Hypes: Superlative Fit and Finish, Exceptionally Quick
Gripes: Volvo Operating System Can Be Intimidating

Car model differentiation is getting so complicated that the official handle for this Volvo sounds more like a eulogy than a description. But let’s try and decode the official title word by word. “XC” refers to the fact that this model is a sports utility Volvo. “60″ describes its position on the Volvo ladder, with 60 on a lower rung than 90. “T8″ refers to the fact that the supercharged and turbocharged 4 cylinder engine is augmented by an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery good for 400hp. “E-AWD” indicates that this Volvo is a Plug-In Hybrid (“E”) that also boasts all-wheel-drive. So there you have all the attributes of this latest Volvo, which carries a base price of $52,900. However, the version we drove supplements that bottom line with enough expensive extras ( $17,695) to buy you a base model XC60 Volvo plus a new Rolex Daytona.

If you haven’t driven a Volvo recently, you need to attend Volvo school first. Pretty much everything you know about operating a conventional car needs to be discarded before you earn your Swedish driving permit. For example, that Orrefors crystal ice cube jutting up from the console between the front seats actually operates the shift mechanism for the Japanese built 8-speed Aisin automatic. For some reason, Volvo engineers have decreed that you can’t just move the cube into forward or reverse with one stroke. Rather you have to bump the stick twice in the intended direction of travel or the Volvo won’t budge. The wiper controls demand a similar idiosyncratic pattern of operation that can be difficult to decode. If you miss the memo, you are consigned to watching the blades arc endlessly to and fro long after the rain has stopped. Most driving and climate functions are controlled through a 9″ x 4.5″ Sensus touchscreen that demands familiarization.

Ah, but once you have your PhD in Volvology, you will fall in love with this gorgeous SUV. From a sporting driver’s perspective, the Hybrid XC60 is intoxicatingly quick. Blame 472 lb.-ft. of torque for orchestrating massive bursts of acceleration. With that much torque on tap, you never need to manipulate the Aisin gearbox manually – although you could do so by selecting the available “B” gate on the console. From a knurled chrome drive-mode adjuster located just behind the shifter, you can chose one of 5 imaginatively named drive settings: AWD (all-wheel-drive), Pure (eco-drive), Hybrid (everyday use), Power (sporty driving), and Off-road (rough road). In order to savor the ample combined output of the 313hp direct injected gas motor augmented by the 87hp electric motor, I invariably chose Power mode. Once, when traversing some rough off-road terrain in a gravel parking lot, I deselected Power mode in favor of Off road, but could discern no difference in ride quality or suspension behavior. Although most sport mode menus tighten steering feedback, choosing Power mode on the XC60 had no noticeable effect on steering response, which remained over-boosted and numb in all modes. But with Continental Cross Sport LX tires (255/45R20) mounted at each corner, the XC60 is unexpectedly responsive in the handling department.

Of all the add-on packages inflating the bottom line of this Volvo, the one you would least want to eliminate is “Inscription.” For $3,800, this grouping adds bright chrome front grill bars, chrome side trim with logotype, integrated tailpipes with body colored lower trim insert, mechanical driver and passenger seat extensions, driftwood decor dash inlays, tailored dashboard, keyless entry with hands-free tailgate opening, Sensus navigation pro, cooled glove compartment and illuminated door handles. The exterior touches turn an already good looking vehicle into a supreme visual asset. the interior improvements elevate the cockpit of the XC60 to palatial refinement. Especially nice were the driftwood dash inserts, the deft stitching on the dash, and the incised “Inscription” notations on the front seat headrests. Even the chrome strip next to the glove box is incised with a replica of the Swedish flag.

Blue and yellow flag tags are attached to the Nappa leather of the front seat seams because our test XC60 was fitted with the $3,000 optional Luxury Seat Package. That price tag also adds backrest massage to the front chairs. power seat extensions up front, and heated seats all around plus heated steering wheel. Volvo is the only company I have encountered with a pleasant 3 level heating element for the steering wheel. So if you want to turn the ultimate automotive parlor trick, order your XC60 with the Luxury Seat Package, then activate the massage feature without first warning your front seat passenger.

2018 Volvo XC60 T8 E-AWD Inscription

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, turbo and supercharged direct injection, with electric motor and 10.4 kWh high voltage battery
• Horsepower: 400hp
• Torque: 472lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: N/A
• Price as Tested: $71,590
• Star Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars

Hypes: Orrefors Crystal Shift Knob
Gripes: Overly Complex GUI

Do you fear the future? Or do you embrace it? Current Volvo TV advertising claims you’re either fearful or welcoming. If you fear the future you’ll need to find another ride, because the S90 has been designed for those who “embrace the future.” At its lowest common denominator, this Volvo functions well as a simple car. Without much of a learning curve, you can slip into it, start the motor, engage Drive, and set off on your journey without giving a second thought to all its inbred complexities. But if you need to change any setting – from heat to ventilation to fan to a million other tasks – you’ll need a riding mechanic in the passenger seat to get the job done. Because Volvo’s graphic user interface is so demanding of your attention and time, that you will barely be able to keep your eyes on the road. The buried menu operation of the S90′s ancillaries is so distracting it makes texting while driving seem like child’s play. Fully engaged operation of the S90 demands more of your attention than a squirming two year old in the back seat. In fact, you’d be overjoyed if the S90 would just drive itself.

