If you haven’t been paying attention, the company has a pretty solid Volvo SUV and wagon lineup. The Swedish automaker is serious about making over everything. Gone are boxy shapes and low-rent interior treatments.
Instead, Volvos now look sleeker and more athletic. Their cabins have a premium feel, but still with that Scandinavian minimalist design element. What’s more, modern Volvos are powerful, but they sip fuel. Yes, it’s a compelling set of offerings you should become familiar with. And no matter what you’re looking for, there’s probably a Volvo SUV or wagon for you.
This was the Volvo SUV that kicked off the new era. Before the second generation broke cover, most people didn’t take the talk of transformation seriously. Aside from the silky exterior, the Volvo XC90 interior has a panache you’re hard pressed to find in many Teutonic rivals. One of the warmest details is open-grain North American walnut veneers.
To show how serious Volvo is about quality, it uses a book-matched cutting process. An artisan cuts two veneers out of the same piece of wood, resulting in a symmetrical pattern. It’s the same method furniture artisans use for expensive custom pieces.
Volvo found a way to make the interior more spacious, without increasing the XC90’s footprint. Things like slimmer front seats mean passengers in the second and third rows won’t feel nearly as crushed as before. Just remember, it’s an SUV with third row seating, but this isn’t a Suburban.
The interior is nice, but this thing moves well enough, depending on the powertrain selected. T5 models have a turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder engine, which puts out a decent 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 adds a supercharger into the mix, boosting things to 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
If you go for the T8 models, you get a plug-in hybrid powertrain. That means running errands around town only using electricity, no gas.
Volvo offers its biggest wagon in two different forms. The regular V90 is elegant and sleek. Getting one in North America takes a little determination.
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The version promoted here is the V90 Cross Country. It features a higher ride height and bigger wheels, so you can pretend you like to be really active off the pavement. Just don’t try to take this wagon off-roading, because that won’t end well.
The interior closely matches what you get with the XC90, which definitely isn’t a bad thing. Of course, there’s only seating for five, on two rows. But you enjoy a spacious cargo area in the rear, perfect for Costco runs.
When it comes to powertrains, you get the T5 and T6 options, but no T8.
The XC60, the mid-size Volvo SUV, just got a complete makeover for its second generation. Its exterior appearance is just as striking as the XC90’s, if not even more.
The beauty continues into the cabin, with plenty of simple Swedish designs. You can add linear matte lime wood inlays, which looks kind of retro, but warms things up plenty. If you’re in the mood for something more sophisticated, choose dark grey aluminum inlays, which are supposed to look like iron ore. One of the most unique features are storage compartments hidden under the bottom cushions in the rear outboard seats. They’re big enough to stash a laptop or other valuables out of sight.
When it comes to engines, Volvo gives you great choices for the XC60. In fact, you can have the T5, T6, or T8 plug-in hybrid, just like on the XC90.
While it’s not ugly, the Volvo V60 sport wagon has yet to undergo the same makeover as the XC60. If the V90 is any indication, when it does, this midsize wagon will look striking.
That also means the interior is like what we’re used to getting from Volvo. In other words, it’s kind of nice, but you won’t be blown away. You can add milled aluminum inlays with a satin finish, which are a cool touch. The other interior features are things you’d expect.
The T5 engine in this wagon puts out 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. As for the T6, it produces 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. If you’re really feeling aggressive, a Polestar version boosts the T6 to 362 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque using a turbo and supercharger combo.
Fresh off its reveal, the XC40 is a completely new compact Volvo SUV. It has perhaps the most muscular exterior appearance in the lineup. Volvo included enough sophisticated details that it rivals Land Rovers in terms of attractiveness.
Just like any other Volvo SUV, this one has a premium, understated interior. The standard Urban Grid aluminum inlays are an unexpected yet cool and highly modern element. Other notable features include lower cushion extendibility for the front seats, something you don’t usually see in this segment. Under the driver’s seat is a hidden storage box, so you can stash valuables when parked.
For now, you can only get this SUV with the T5 engine, which is tuned to 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 will be coming out in 2018. An all-electric powertrain, a first for Volvo, will debut in 2019.
You can’t get the Volvo V40 in North America right now, but that will change once this little wagon undergoes a complete redesign. Expect something looking roughly like the XC40. The interior should be similar, too.
Volvo has confirmed that the T5 and T6 engines will be in the lineup. A plug-in hybrid will be in the mix, which will combine the T5 with an electric motor.
Look for the all-new V40 to debut soon, since it’s supposed to arrive sometime in 2018.
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