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In order to restart their company, Volvo decided first to release the XC90 crossover. This was a good move because it allowed them to refine the S90 sedan and V90 wagon further. The latter was showcased last year, and it has been available for sale for a couple of months as the 2018 Volvo V90. The car is mostly identical to its sedan counterpart the exception being the body style.
It has the same wheelbase, the same engines, and trim levels. The car has not only been released for the European market but also for the US market. Unfortunately for those in the US Volvo decided to offer the regular V90 only as a custom order model. This won’t allow dealers to stock the car so it might be hard to get one.
2018 Volvo V90 Price and Ordering Process – Unique?
At least in its class, the V90’s ordering process is a rather special process. Volvo will offer the buyer two tickets to allow him to go to Volvo’s European plant to pick-up the car before shipping the car to the US dealership. For the regular V90 Volvo doesn’t disclose the price outright but it seems it is not all that different from the V90 Cross Country which can be had for little over $56,000.
The 2018 Volvo V90 is a direct replacement for the older V70. However, it is more expensive, slightly larger, more powerful and considerably more luxurious. This has been possible mostly thanks to Volvo’s modular platform which allowed them to offer a really long wheelbase. This means that they managed to offer quite a bit more room inside the cabin than before. On top of that, the modular platform is both lighter and stiffer than the one before it, so the V90 is also considerably better to drive.
Interior
The V90 features roughly the same interior layout as the sedan or the crossover. There is plenty of room, the materials are great, and the design is as minimalist as it gets. While this may be a problem for some, the design is actually quite refreshing and especially so when we compare it to its German rivals. The customer can choose from a number of inserts such as wood, piano-black trim, aluminum and likely carbon fiber in the near future. The seats are very supportive in the base trim level, and Volvo is offering multiple layers of electric adjustment. The seats can be heated, ventilated and the two front seats can be equipped with a massaging function. There is also a lot of space available for the rear seats. Unfortunately, the car is not perfect for carrying five people. The reason is that a large center armrest divides the rear bench seat and the middle seat is raised back so that it might get uncomfortable in the long run. Luckily, though, the trunk space increased over the sedan so the V90 might be the perfect family hauler.
Exterior
The 2018 Volvo V90 is a definite step-up over its predecessor. While it still uses the same design scheme as the S90 or the XC90, the V90 does bring a set of unique features to the mix. The rear of the car is quite sporty with a roof-mounted spoiler, a dual exhaust system, vertical L-shaped tail lights and a rather large rake for the rear window. The front features the same “Thor’s Hammer” LED daytime running lights inside the headlights as the S90. The Cross Country features extra black plastic inserts on the exterior and a slightly higher ground clearance, but the rest of the car is identical to the regular V90. Partsgeek offers headlight assembly parts for all makes including Volvo.
Under the Hood
There are two different engines available in the US while the European market gets quite a few more. The base US model of the 2018 Volvo V90 is the T5 which uses a 2-liter turbo four with 250 horsepower. Further up the range, there is the T6 with a turbocharged and supercharged 2-liter inline-four with 316 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. In Europe, there is also the T8 hybrid with 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque and all wheel drive. A set of diesel ranging from 148 up to 232 horsepower is also available. All models get an eight-speed automatic except the European base diesel and gas engines. These are also available with a six-speed manual. All-wheel drive is available on the T6, T8 and most diesel offerings.
2018 Volvo V90
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Design
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Price
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Engine
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Interior
Summary
There are two different engines available in the US while the European market gets quite a few more. The base US model of the 2018 Volvo V90 is the T5 which uses a 2-liter turbo four with 250 horsepower. Further up the range, there is the T6 with a turbocharged and supercharged 2-liter inline-four with 316 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque.