Indeed, Volvo is part way there already. They have equipped this sedan with an unsurpassed array of automated functions designed to replace you with an android. In the “Safety and Security” department Volvo includes “Collision Avoidance by City Safety,” which detects the following: “Vehicle/Pedestrian/ Cyclist/Large Animal.” Of course, there’s also “Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert and Auto Dimming Mirrors, Run-Off Road Protection and Run-Off Road Mitigation, Lane Keeping Aid, and Road Sign Information.” If all that isn’t enough to keep you informed and alert, Volvo also adds a self driving tool called “Pilot Assist – Semi-Autonomous Drive System.” You engage this by simply sliding a thumb switch on the steering wheel spoke. Presumably, semi-autonomous drive mode will cut you enough slack to deal with all those demanding icons displayed on the “Integrated 9 inch Touchscreen with Navigation.” The S90 comes with every safety aid short of a guy from IKEA to help you assemble furniture. And never doubt that, according to Volvo wisdom, “The Future is for the unafraid.”

Should you decide, as per my introductory suggestion, to just drive the S90 as the simple tool it really is, you will be rewarded with a very pleasurable experience. There’s a small badge on the trunk lid that proclaims this Volvo is equipped with a “Twin Engine.” Indeed, this Hybrid offers the usual combination of gas engine and electric motor which combine to produce a prodigious thump when you floor the throttle. There’s a resounding 472 foot-pounds of torque available to propel this Swedish track star of a limousine. The immediate issuance of torque from the 87hp electric motor is rapidly boosted by the gas engine’s 2.0 liter supercharged and turbocharged four cylinder motor to produce a combined output of 400hp. In other words, this Volvo is stinking fast, propelled through its 8 forward gears with an alacrity that will surprise even the most jaundiced sports sedan driver. And for the environmentally conscious, this Hybrid is a plug-in. With its exceptionally long wheelbase (116″), the S90 will never qualify as a true sports sedan. Though its curb weight of 4,085 pounds takes a bit of horsing to control, the S90′s moves on back roads are convincingly sure-footed thanks to meaty radials (Pirelli P Zero- 245/40R19) and a suspension system controllable from the Driver-Mode switch on the center console. We tended to favor the “Power” setting which stiffens steering response while quickening throttle reaction.

The Inscription Features which add $4,500 to the bottom line, are well worth the extra cost because they confer a level of exceptional performance and beauty to the base S90.

You will get daytime driving lights (DRL) that Volvo actually calls “Thor’s Hammer.” Better yet, these lights become active bending lights at night, illuminating curves even before you turn the wheel. The cabin of the Inscription is festooned with therapeutically lovely “Linear Walnut Wood Inlays,” the upper dash and door panels are cosmetically tailored with contrast stitching, and front and rear seats are treated to buttery Nappa leather that even covers the color-coordinated key fob.

The 2018 S90, while designed in Sweden, is constructed entirely in Daqing, China, with its transmission imported from Japan. Chinese workmanship on the S90 is impeccable. If you’re in the market for a limousine-sized luxury sedan replete with all the icons the future demands, then check out the new all-wheel-drive Hybrid S90.

2018 Volvo S90 T8 E-AWD Inscription

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, turbocharged and supercharged, plus Electric Motor
• Horsepower: 400hp
• Torque: 472lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: N/A
• Price as Tested: $82,140
• Star Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars

Hypes: Sensuous Looks, Primo Finish, Good Performance
Gripes: Sensus Is Not Consensual

Your first and lasting impression of the V90 is one of surpassing beauty. Its restrained styling provides more wow factor than the overwrought exercises coming out of Cadillac, BMW or Mercedes Benz these days. If you are looking for a station wagon with all wheel drive, sculpted in consummate good taste, stop by your Volvo dealer for a close look at the 2018 V90. We spent a week cosseted inside the top line trim version of the V90 called the Inscription. In keeping with this wagon’s understated good looks, the “Inscription” nameplate appears in just two places on this vehicle: a pair of chrome identifiers located almost out of sight on the lower front rocker panels.

Inside, the V90 is exquisitely tailored. This wagon’s show car interior belies its base price of $57,950. The first element that catches your eyes when stepping aboard is the illuminated threshold plate, done in matte aluminum with backlit “Volvo” lettering. Slide into the French vanilla leather front seats and enjoy 10 way power adjustability and 3 stage heating. Savor the medley of linear walnut wood inlays defining all dash and door panels. Slide open the enormous laminated panoramic moonroof to convert the interior to convertible airiness. The V90 interior is a destination second home you always leave with some regret.

But this Volvo also scores points as a fun car to drive. Under the wind cheating snout of our Maple Brown Metallic tester was a highly tweaked 4 cylinder motor displacing just 2.0 liters. This relatively small engine leaves lots of room for people packaging in a car with an extravagant 111 inch wheelbase and a total length of 191 inches. Volvo turbocharges and supercharges this motor to produce 316hp and 295lb.-ft. of torque. Because the torque peak arrives at just 2200rpm, you’re almost always guaranteed immediate response from this B4204T27 engine, which averages 25MPG in all driving.

