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    2019 Volvo V90 Cross Country review: A plush adventure wagon

    The system to make station wagons extra interesting to SUV-crazed Americans is not precisely a secret. Take a daily wagon, add a number of inches of floor clearance, staple on a tasteful serving to of exterior plastic cladding and, voila, your longroof is immediately extra fascinating. It’s a blueprint that Volvo has used for its Cross Country fashions for 20 years, and after spending a while with the 2019 V90 Cross Country, I can say it nonetheless works fairly properly.Toughen upThe Cross Country’s plastic cladding provides some good visible toughness to the already trendy V90. From a practicality standpoint, in addition they present further physique safety, whether or not you are venturing off highway or simply dodging procuring carts within the city jungle. Combine that with the straightforward and robust physique strains, a reasonably “Thor’s Hammer” headlight remedy and new-for-2019 grille, and the entire package deal appears smashing.

    The pumped-up stance helps, too. A 2.7-inch greater trip peak offers the Cross Country extra clearance to strike out into the wilderness. While I did not journey out to the center of nowhere to totally take a look at off-pavement capabilities, I did trudge by a winter storm that introduced 8 inches of snow to southeast Michigan. Here, the additional peak prevents the entrance decrease air dam from doubling as a snow plow.The Volvo’s customary all-wheel drive system additionally turns out to be useful to cost by accumulation and make up for the 19-inch Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires’ not-so-stellar winter-weather efficiency. Even for an all-season tire, stopping distances are lengthy and grip round turns is disappointing, leading to a lot of tail-wagging motion. Thankfully, all-wheel drive does a great job corralling issues round corners to maintain the Cross Country transferring within the desired course with only some small steering corrections. If you need, managed drifts are potential. Not that I might know something about that, in fact…

    On plowed, salted roads, the Cross Country’s comfort-focused chassis tuning is drastically appreciated. With 235/50 collection tires, there’s some sidewall to assist easy out most highway imperfections, and my tester’s $1,200 rear air suspension makes issues a bit cushier, as properly. Of course, a extra compliant suspension and better heart of gravity does imply that there is noticeable, however managed physique roll in turns — barely greater than what you may get within the common V90. The steering is evenly weighted and on the imprecise aspect, even with the automobile’s Dynamic mode activated, which is ok and matches the automobile’s cushier and relaxed vibe.The Pirelli all-season tires assist ship good trip consolation, however are missing within the snow efficiency division.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    T6 trade-offsWhile the bottom V90 Cross Country comes with the 250-horsepower turbocharged T5 four-cylinder, my tester packs the stronger turbo- and supercharged T6 powerplant. With 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque on faucet, there is no scarcity of punch. Volvo claims the 4,180-pound Cross Country hits 60 miles per hour in plausible 5.8 seconds. However, I do have points with how mentioned energy is delivered. There’s a noticeable lull at throttle tip-in after which spastic energy supply all through the rev vary. An eight-speed automated transmission bolts to the complicated engine that returns smooths shifts more often than not, however sometimes turns in some tough cog exchanges. Together the drivetrain receives an EPA estimated gasoline economic system scores of 20 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 30 mpg on the freeway. Unfortunately, I did not get an correct real-world combined gasoline studying. All the snow storm driving and prolonged warm-up durations in frigid temperatures threw issues off, however I nonetheless averaged 19.3 mpg — not too far off from the EPA’s metropolis determine. The turbo- and supercharged T6 engine is potent with 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    A snug, tech-filled cabinLike the surface, the within of the Cross Country is straightforward and trendy. Surroundings are constructed from high quality supplies and the design gives simply the correct quantity of aptitude. A contrasting black and beige two-tone coloration scheme, open-pore darkish walnut wooden trim and silver accents present a very premium really feel. And with out query, Volvo seats are one of the best within the enterprise, possessing good help some preliminary squish will allow you to sink into.An ordinary panoramic sunroof makes the cabin gentle and ethereal, and house in each rows of seats is beneficiant. Being a wagon, cargo capability can also be a powerful swimsuit, with 25.5 cubic ft of actual property within the trunk space, which grows to 53.9 cubic ft with the second row folded. I put it to good use throughout a provide run for the Wong household restaurant, piling in 1,080 eggs, six containers of t-shirt luggage, paper towels, a case of commercial-grade Tide cleansing detergent and a bunch of different eatery odds and ends.

    On the tech entrance, Volvo’s 9-inch, vertically-oriented Sensus touchscreen system takes care of infotainment options. Screen graphics are crisp and the primary dwelling display screen simply will get you to widespread menus, with tiles for navigation, audio, telephone and one for apps like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify or Pandora. The V90 Cross Country’s cabin is fantastically trimmed and massively snug.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    Things like local weather, heated seats and engine cease/begin are additionally managed by the middle display screen, which could be distracting as you progress by its myriad menus and shows. Disappointingly, Sensus continues to be gradual as well, even with its quicker processor, inflicting me to attend impatiently to activate the bun heaters, dial up the thermostat and alter vent settings throughout this winter storm. Call me old school, however a number of extra buttons and knobs on the middle stack to not less than management local weather can be simply effective.

    Since it is a Volvo, the V90 Cross Country’s stage of security tech is strong, with customary adaptive cruise management with lane-keep help, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross visitors alert and rear parking sensors. A $2,500 Advanced Package beefs issues up additional with a 360-degree digicam, adaptive headlights, head-up show and automated parallel and perpendicular park help.How I might spec itI like energy simply as a lot as the following man, however the T6’s wonky supply is a turn-off. Because of that I am going to take the aforementioned turbo-only T5 in my V90 Cross Country. With $54,940 base value, together with $995 for vacation spot, I might spring for a $645 Magic Blue Metallic paint job and $750 heated rear seat and heated steering wheel package deal as a result of Midwest winters could be brutal. That takes my splendid automobile’s price ticket to $56,345, considerably undercutting the $62,190 take a look at automobile you see pictured right here. I am going to take my V90 Cross Country with the bottom T5 engine.
    Jon Wong/Roadshow
    A unique alternativeThere’s loads to love concerning the Volvo V90 Cross Country. Slightly extra all-weather and all-terrain efficiency with customary all-wheel drive and better trip peak give it capabilities that may rival many crossovers. The taller stance and visible updo assist, too. The V90 additionally boasts loads of house, luxurious and luxury for an always-relaxing trip, regardless of the situation.That the V90 Cross Country will set you other than the ocean of crossovers and SUVs is one other big promoting level. Cars just like the Audi A4 Allroad, Buick Regal TourX and Volkswagen Golf Alltrack do that at a cheaper price, and Volvo will quickly promote a Cross Country model of its V60 wagon, too. But should you fancy a giant wagon with SUV utility and oodles of luxurious, the V90 Cross Country is de facto the one sport on the town.

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