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Pay Enough for Your V90 Cross Country

In the session of car disguise that is the butch-wagon section, dim dark finished plastic is what might as well be called a child's cowhand cap. It's the matte-plastic wheel-curve trim (and now and again guard cover adornment) that says to purchasers: "I've now moved toward becoming something else. We should play."

What's more, however they should most likely observe the plain old station wagon underneath, purchasers need to oblige. The spruce up wagons offer such a great amount of superior to their contributor forms that Subaru and Audi don't considerably try offering the non-butch forms any longer. Yet, in the event that dull dark plastic is the way to accomplishment in this amusement, consider the accompanying odd certainty: If you pay enough for your V90 Cross Country, Volvo paints those bits the shade of the body, making the Cross Country look almost indistinguishable to the stand­ard V90 wagon that the organization additionally offers however on unique request as it were. We don't claim to comprehend this.

In any case, kid, would a purchaser pay enough on the off chance that he picked a Cross Country prepared like our test vehicle. For 2017, the main accessible drivetrain arrangement is the T6 demonstrate, which accompanies a supercharged and turbocharged 316-hp 2.0-liter inline-four, an eight-speed programmed transmission, and all-wheel drive. It conveys a $56,295 base cost, yet our test auto cost $69,440 once it was stacked up with delicate cowhide inside trimmings, rubbing front seats, warmed back detachable seats, four-zone atmosphere control, a Bowers and Wilkins sound framework, head-up show, air-spring back suspension, metallic paint, and different amenities. (For '18, Volvo will likewise offer a more affordable 250-hp T5 demonstrate.)

This drops the Cross Country in the estimating gorge between the A4-based Audi Allroad and the Mercedes-Benz E400 wagon. The Volvo is the measure of the Mercedes with a motor the span of the Audi's.

All things being equal, that four-barrel produces noteworthy yield (with 295 pound-feet of torque to run with its heap of strength). What's more, the 4266-pound Cross Country's 5.9-second rush to 60 mph is bounty fast, if not exactly on the pace of the Germans. The issue is the route in which that power is conveyed. It surges and ebbs. In case you're riding the torque wave, this wagon feels really speedy. Tumble off it, however—as you habitually will—and the auto feels short of breath and weak. Moving move down pauses for a minute, and the motor groans at the exertion. The Cross Country hands over an average braking execution, requiring 173 feet to prevent from 70 mph. Also, the brakes are grabby and hard to apply reliably. Its controlling is impassive.

We're happy to take note of that, in spite of wearing discretionary 20-inch wheels (set up of stand­ard 19s), the Cross Country rides more easily than the fairly hard car on which it's based. Put the mode selector into dynamic should you need a less agreeable ride. The Cross Country's structure feels stouter than the sedan's. We credit that to the cushier ride. This is great, since we truly need the V90 to be incredible. It looks staggering (particularly in non–Cross Country dress), and the inside is perfectly planned and wrapped up. It's open and useful. Also, hell, we like wagons, notwithstanding when they're decorated.

Be that as it may, for $70,000, we need more than a cattle rustler cap. Truth be told, we don't need a cowhand cap by any stretch of the imagination, however you recognize what we mean.