Helping keep the economical four banger on full boil is an 8-speed automatic transmission with enough ratios to insure immediate response to any acceleration request. Volvo labels this sweet shifter “Geartronic” and equips it with am manual operation gate that allows you to select and hold your ratio of choice. Unfortunately, the Inscription model does not provide steering wheel mounted paddles to accomplish this task. However, if you seek such paddles, the otherwise less lavishly equipped V90 “R” offers them as standard fare.

Volvo does not stint on the V90′s suspension of tire choice. Although this wagon weighs in at more than 2 tons (4,170 pounds), it never feels ponderous, even on back roads. That’s because you can dial in the steering feedback and suspension behavior you desire by choosing a “Drive Mode Setting” from the four menu choices available: Eco/Comfort/Dynamic/Individual. Before each drive, I generally opted for Dynamic. Eco or Comfort tighten up at freeway speed, but provide way too much power steering boost at lower speeds. In any case, the Pirelli P Zero radials (255/35R20), mounted on Inscription specific 8 spoke alloy rims, never lose grip or traction on dry pavement.

If the V90 has a weak point, it lies in the design and logic of the “Sensus Connect” system which regulates virtually all functions of this car through a 9 inch touchscreen/navigation unit centrally located on the dash. Figuring out how to operate this video screen is like searching for something specific at Ikea – you have to wade through the whole store before finding what you need. And just like Ikea’s bewildering maze of pathways, Sensus acts like a funhouse mirror. You’re never sure where you are, where you’re going, or where you’ve been. Ironically, for a company long celebrated for promoting safety in driving, this confusion causes inattention while driving. We even visited our local Volvo dealer for some help with Sensus and were instructed to issue voice commands when needed. We tried this repeatedly, but every time we wanted to raise or lower the interior temperature, the voice genie responded with help for the radio.

If Volvo ever decides to equip the V90 with good old fashioned buttons for control of the HVAC system, this wagon will merit unanimous praise. But until that time, the V90, lovely and comfortable as it is, merits a triple, not a home run.

2018 Volvo V90 T6 AWD Inscription

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, Direct Injection, Super & Turbo-Charged
• Horsepower: 316hp@5700rpm
• Torque: 295lb.-ft.@2200rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 22MPG City/31MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $69,340
• Star Rating: 8.5 out of 10 Stars

Hypes: Best Headlights Ever, Massage Front Seats
Gripes: iPad Style Control Panel

I spent more time driving this Volvo than normal because the XC90 arrived the same week the Indycar finale played itself out at Sonoma Raceway. So I commuted between home and the race track for three days in a row, and also spent a fair amount of down time between sessions inside the Volvo’s beautifully appointed, spacious cabin. You couldn’t ask for a more comfortable SUV than this particular Volvo.

But you have to be willing to take the big plunge on option packages to duplicate the model I enjoyed. While the XC90′s base price is reasonable ($54,050), Volvo slathered the sticker with enough options ($19,045) to buy a another car. Honda’s Fit, for example retails for as little as $16,090. Here’s the breakdown of optional equipment on the test XC90: Inscription Features ($5,100), Convenience Package ($1,950), Luxury Package ($3,150), Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound ($3,200), Air Suspension ($1,800), Tailored Dash ($1,000), plus 5 other dingers costing under a grand apiece. Let’s assess the importance of each optional contribution.

The most beneficial elements among the Inscription Features are “Active Bending Lights,” LED lasers powerful enough to ferret out deer hiding in the woods at night. If this Volvo doesn’t have the best night beams in the universe, than nothing does. Inscription also provides heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, handsomely set off by matte walnut inlays on the dash face, center console and door panels . The Convenience Package contributes a 360 degree camera system and Park Assist front and rear. The Luxury Package is worth its steep price because it includes backrest massagers for both front seats that provided much needed therapy after long days hoofing around Sonoma Raceway.

My initial appreciation of the XC90 was rather tepid thanks to Volvo’s unnecessarily complicated “Sensus Connect” protocol that channels virtually every control command through a series of menus illuminated on a 9 inch touchscreen on the dash. Need to change the temperature? Better bring up the correct screen for your side of the vehicle. Need to change the fan setting? Ditto. And so on and so forth, through the endless series of finger manipulations required to get this Volvo to do what you want it to do. The whole process is needlessly complicated and annoying, and at the very least, Volvo should install hard buttons for critical commands like the fan and temp settings.

After a couple of days frustration, I sort of got the hang of the Sensus Connect system. You should be aware, however, that the “Complimentary 6 Month/3GB Subscription” to the Sensus WiFi Hot-Spot will cost you $10/month to renew or $20/month for unlimited data usage. 2018 Volvos now provide Apple CarPlay/Android Auto without the additional charge that characterized previous Volvo policy. The Bowers and Wilkins stereo unit makes a sharp contribution not only to your ringing ears, but also your eyes, since all the speaker mounting plates are fabricated from matte aluminum and deftly inscribed with the Bowers and Wilkins logo. Combined with the contrasting stitching of the “Tailored Dash,” the interior of the Inscription Volvo is a real showplace.

