--- title: "2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country Ices Sweden: 7 First Impressions" description: "Just the ticket for us wagon ho's." date: "2017-01-27" modified: "2017-01-27" authors: - name: "Lawrence Ulrich" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/lawrence-ulrich" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/7164/2017-volvo-v90-cross-country-ices-sweden-7-first-impressions" categories: - "Car Reviews" - "Volvo Reviews" - "Volvo V90" tags: - "luxury" - "sweden" - "V90 Cross Country" - "Volvo" - "Wagon" --- # 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country Ices Sweden: 7 First Impressions ![]() *\www.thedrive.com* Asking Volvo to defy the tsunami wave of SUVs, all by its Swedish self, is asking too much. But here in Åre, Sweden’s premier-yet-unpretentious skiing destination, the V90 Cross Country smacks my senses like a black-diamond powder run: Why would anyone want a Stepford-suburban SUV when they could be driving this elegant wagon instead? Leaving aside the question of American tastes, here are seven opening impressions of the 2017 Cross Country, scribbled *sans* mittens after my opening test drive, including drifting on frozen Lake Andsjön. And check back for a full Cross Country review next week. ## 1. The Cross Country doesn't dabble in trendy crossover tropes. Sure, there's some obligatory black-plastic body cladding, and a 2.3-inch lift in ride height versus the standard V90 wagon. But the Cross Country emerges as a proud, almost spectacularly lovely wagon, even if Volvo's cocoon is no longer square. ## 2. The wagon plays the S90 sedan's Greatest Hits. There's no reason to mess with the things that made the S90 a critical and design smash. That includes the staunch SPA modular platform, creamy and sophisticated road manners, and a luxury interior as airy and refreshing as an icy Nordic plunge. Even sharp-eyed fans will struggle to find telltale interior differences between sedan and wagon, so here are two: Handsome “Pearl Stitching” alternates thicker and thinner stitches on the Cross Country’s seats. And slabs of dark, near-ebony walnut trim replace the sedan's lighter “Linear Walnut.” ## 3. Four Score. The Cross Country sees Volvo sticking with its pledge: Four cylinders or nothing. A 2.0-liter four whose tag team of supercharging and turbocharging produce 316 horsepower is the only propulsion offered for now. As with many four-bangers, the exhaust note is "meh." But it's still good for a 5.7-second sprint from 0-60 mph, so we're not wringing our hands. ![message-editor%2F1485471350767-20170126\_014402.jpg]() ## 4. Hybrid, schmibrid. At least for this car. Volvo is mum for now on whether the Cross Country will offer the 400-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain of the XC90 T8 SUV. But if they do, trust us: The modest mileage and performance gains won’t be worth the roughly $15,000 upcharge. ## 5. Cargo space is a mixed bag, or maybe two different-sized bags. The Volvo's rear-sloping roof and dramatically forward-raked hatch glass are among its most visually appealing features, but they limit cargo space behind the second row to a modest 19.7 cubic feet; a Honda CR-V nearly doubles its luggage space with 39.2 cubes. Fold those second-row seats, and the official 53.9 cubic feet of total cargo area seems deceivingly low. The actual space is wide and long enough for a serious IKEA shopping spree. ## 6. Let your wagon freak flag fly. Conformists and other unimaginative types will already scratch their heads over your choice in automotive body styles. So you might as well go full *Revenge of the Nerds*, and slap on a rooftop cargo box, designed by Volvo to mirror the wagon's streamlined shape. I did a double take when I saw a Cross Country so equipped, with an [aluminum-trimmed box]() that's LED illuminated, mounts in a one-handed operation, and looks miles better than the usual cheap plastic coffin. ## 7. Ask, and ye shall receive. You likely won’t see the standard V90 wagon -- minus the Cross Country treatment -- in Volvo showrooms. But Americans can still get one, by special order through a dealer or via Volvo's overseas delivery program. Since the Cross Country starts from $56,205 beginning in March, bargain hunters can wait for summer and the V90. That Volvo will offer front-wheel-drive and a 240-horsepower turbo four in base trim. For fans who want a more-attainable wagon (with a lower, conventional-car ride height), or have no need for AWD, the V90 should shave several thousand dollars off the Cross Country's lofty base price. ## Author Born and forged in the Motor City, now a Brooklynite, Lawrence is the former chief auto critic at the *New York Times* and *Detroit Free Press*. His award-winning work has appeared in *Automobile*, *Road & Track*, *Fortune*, *Conde Nast Portfolio*, *Men's Journal*, *Popular Science* and others. ### Author social links [Twitter]()