2017 Volvo V90: First Impressions
CARS.COM — Our editors praised the Volvo S90 luxury sedan flagship when it was introduced in January at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Compared to other flagships unveiled there, such as the Genesis G90 and Lincoln Continental, the Volvo stood out to us as unique in its style, not a copycat, and we loved it for that.
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Now, here at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, we’ve been treated to the 2017 Volvo V90, a wagon version of that lovely sedan. Believe me, treat is the right word.
Volvo is no stranger to wagons, having made some of the best in the business. And even with its new Chinese ownership, it’s staying true to its roots. From the outside, the V90 looks better than the S90, thanks to the extended roofline that visually lengthens the car, making it feel sleeker than the sedan. It’s one of the few cars out there that looks good from any angle, and it doesn’t take a bad photograph.
From the driver’s seat, there’s not much to let you know that the car is any different from the S90. The interior has the same gorgeous leather and wood patterns, and it features Volvo’s outstanding iPad-like multimedia system. There’s more to look at in the rearview mirror, of course, but interior space for passengers remains unchanged; it was good in the S90, and it’s still good in the V90. The cargo room is where things have improved. There’s enough space now to accommodate even a whole room’s worth of flat-packed shelving, if you take your Swedish luxury wagon on a cultural pilgrimage to your local IKEA. It’s an intriguing alternative to a luxury SUV, featuring all of the utility of a high-riding family truckster, but without the extra mass that so often negatively affects handling and ride. Of course, you don’t get the high-riding driving position, a big reason many people buy SUVs.
If you prefer your luxury sedans with a healthy dose of utility, the V90 is a uniquely excellent proposition. Given that other automakers are eschewing the big wagon in the U.S. in favor of more expensive luxury SUVs (the BMW 5-series wagon and Cadillac CTS wagon are long gone, and we don’t know if the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon will make the trip over), the V90 may soon be your only option.