From a driver’s standpoint, however, the XC90 leaves something to be desired. Clearly Volvo didn’t lavish any visual attention on the engine compartment, which is covered with a funereal flat black plastic shroud. There is nothing to alert you to the fact that this is a milestone engine design, with both turbocharging and supercharging working in consort to produce 316hp from just 2.0 liters of 4 cylinder motor. Coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox unfortunately devoid of paddle shifts, the XC90′s power train is hard pressed to motivate this 4,595 pound SUV with alacrity. Each one of those 316 ponies is tasked with moving 14.5 pounds, not a scintillating power-to-weight ratio. The shortfall shows up when you need to make a speedy lane change on the freeway, or initiate a pass on a two-lane back road. However, the XC90 does acquit itself well in handling tasks thanks largely to optional air suspension at all 4 corners and massive 275/40R21 Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires mounted on $800 optional 21″ 8-spoke Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels.

2018 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD Inscription

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, Direct Injection, Super and Turbocharged
• Horsepower: 316@5700rpm
• Torque: 295lb.-ft.@2200rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 20MPG City/27MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $74,090
• Star Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars

Hypes: Plush and Luscious Interior
Gripes: Needs Paddle Shifts, Jerky Gearbox Shifts

Volvo’s nomenclature can seem mysterious to the uninitiated. Our rather deliciously appointed test car this week is the wagon (“V”) version of the all-new “90″ series model line. This 90 model line replaces the aging 70 and 80 series cars from Volvo. Volvo also offers its 90 as an “S” (sedan) version and as an “XC” (SUV) type. “Cross Country” describes our test wagon’s level of trim, while “AWD” refers to our test car’s all-wheel-drive system. The V90 is also available in rear wheel drive trim. Volvo began importing the S90 last year, and the V90 completes the company’s move to the new model range.

As a top drawer offering, the V90 Cross Country AWD carries a base price of $55,300. Our test sample upped the ante with a Convenience Package which added $1,950 to the bottom line for “Heated Washer Nozzles, Park Assist Pilot, and 360 Degree Surround View Camera.” A Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound System boosted the price by a whopping $3,200. Graphical Head Up Display added another $900, Osmium Gray Metallic Paint contributed $595 to the final tally, and another $1,200 went for “Premium Air Suspension in rear.” Final out-the-door cost for this metallic grey Volvo totaled a tidy $64,640.

Is it worth that much money? As a driving experience, probably not. As a living room environment, definitely yes. Volvo recently announced that in the near future, all their new products would either be electric or hybrid powered. The latest V90 we drove, however, is neither. Rather it utilizes a very small displacement (2.0 liter) four cylinder engine which has been tweaked with both turbocharging and supercharging to produce 316hp and 295lb.-ft. of torque. The fuel efficiency of this motor is remarkable, with an overall EPA MPG figure of 25.

Although the engine produces peak torque at just 2200rpm, you really have to twist it to gain maximum horsepower at 5700rpm. In everyday terms, the 2.0 direct injected motor launches with a boot, then hesitates to follow through until the revs rise above 5000rpm. Even though it’s coupled to an 8-speed automatic, the Geartronic transmission stumbles while selecting the appropriate ratio for maximum acceleration. A lack of paddle shifts exacerbates the problem.

The net effect is that this combination makes passing with authority on two lane roads something of a crapshoot. You have to time your move with precision. On the other hand, the upside of this sophisticated engine is its ethereal soundtrack. The turbo kicks in with a base note while the supercharger contributes its soprano whine. For the record, the V90 is also available with a hybrid drive unit that will undoubtedly overcome the hesitancy of the gas-only engine we tested. The optional hybrid is good for 400hp. In the handling department, this beefy, 4,220 pound Volvo offers moderate understeer coupled with decent traction from its Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires (235/50R19) mounted on standard 19 inch alloy rims. For better cornering performance, you can select the “Dynamic” handling option from the 4-item menu of adjustable “Drive-mode” settings.

Drivers not centrally focused on ultimate performance, however, will not be phased in the least by the big Volvo’s slight acceleration or handling shortcomings. That’s because the V90 Cross Country is so regally appointed and handsomely finished. The interior is really a Swedish work of art. The seating surfaces are not only exceptionally comfortable, but exquisitely tailored in Cross Country specific crackle grained mocha hides. The central dash pillar contains a 9″ “Sensus” touchscreen which controls virtually all infotainment and HVAC controls. This screen illuminates with startling clarity, but can be difficult to manipulate when fingerprints build up on its surface. Virtual instruments fill the dash behind the steering wheel, and, as with the latest Audis, a Google Earth type map spans the distance between the tachometer and the speedometer.

The most incredible aspect of the V90′s interior is neither its 10-way adjustable seats, nor its Sensus interface, nor its cabin length smoked glass moonroof. Rather, its signature item is that expensive, but worth-every-penny, Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound system. When you chose “Concert Hall” mode from among its three settings, prepare yourself for the listening adventure of a lifetime. In conjunction with the virtually unlimited musical offerings from Sirius radio, this mega system will have your tympanic membranes flapping with such vehemence that you’ll want to take up permanent residence in your V90 Volvo.

