20 years ago, Volvo with the model V70 XC invented a segment of vehicles, placed somewhere between SUV and station wagon. A few days ago, the Swedes presented its successor – an off-road version of the V90 station wagon, with a full name Volvo V90 Cross Country. The 90 series is now complete. After XC90 SUV, limousine S90 and station wagon V90, V90 Cross Country joins the fleet.

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country highlights

Predecessors

1st generation 1998 V70 XC, 2nd generation 2003 XC70, 3rd generation 2007 XC70.

Production

Torslanda, Sweden.

Start of sales

Sales in Europe begin in late March or early April 2017.

Price

Estimated price around 56,000 euros in Germany, 56,000 USD in United States.

Volvo V90 Cross Country main highlights:

• The technical foundation is the 90-series platform, the bodywork is taken from V90.
• The chassis is new, the ground clearance is 6 centimeters larger (21 centimeters or 8.4 inches).
• Two petrol and two diesel engines, all turbocharged, from 190 to 320 hp.
• Manual transmission (6-speed) is only available with the weaker diesel engine.
• Serial 4-wheel-drive in all versions.
• Luxury interior befits this vehicle class.

Stormy times, sales are growing

Volvo is indeed something special. Yesterday it was the burden of Ford, today enviable success of the Chinese Geely. Back in the 90s, they buried the 90-series (or 900), today we witness its revival. And finally, there is a confusion with model names and sizes. But they remained confident and their sales figures are growing. And that is what counts.

Family of large-sized Volvo’s complete: XC90, S90, V90 and now V90 Cross Country

Volvo V90 Cross Country has the elegance of the V90, the highest standards of safety and comfort, and driving performance that goes beyond the asphalt road. The bodywork is additionally protected and the distance from the ground is 6 centimeters higher than with the V90 station wagon. At the same time, they adapted chassis and electronic systems. An additional plate to protect the engine is installed under the front part of the car.

But the question remains, why Volvo decided to offer such a large crossover? They say that the Volvo V90 Cross Country was eagerly awaited in the market, which is probably true, because they have contact with customers. On the other hand, the competition does not offer crossovers of this size. Volvo’s 90 Series is slightly larger than the Audi A6. Anyway, something is certainly true. Sweden and its people are exceptionally rich. And they live in a country with more or less flat land, mostly overgrown with forests and a lot of dirt roads. Following from this, it seems logical that the average Swede can afford a spacious and luxurious crossover.

Confusion around Volvo crossovers naming

Volvo named its first crossover cross-country, which is abbreviated as XC (X as Cross, C as Country). Therefore, we got the V70 XC model. Then they presented a large SUV XC90, which was (as a sporty terrain vehicle), more than a crossover. Then came the successor to the V70 XC and they named it XC70. Now comes the big crossover based on the V90, whose philosophy is the same as the aforementioned trio (V70 XC and XC70), except that the newcomer is now called the V90 Cross Country.

Thorough work on the chassis: 21 centimeter of ground clearance

At Volvo they want to ensure that their customers understand that the upgrade from V90 to V90 Cross Country is not a job for some design apprentice, but as a serious and difficult process. They decided to raise the chasis of V90 for as much as 6 centimeters (ground clearance in Volvo V90 Cross Country is 21 centimeters or 8.4 inches). They also simulated around 200 calibrations of a newly developed chassis under realistic test conditions and then selected the one that proved to be the best. So the car now stands firmly and high on a specially developed tires with a diameter, more than 4 centimeters larger compared to the V90.

Volvo V90 Cross Country: typically 90 Series, but it differs from other family members

In addition to a raised chassis and plastic protective elements, Volvo V90 Cross Country has a changed front part, including the motor mask. As such, it is still easily separated from the classic V90, but it is also significantly less terrain alike as the XC70. That kind of appearance is consistent with a luxurious interior, where there are no compromises, all the way to the Bowers & Wilkins audio system. And no matter which of the two offered environments (less and more off-road) buyer chooses. This, they say, is a modern Volvo’s cross country. And all the smaller models will follow this direction.

Four-wheel drive as standard

The new 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country measures 496 centimeters in length. The wheelbase is, compared to its predecessor, 13 centimeters longer. Luggage capacity, with the rear seats folded, is 1,526 liters. Four-wheel drive is offered as standard. And the interior is pampering the passengers with excellent materials, 23-centimeter (9.1-inch) touch screen, a semi-autonomous driving system and top-notch Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Under the bonnet we can expect D4 diesel engine with 190 hp and D5 with 235 hp. Petrol fans can count on T5 petrol engine with 254 hp and T6 with 320 hp. Volvo has undergone testing in extreme conditions. His endurance and durability were tested in the cold and snow in Sweden, where temperatures fall 40 degrees below freezing, and in the hot Arizona desert.

Volvo V90 Cross Country start of sales in Europe: the end of the first quarter of 2017

As for the car itself in the basic sense of the word, Volvo can be trusted. It is not hard to believe that the Volvo V90 Cross Country is among the safest in the world, that is (will be) carefully manufactured and reliable, and that his mechanics can deal the situations that is intended for. And that are different surfaces and especially different, even unpleasant weather conditions, with which Swedes have their own rich experience. The first Volvo V90 Cross Country units are already manufactured, the local dealerships can expect the first examples in late March or early April 2017.

Officially, the new Volvo V90 Cross Country is going to be presented at the Paris Motor Show. Volvo plans to sell 20 thousand units in 2017. The highest hopes in terms of sales figures are going to the Swedish and US markets. Prices are not yet known, entry-level model with D4-diesel engine and automatic transmission, is expected to cost around 56 thousand EUR in Germany and 56,000 USD in the United States.

Volvo V90 Cross Country luggage compartment.

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country technical specifications

• T5 AWD, 2-liter turbo charged petrol engine. Maximum power 254 hp, maximum torque 350 Nm, 8-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, top speed 230 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, average fuel consumption 7.4 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions 169 g/km.
• T6 AWD, 2-liter turbo charged petrol engine. Maximum power 320 hp, maximum torque 400 Nm, 8-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, top speed 240 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, average fuel consumption 7.7 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions 176 g/km.
• D4 AWD, 2-liter turbo charged diesel engine. Maximum power 190 hp, maximum torque 400 Nm, 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel drive, top speed 210 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, average fuel consumption 5.1 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions 134 g/km.
• D5 AWD, 2-liter turbo charged diesel engine. Maximum power 235 hp, maximum torque 480 Nm, 8-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel drive, top speed 230 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, average fuel consumption 5.3 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions 139 g/km.

Image credit: Volvo