10 Things You Need to Know About the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country Quarter Lake ・ Photo by Volvo

Volvo is a Swedish automaker. That is significant when it comes to the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country, because many of its features and benefits derive directly from Swedish design traditions and from the way that the climate and driving environment in Sweden places unique demands on a vehicle. Sweden is blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view) with long, cold winters, and the Swedish people embrace the opportunity to explore the outdoors in all conditions. Their vehicles, therefore, must be very capable in snow, ice and rain; they must provide an interior that is a sanctuary from the weather, and they must reflect the lifestyle and design aesthetic that owners love.

Here are 10 things to know about the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country.

1. It got the SPA treatment.

The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country rides on the same new Scalable Product Architecture that underlies the XC90 crossover, S90 sedan and V90 station wagon. The basics of the SPA Architecture include a double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Double-wishbone is a more capable system than the widely-used (and cheaper) MacPherson strut system. Volvo’s rear multi-link uses transverse leaf springs for greater lateral stability, or optional air suspension for the ultimate in response and handling. In addition to sophisticated suspension, SPA Architecture is also exceedingly rigid, which in turn contributes to a solid feeling on the road, and minimal distortion and torqueing in off-road conditions where level surfaces cannot be guaranteed.

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2. It's the latest in a 20-year line of Volvo Cross Country models.

The Cross Country versions of Volvo cars started out in 1997 with the V70 XC wagon, later renamed XC70 in its second generation (2000–2007). A third generation XC70 was produced from 2007–2016. Current Cross Country vehicles in the lineup include the V60 Cross Country wagon, V40 Cross Country wagon and the S60 Cross Country sedan. According to Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars, “Designing a Volvo Cross Country is not a styling exercise, a plastic job. It is based on honest capability.” With the arrival of the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country, the XC70 has been discontinued. All current Cross Country vehicles come with all-wheel drive, increased ground clearance, and exterior cladding, in addition to other features.

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3. It comes with standard mechanical all-wheel drive.

Each 2017 Volvo Cross Country comes equipped with standard all-wheel drive. Volvo’s modular AWD technology is a mechanical system with an “Active On Demand” feature where all four wheels are always engaged. When it is needed, torque can be instantly and automatically distributed to the rear wheels. Over the past 20 years, Volvo has continuously reduced the weight of the AWD system, improving efficiency in the process. The Swedish praise V90 Cross Country’s “framkomlighet.” That means “go anywhere,” no matter what the weather or road conditions might offer at the time. “This is an important part of our heritage and a clear reflection of who we are and where we come from,” according to Henrik Green, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Cars.

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4. Pirelli developed special tires just for the V90 Cross Country.

Volvo worked with tire manufacturer Pirelli to develop a unique, dedicated tire design for the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country. It's available for the standard 19-inch x 7.5-inch alloy wheels and optional 20-inch x 7.5-inch 10-spoke alloys. The tire specs (235/50R19 and 245/45R20) don’t tell the whole story. Volvo asked Pirelli for a more rounded tread profile than standard street tires for better off-road performance, and a softer compound than traditional off-road tires for a better ride on the road. The V90 tires will have “VOL” on their sidewalls after the size notation, indicating that they are Volvo-specific tires. These Pirelli tires will be available from the aftermarket, so V90 Cross Country owners will be able to replace worn or damaged tires without returning to the dealership.

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5. It can be equipped with Pilot Assist for semi-autonomous driving.

The road to fully autonomous driving must pass through the implementation of semi-autonomous features like Volvo’s Pilot Assist. The system in the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country brings a wide array of technologies to work on making driving safer and less stressful. At the heart of Pilot Assist is a camera and radar unit that scans the road ahead for preceding vehicles, lane markings, and speed limit signs. When activated, Pilot Assist maintains a set speed, moderated by a set following distance from the vehicle ahead. It also influences the steering system to help maintain the vehicle’s position in the lane. In conjunction with blind spot monitoring, lane departure intervention, and road departure mitigation, Pilot Assist helps the driver to stay in a safe position on the road with minimal effort.

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6. It can be like a concert hall with Bowers & Wilkens sound.

The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country can be ordered with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkens sound system that uses 1,400 watts of amplification to drive 19 speakers, strategically mounted throughout the cabin. B&W is a 50-year-old audio company that began business in Worthing, West Sussex, England. B&W pioneered the use of Kevlar in speaker cone construction, a major breakthrough that improved fidelity and durability. B&W is a leader in soundstaging, the reproduction of depth and sound location achieved with surround sound electronics. A special program in the B&W system for Volvo cars reproduces the acoustic properties of the Gothenburg Cathedral, a renowned concert venue in Volvo’s hometown. Achieving an equivalent level of sound quality in a home system would require over $15,000 worth of B&W electronics and speakers.

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7. It comes with Volvo Sensus Connect and a nine-inch touchscreen display.

The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country comes with standard Volvo Sensus Connect. The system uses a 9-inch touch screen display, and comes with a 6-month complimentary subscription to Sensus Connect services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard for smartphone integration, and the Sensus Connect system operates as a Wi-Fi hotspot to connect smartphones, laptops and tablets to the internet on the go. Sensus’s navigation features are easily accessible, and can be synced with smartphone destinations. With Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi connection available, Sensus Connect helps to integrate your digital life on the road and at home. Volvo On Call services further enhance the convenience of vehicle maintenance, emergency services, and navigation, while familiar swipe, pinch, and pull gestures on the big touch screen help simplify operation.

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8. If you add the Luxury Package, you'll never be roughing it when you’re off-road.

Even though the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country has rugged abilities to conquer off-road obstacles and less-than-ideal conditions, its “Scandinavian Sanctuary” interior coddles occupants with clean design and luxury features. Those standard features can be amplified by adding the optional ($4,500) Luxury Package, which includes comfort seats covered with ventilated Nappa leather, power-adjustable side support, cushion extension and backrest massage on the front seats, heated outboard rear seats, upgraded leather on the dashboard and door panels, a quad-zone electronic climate control system with a cooled glovebox, rear sun curtains, and a power-operated rear load cover. The Luxury Package also includes fully color coordinated sills and bumpers, so the off-road capable crossover vehicle doesn’t have to look like a high-contrast-clad warrior.

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9. Its T6 engine uses both a turbocharger and supercharger.

Volvo’s T6 powerplant is one of the rare stock engines that uses both a turbocharger and a supercharger to maximize performance and efficiency. The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6 engine displaces 1969 ccs (nearly 2.0 liters), and has an inline 4-cylinder design. The supercharger engages at low rpm for powerful starts, and then the turbocharger kicks in at higher rpm, generating boost from a turbine that turns using exhaust gases to compress the air entering the combustion chamber. Most engine designers choose between superchargers and turbochargers, doing their best to mitigate the downsides of each technology while maximizing their benefits. Volvo’s innovative supercharger/turbocharger combination strikes a balance between the two systems, working symbiotically to provide smooth performance and impressive efficiency.

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10. That’s real wood trim on the interior.

One of the unique interior features on the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country is the use of black-tinted walnut trim on the vehicle’s dashboard, center console, and doors. The real wood trim is treated in a satin, open pore finish. The black tinting allows the grain of the walnut wood to show through, but presents a more assertive, technical look than traditional stained or naked wood trim. The choice of real wood is a more involving and organic choice than a conventional piano black plastic trim, as can be found in many vehicles. Real wood conveys a tie to the outdoors, and is a hallmark of Scandinavian design, where honest materials and high levels of craftsmanship define the style.

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