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6 AWD

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, direct injection, supercharged and turbocharged
• Horsepower: 316 @ 5700rpm
• Torque: 295lb.-ft. @ 2200rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 22MPG City/30 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $64,640
• Star Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: Palatial Interior, Great Back Seat
Gripes: Printed Owner’s Manual Not Provided; Perplexing Graphic User Interface

This all new Volvo sedan combines scintillating detail design with enough maddening driving nannies to staff a child care center. Let’s start with the S90′s positives first. Even the most cursory inspection of this Volvo leads to the inescapable conclusion that it is a work of art deserving of inclusion in a museum retrospective of Swedish design. From the outside, the S90′s clean lines and exceptional lighting treatments front and rear set it apart from anything else on the road. Volvo designers have endowed the grill with a ripe and luscious mouth, described as a “matte silver waterfall with a chrome frame.” If one car could define the word sleek, it would be this chic Volvo sedan.

But stylish as the exterior may be, it plays second fiddle to the sumptuous interior. The cockpit of the new S90 Inscription looks more like the latest living room ensemble from IKEA than a car interior. The cream colored seats, with perforated Nappa soft leather surfaces, invite close examination. Note the breathable perforations, the neatly tailored piping, and the standard inclusion of heating and ventilation systems. The rear compartment is equally alluring, with enough legroom to assuage a basketball pro. Although the rear side windows are big enough to survey the countryside, they can be configured to hide your presence thanks to manually operated “sun curtains.”

The $3,300 “Inscription Features” include “Linear Walnut Wood Inlays” that are stunning in their matte simplicity. They cover the central console, the passenger quadrant of the dash, and all upper interior door surfaces. These unvarnished swatches of wood comprise but a small part of the Inscription bounty. You’ll also appreciate the self-cleaning LED headlights whose beams bend with the direction of travel. The upper sections of the dash and lower sections of the door panels are leather upholstered. The already plush front seats benefit from inscription grade tweaks like power side bolsters, power under-thigh extension bolsters, and the subtle inscription of the word “Inscription” on the headrests. If you can’t get comfortable in this Volvo, you can’t get comfortable, period. Finally, the list of Inscription Features concludes with 19 inch diamond cut alloy rims. On our test vehicle, Volvo upped the contact patch by equipping it with a $750 set of 20 inch model-specific alloys shod with premium Pirelli rubber (255/35R20 P Zero).

A brand new 8 speed gearbox makes its Volvo sedan debut, providing smooth propulsion for the T6′s 2.0 liter engine. Thanks to turbo-charging and super-charging, the direct fuel injection engine, which is mounted sideways under the hood, produces 316hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. While the horsepower peak takes a bit of sprinting to achieve at 5600rpm, the torque flow maxes at just 2200rpm. Make no mistake, this Volvo is quick enough in a straight line to beat almost any of the German or British competition in the traffic light grand prix. The addition of all-wheel-drive makes the P Zero tires work even harder to gain traction at both ends of the car. Even when you push this admittedly heavy (4,220 pound) Volvo hard, it responds with predictable grip and commendable precision. The center console contains a rotating drive-mode selector, fetchingly done in knurled silver, that allows you to alter the car’s responses from lethargic (Eco) to alert (Normal) to spirited (Sport). But you must reassign your preference every time you restart the S90. With a ride this sportingly inclined, the absence of paddle shifts is a surprising omission.

At the outset, we mentioned Volvo’s preoccupation with safety measures that detract from the pleasure of driving. Here’s a brief list of the nannies that will drive you nuts if you fail to stifle them: low speed collision avoidance system; pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection system; run-off-road protection and run-off mitigation system; road sign information; lane departure warning and driver alert control. If you chose to drive with all these systems active, the S90 transforms itself from a pleasure module into a beeping, dash illuminating warning system that will reduce you to a bundle of over-wrought nerve endings inside ten miles. Turn most or all of these nannies off, and the S90 instantly reverts to being the slickest sedan Sweden has ever built.

2017 Volvo S90 T6 AWD Inscription

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, direct injection, turbocharged and supercharged
• Horsepower: 316hp @ 5700rpm
• Torque: 296lb.-ft.@2200rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 22 MPG City/31 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $66,105
• Star Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: Beautifully Crafted, Ultra Comfortable Interior
Gripes: Unwieldy Suspension, Poorly Indexed Owner’s Manual

When Geely, the Indian automaker, took Volvo off Ford’s hands several years ago, many fans of the Swedish marque wondered what the future might hold in store for this revered, safety conscious label. Well, the future is here now in the form of the Volvo Inscription S60, a special lengthened version of the S60 sedan. At 185.6 inches in length, it stands 3.5 inches longer than the base model S60 four door. The Inscription is the first Volvo built in Chengdu, China, of parts that are 60 percent Chinese and 10 percent Japanese. This luxurious and expensive ($45,925) sedan carries a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine also built in China. Its 8-speed automatic transmission comes from Japan. In view of this disparate sourcing of parts, just how much Volvo DNA remains? Thankfully, quite a bit.

