

1st/ 2nd/ 3rd Row legroom: 0.8" <, 1.1" <, 1.2" > Audi Q7

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Fully expanded cargo hold](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-cargo-IMAG1551-bd.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Fully expanded cargo hold

*HOW USEFUL*: **√** 40/20/40 split 2nd Row w/ flat fold seat backs; **√** 50/50% split folding Row 3; **√** Integrated 2nd Row Booster seat;

**√** Cargo area 12V outlet; **√** Mouse-fur lined, damped action glove box; **+1** Above segment average cargo capacity **√** Power liftgate; **√** Sub-cargo floor management; **√** Cargo area power load height adjustment; **√** Split sliding 2nd Row seat cushions; **√** Flat folding 40/20/40% split 2nd Row tilting seatbacks; **√** dual 3rd Row storage bins; **+1** View from tall greenhouse, low sloping hood and lower door mount wing mirrors; *Tow Rating: 5000 lbs.*

**\-1** Manual 2nd Row Seat back fold & cushion slide; **\-1** No 3rd Row remote power or cable folding; **\-1** Small door pockets; **\-1** Limited cockpit wireless device storage in shallow center armrest bin; -**1** No overhead console sunglass bin; **\-1** Distant reach to smaller glove box;

*HOW SAFE*: **√** 10 airbags; **√** IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus; **√** Bird's Eye view Rear camera; sonar front & rear Park Distance Control, **√** Blind spot, rear cross traffic & lane departure warning, **√** Auto parking brake hold; **√** City Safety pedestrian avoidance; **√** Auto high beam headlamps; **√** Heads-Up display

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: (TOP) BLIS and (BOTTOM) Heads Up Display](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-BLIS-HUD-004d.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: (TOP) BLIS and (BOTTOM) Heads Up Display

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

*HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:* **√** Heated, cooled, 12-way power front seats, w/ torso bolsters & knee extenders, 2-setting driver's memory; **√** Massaging front seat backs and cushions; **√** 4 power windows w/ full up/ down express; **√** 4-Zone auto climate control w/ auto front seat heating/ cooling, steering wheel heating; **√** 2nd Row door manual sunshades; **√** Power retracting rear headrests; **√** Door puddle lamps x 4; **√** Panoramic power moon-roof; **+1** Cocooning, cradling fatigue eliminating seats; **\-1** Manual tilt/ telescoping steering wheel;

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: 3-position memory 12-way heated, cooled power front seats w/ knee extension & bolster adjust, back massage](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-seats-front-massage004d.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: 3-position memory 12-way heated, cooled power front seats w/ knee extension & bolster adjust, back massage

*Cool Gizmo(s)*: **√** 9.2"-inch LCD Digital Drive Display w/ configurable LCD twin gauges **√** Aft front center console 2-Zone 2nd Row climate & seat heating LCD haptics touch controls.

*Details Done Righ*t: **√** Aluminum inlays & switch-gear; **√** Linear open-pore walnut wood veneers & center console bin shades; **√** Contrast stitched, perforated Nappa & Nubuck leather seating, upper door panels & dash-top; grab-handles & headliner; **√** Full dashboard & door panel ambient LEDs; **√** Two-tone leather helm; **√** B&W Nautilus dash top aluminum bullet tweeter speaker - Yellow Kevlar door speakers glare through aluminum covers.

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: 19 speaker 1400 watt DTS 5.1 high fidelity audio w/ custom equalizer includes dash-top Nautilus Titanium bullet tweeter and yellow kevlar driver cones](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-audio-BowersWilkins-005d.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: 19 speaker 1400 watt DTS 5.1 high fidelity audio w/ custom equalizer includes dash-top Nautilus Titanium bullet tweeter and yellow kevlar driver cones

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

*HOW "APP" -LICABLE:* **√** 9" vertical tablet-style, pane-swipe, touch LCD infotainment screen, **√** Script text entry; **√** Rotary audio volume dial, selection, defroster & Home screen switches ; **√** Voice recognition command hands-free communications; **√** 3-D HDD GPS navigation; **√** Subscription based Sirius XM radio & TravelLink; **√** Sparkling sibilant, taut 19 speaker, 1400 Watt Bower & Wilkins audio; **√** Android Auto + Apple CarPlay; **√** Sensus Connected Apps: **√** 12V x 3; **\-1** USB x 1 (*2 less than in S90 sedan!!*)

![2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Android Auto onboard](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/d1/42d1f09d-2bf9-43a2-b325-08ba7efa19c5/content/images/wordpress/2018/11/RB-2017-Volvo-XC90-T6-AWD-Inscription-cockpit-Android004d.jpg)

2017 XC90 T6 AWD Inscription: Android Auto onboard

*HOW MUCH: *$72,805** \= as tested **2017 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription**

*WHAT'S MISSING:* Improved exhaust sound, 2nd Row USB ports; Remote 3rd Row seat folding releases.

*ANY COMPETITION:* **Acura MDX**: **+1** V6, value, reliability; **Audi Q7**: **+1** turbo V-6, handling, cabin IT; **Infiniti QX60**: **+1** V6, 3rd Row access & space; **Lexus RX350 L**: **+1** Value, reliability; **Mercedes-Benz GLS 450**; **+1** turbo V-6, Level 2.5 autonomous driving, cabin space;  

*FINAL WORD: *Chariot fit for Thor, his kids: Magni, Modi, Thrud, his wife, Sif, and his folks: Odin & Frigg*.*