For starters, the Inscription has so many available safety features that its Swedish reputation for precaution remains strong. For example, “City Safety” – a low speed collision avoidance system – is standard issue on this car. Even the engine cover is made of dense, pliable foam. If you order the “Platinum” group of accessories ($3,000 extra), Volvo includes a “Technology Package” which provides collision warning with full auto brake, as well as pedestrian/cyclist detection with full auto brake. In a world replete with drivers more intent on reading their handheld devices than the road ahead, these safety features greatly improve your chances of accident avoidance.

Some of the other features of the Platinum group, however, are more annoying than useful. For example, the Lane Keeping Aid is helpful in the sense that warning lights on your exterior rearview mirrors illuminate when hidden traffic pulls alongside. But the same system goes overboard when you change lanes without using your blinker, something I prefer to do with no traffic nearby. Under these circumstances, the Volvo’s steering goes artificially light and the steering wheel itself wobbles gently in your palms. The feedback is similar to having your front tires aquaplane in heavy rain. It’s completely distracting and unnecessary, and thankfully Volvo provides a switch to delete this lane change punishment.

Although Volvo offers a number of more powerful engines in the S60 range (250hp inline 5, 302hp turbo inline 4, 345hp turbo inline 6), our test Inscription made do with the adequate but unexciting 2.0 liter turbo inline 4, which returns the best fuel consumption of the bunch at 29 MPG overall. The 8 speed gearbox compensates nicely for the underwhelming output of the 240hp motor by allowing you to stage your passing needs by selecting an appropriate gear before stomping the accelerator. You’ll need to plan ahead with this package for your acceleration requirements, because the engine must spool to 5600rpm for maximum thrust. Luckily, the 3,610 lb. sedan makes peak torque of 258lb.-ft. at just 1500rpm, so launch from a dead stop is decent. Volvo has incorporated an automatic start/stop system, ostensibly to save fuel while idling at traffic lights. This device shakes the whole car every time it re-fires the ignition. Although you can delete it, you have to do so every time you re-start the Volvo. It’s a design that should never have made production.

Inside the cabin, the Inscription will win over drivers accustomed to Audi/BMW levels of design simplicity and sophistication. The front seats are heated, but if you want heated rears plus a toasty steering wheel, you’ll need to pop $1,300 extra for the “Climate Package.” Lavish expanses of matte finished, open pore barn wood lend a country inn felicity to the Inscription’s interior environment. Glass area is immense, a bonus that leads to excellent vision in all directions. Such niceties as Park Assist and rain-sensing wipers come standard. The Platinum group includes a nifty grocery bag holder which flips up from the trunk floor to act as an anti-slide partition. I used it to keep a storage box from roaming the trunk on a twisty section of road.

Speaking of the twisties, the S60 is not particularly well acclimated to such driving usage. Granted, it rolls on 18 inch alloy rims bearing 235/45R18 Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires that uphold their end of the contact patch bargain. But the S60′s suspension is calibrated for comfort over handling, so the Inscription tends to bottom its shocks over mild depressions. Push it hard enough and the suspension hikes itself into the air as you try to make quick transitions on a curvy road. This Volvo offers a great freeway ride, but you won’t be blowing off any BMWs or Audis on the back roads.

2016 Volvo S60 T5 Inscription FWD

• Engine: 2.0 liter inline 4, turbocharged, direct injected
• Horsepower: 240hp@5600rpm
• Torque: 258lb.-ft.@1500-4500rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 25MPG City/37 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $45,925
• Star Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: Handsome, Useful and Fun to Drive
Gripes: Tight Rear Seat

Volvo’s Polestar Program is such a well kept secret that the company provides each new purchaser with a presentation kit explaining the virtues of this hottest Volvo you can buy. Polestar is Volvo’s racing arm, an outfit that has won the Swedish Touring Car Championship for many years running. Here’s a brief list of the V60’s many special attributes. Under the hood lies a tweaked 3.0 liter V6 that produces 325hp, 25hp more than the standard V6. This motor also makes 354lb.-ft. of torque, 29 pounds more than the standard B6304T4 engine. To handle the extra power, the V60 station wagon version of the S60 sedan drives through all four wheels with a highly evolved system using torque vectoring to disseminate power where needed. Although Volvo has introduced a new 8 speed automatic gearbox for 2015, it is available only with 4 cylinder versions of this wagon. Thanks to the ample torque of the turbocharged 6, the Polestar doesn’t need the extra gears provided by the 8-speed. Rather, it connects through a 6 speed Geartronic automatic that provides manual shifting with aluminum paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The combination of the quick boost provided by the twin scroll turbo, and the instant gear selection afforded by the paddle shift automatic make this V60 the fastest accelerating Volvo I have ever driven.

The beauty of the Polestar package lies in the fact that the suspension is perfectly calibrated to enhance the performance of the drive train. Volvo’s sport chassis provides an authoritative sense of control. The ride is firm but never punishing. Especially welcome are the top notch set of Bridgestone Potenza S001 tires (235/40R19) mounted on matte black “IXION” rims ($750 extra) that look like Cuisineart blades. Exterior flourishes are handsomely integrated into the sleek lines of this model. At the back, you’ll find a small Polestar identifier attached to the R-Design rear diffuser with polished tail pipes. The front fascia sports a more aggressive splitter and a discreet R-Design offset badge. Climb into the spacious cabin, and sink into special R-Design, race inspired front seats that offer accentuated thigh and lower back support. These carefully tailored buckets feature grey leather with contrasting white stitching. Matching R-Design shift knob and fat-rimmed steering wheel complete the high performance touches.

Although the Volvo’s interior cabin measures just 69 inches from the front seat backs to the tailgate, I was able to slip a mountain bike into this cavity without removing a wheel. Granted, it was a tight fit, but it does reveal just how much storage space is available in a car with a wheelbase of just 109 inches. Note, however, that seating for two on the rear bench is tight, especially if tall occupants have positioned the front seats far aft. When lifted, the rear storage area floor board reveals a large number of hidden compartments that would be perfect for secreting valuables. Underneath that sub floor you discover that the V60 has no spare tire, but does provide a sealant can and a tire inflator.

According to Motor Trend Magazine, Volvo is only bringing over 120 Polestar S60s and V60s for the rest of this model year. This adds a rarity quotient to an already highly desirable package. For the money, you can’t find a better sports wagon than the Polestar equipped V60. A Polestar information kit provided by Volvo suggests that you register your VIN number with the company as soon as you buy it. They will then provide a certificate indicating your wagon is equipped with “Polestar Power Optimisation,” a document that is “especially important when it’s time to sell your car, since a Polestar optimization is likely to increase the resale value.”

2015 Volvo V60 T6 R-Design

• Engine: 3.0 liter alloy V-6 with twin scroll turbo, CVVT and DOHC
• Horsepower: 325hp @5400rpm
• Torque: 354lb.-ft.@3000rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 19 MPG City/28 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $48,225
• Star Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: The safest SUV You Can Buy
Gripes: Useless Owner’s Manual, Sea of Dog Cage Bars

The XC60 is a mid-size sports utility crossover based on the S60 sedan. For 2015, it presents a cleaner face to the wind thanks to a more streamlined front fascia. In conjunction with this newly lowered snout, Volvo stylists have visually elevated the XC60′s tail. Decisive side creases underline the aggressive stance, making this Volvo look like it’s about to pounce on prey. The illusion is not unsupported, because a powerful and willing twin-scroll turbo straight 6 lies under the hood, ready to devour pavement with alacrity. The 3.0 liter engine produces 300hp and 325lb.-ft. of torque, with full torque infusion coming on line at just 2100rpm. Coupled to a 6-speed automatic with standard paddle shifts, the XC6 T6 jumps when prodded, despite its substantial 4,275lb. curb weight.

While Volvo’s all-wheel-drive system is not designed for serious off-road work (there’s no transfer case), it will insure splendid traction on all forms of pavement. Our test XC sported $1,000 optional 20 inch diameter “Titania” alloys which mounted premium Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires measuring 255/45R20 at each corner. Despite their enormous diameter, these rims, which replace standard 18 inch wheels, look surprisingly delicate thanks to their almost invisible rim bead connected to 10 wafer-thin double spokes. The overall visual effect is similar to that of a Mattel Hot Wheels dream toy.

The interior shares the exterior’s exciting visuals, with a two-tone seat leather treatment adding Swedish modern sophistication to the $900 optional Sport Seating surfaces. In fact, if you are a fan of Mid Century Modern design, you will love the simplistic integration of materials and surface treatments in the cabin. For example, the center stack, a design nightmare in so many other SUVs, is here cleanly arrayed, devoid of frills, and operationally sound, with all key HVAC and Entertainment system functions accessible through separate buttons rather than menu driven nonsense. Particularly nice is the standard issue “Laminated Power Roof with Power Sunshade. This oversize opening can be configured in any number of useful ways, ranging from tilting the front panel, to sliding the shade wide open over all interior seats.

Volvo equipped the cargo area of our sports utility with a dog kennel apparatus that made the interior seem more like a Swedish police cruiser than a family wagon. Vertical and horizontal metal bars (called a “Safety Grill”) not only segregated the rear compartment from the passenger area, but also created a structure (called a “Load Organizer and Dog Gate”) large enough to house a medium size pet. With its hydraulic lift door, the Load Organizer proved very handy for safe transport of fragile items. The downside to the array of black metal bars is poor rear vision, and a sepulchral feel to the interior.

The expensive “Platinum” option, which boosts sticker price by $4,400, brings several important safety measures into play. Perhaps the most significant is the Technology Package, which includes radar controlled cruise control, collision warning with full auto-brake, pedestrian/cyclist detection with full auto-brake, and Driver Alert Control, which prevents your Volvo from straying out of its lane. In addition, our XC60 also featured a $900 optional “Blind Spot Information System Package” (BLIS) which consisted of small warning lights on the A pillars next to the rear view mirrors that illuminated orange when traffic impinged in adjacent lanes. This proved useful without becoming intrusive. The BLIS package also includes front and rear park assist beepers.

Although the XC60 has plenty of straight line punch, its handling is a notch below comparable sports utilities like BMW’s X3 and new X4, or Porsche’s Macan. The Volvo’s main weakness is its lack of precise steering feedback. In fact, even the range of vertical adjustment for the wheel itself is too limited to allow a sporty driving position. The XC’s suspension is also complicit, with too much pitch on corners, combined with too harsh shock damping over potholes. This makes for a ride that is simultaneously pitchy yet jarring. A final irritation comes courtesy of the purported Owner’s Manual, which inexplicably contains no index references to such basics as instrument location and function, or even cruise control operation. Consequently, I could never figure out how to adjust my cruise control default speed without changing it in 5mph increments.

The incredible array of safety measure Volvo brings to bear on its XC60, however, more than compensate for these trivial glitches. In fact, I can’t think of a better vehicle in which to avoid or survive an accident than this Volvo, given its standard Auto-Stopping Technology and optional and reasonably priced BLIS Package.

2015 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

• Engine: 3.0 liter alloy, in-line 6 with CVVT and twin-scroll Turbo
• Horsepower: 300hp @ 5600rpm
• Torque: 325lb.-ft. @ 2100rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 17 MPG City/24 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $51,675
• Star Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars

By David Colman

Hypes: Hottest Hatch You Can Buy
Gripes: Hard to Access Rear Seat, Flimsy Trunk Cover

In a performance world adrift in a sea of ever wider tires, Volvo’s choice of petite 205/50R17 Michelin MXM4 rubber for its top performance hatchback, the R Design C30, seems inexplicable. Choosing such a modest width of 205mm front and rear would appear to hobble this Volvo before it ever gets out of the starting gate. Well, guess what? The handling and responsiveness of the R Design C30 puts most other front engine, front wheel drive hot hatchbacks to shame. Without question, this limited edition (250) Polestar-tweaked Volvo proves that you do not need a huge tire footprint to leave an indelible imprint in your memory bank. Great handling is all about balance, and this diminutive 4 seater has that asset in spades.

Polestar is the factory affiliated tuning department at Volvo, and for this very special model, they’ve dialed in the suspension of the already competent C30 by stiffening the chassis and firming up the suspension. The Polestar Limited Edition uses 17 inch STYX matte black alloys, and sports R Design front and rear roof spoilers. Handsome exterior cosmetic touches include matte aluminum grill surround and polished 3.5 inch dual exhaust tips. Inside, two-tone leather seating surfaces distinguish this special model, with light gray leather centers contrasting against black side bolsters. “R Design” monikers are embossed into the front headrests, sparkling blue watch dial instrument faces make the gauge cluster pop, and spiffy alloy sport pedals grab your rubber sole. The unique leather and alloy rimmed steering wheel sports an “R Design” badge on its lower rim, and a Polestar Limited Edition numbered plaque graces the dash (ours was 249/250).

On top of all these delectable cosmetic improvements, the best part of the Polestar package lies unseen, beneath the hood. Unlike so many hot hatchbacks in this price range, the C30 boasts an hydraulic hood strut instead of a chintzy manual prop rod. When you lift that sleek hood, you’re gazing at a substantially reworked inline 5 cylinder turbo engine, Although sharing the base C30’s 2.5 liter displacement, this one boosts horsepower from 227 to 236, and torque from 236 lb.-ft. to 273 lb.-ft. With its undersquare bore/stroke dimension of 83mm x 93mm, the Polestar-tweaked B5254T7 engine is a real torque monster, producing maximum output from throttle tip-in of 1,500rpm all the way to 5,000rpm. Although Volvo supplies 6 perfectly spaced ratios in its delightful manual gearbox, you hardly need more than one of them to keep this little tiger on full boil.

Compared to the hideous, overly complicated interior treatments common to most of today’s cars, the design ethos of the Volvo seems to be from another planet. There’s a wonderfully simplified center stack here, for example, which stresses utility, with its obvious knob placement for HVAC and radio controls. The symmetrical layout is clear, concise, and diametrically opposed to the ridiculous cell-phone dashboard emulations that have become so popular today. Volvo designers place a premium on safety, which begins with the sensible design of the cockpit. This is one company that will never be faulted for inciting distracted driving. But should you ever lose control of the C30, the safeguards Volvo has included will stand you in good stead. Standard are inflatable curtain side impact bags, front AND rear dual stage bags, and whiplash protection for both front seats.

Even with the addition of a $5,000 Platinum package that provides Navigation, Premium sound, SIRIUS radio, Power Moonroof and Dual Xenon headlights, the C30 R Design totals just $35,545. In a world full of Sofa City products, the C30 R is like taking a rejuvenating trip through the spa at IKEA.

2013 Volvo C30 T5 R Design

• Engine: 2.5 liter inline 5, Turbocharged with Continuous Variable Valve Timing and Intake
• Horsepower: 236 hp
• Torque: 273 lb.-ft.
• Fuel Consumption: 21 MPG City/29 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $35,545
• Star Rating: 9.5 out of 10 Stars