2018 Volvo V90

2018 Volvo V90 Overview

Is the 2018 Volvo V90 a Good Used Wagon?

The V90 is a decent used wagon. It has an upscale and a comfortable interior, but it falls short of rivals in some practical measures.

The 2018 V90 has some noteworthy positives:

• Energetic turbocharged engines
• Composed handling
• Attractive, well-built cabin
• Comfortable seats with enough room for adults in both rows
• Lots of standard features

But it also has some key negatives:

• Poor predicted reliability rating
• Less cargo space than many competitors
• Transmission doesn't deliver timely shifts

Why You Can Trust Us

Our Volvo V90 review includes far more than just one person's opinion. We collected professional evaluations from 16 sources and combined them with concrete data like fuel economy estimates, safety features, and performance specs to help you make an informed buying decision.

The U.S. News Best Cars team has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than a combined 75 years of automotive industry experience. To ensure our impartiality, we never accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside team handles the advertising on our site.

How Much Is the 2018 Volvo V90?

Based on listings for the 2018 Volvo V90 on our site, the average price is $50,000. Prices range from $43,500 to $58,000 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

How Much Does the 2018 Volvo V90 Cost to Own?

We don't currently have a projection for the 2018 V90’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance.

Is It Better to Buy a Used or New V90?

Volvo introduced the V90 for 2018. The 2019 V90 starts at $51,450 and sees only one notable change over the previous model: a new trim that adds distinctive styling elements. However, there were no added features. In other words, unless you wish to get the new trim, you can get a used V90 that’s nearly identical to the 2019 model, and you'll potentially save thousands of dollars.

Read about the new Volvo V90 »

Compare the 2018 and 2019 V90 »

See the Best New Car Deals »

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How Reliable Is the 2018 Volvo V90?

The 2018 Volvo V90 has a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Read more about V90 reliability »

2018 Volvo V90 Recalls

At the time of writing, there is one recall for the 2018 Volvo V90:

• GPS location may not be transmitted in the event of a crash

Before buying any used vehicle, make sure all recalls have been addressed.

See more information on Volvo V90 safety recalls »

Which Used Volvo V90 Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2018 Volvo V90 comes in three trims: R-Design, Inscription, and Cross Country. There are two available powertrains: T5 and T6. T5 models have a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. The T6 version instead has a 316-horsepower turbo- and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive.

The base trim will do the trick for most buyers. It has a lengthy standard features list, and it's available with either engine.

• Volvo V90 T5 R-Design: The base 2018 Volvo V90 comes with leather upholstery, the Sensus infotainment system, a 10-speaker sound system, and a panoramic moonroof. It also has a slew of safety features, including a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, the Pilot Assist semiautonomous driving system, and traffic sign recognition.
• Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design: The V90 T6 R-Design upgrades the base model with the stronger powertrain, all-wheel drive, and heated front seats.
• Volvo V90 T5 Inscription: The Volvo V90 T5 Inscription builds on the base model with numerous additional amenities such as rear-window sun curtains, full Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and other interior styling cues.
• Volvo V90 T6 AWD Inscription: The V90 T6 Inscription comes with all the same features as its T5 Inscription counterpart.
• Volvo V90 Cross Country AWD: The Cross Country V90 comes standard with the T5 powertrain and all-wheel drive. In addition to the base V90’s features, it boasts a higher ride height, hill-descent control, and more rugged exterior styling. There's also a V90 Cross Country T6 AWD.

Plenty of features were available when the V90 was new. That means you may find models outfitted with extra features such as an air suspension, a 360-degree parking camera, Park Assist Pilot, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system, a head-up display, a dual-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system, and more.

See 2018 Volvo V90 trims and specs »

What Does Volvo's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Volvo offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles five years old or less and with fewer than 80,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. All certified pre-owned Volvos come with an unlimited-mileage comprehensive warranty providing exclusionary coverage until five years from the new-car purchase date. Additional coverage is available for a fee. Each CPO Volvo must pass a 170-point inspection. Additional benefits like mobile app connectivity, 24-hour roadside assistance, towing, and trip interruption benefits may be available, so read the Volvo warranty page carefully.

Volvo’s CPO program is one of the better ones available from a luxury automaker. Infiniti, Lexus, Jaguar, Tesla, and Land Rover are the only programs that are more robust.

See the best CPO programs »

How Safe Is the V90?

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has crash tested the 2018 V90.

Standard advanced safety features:

• rearview camera
• rear parking sensors
• lane departure warning
• lane keep assist
• blind spot monitoring
• rear cross traffic alert
• adaptive cruise control
• forward collision warning
• automatic emergency braking
• Pilot Assist semiautonomous driving system
• traffic sign recognition

Available advanced safety features:

• head-up display
• automatic Park Assist Pilot
• 360-degree parking camera

See V90 safety scores »

2018 Volvo V90 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2018 Volvo V90 or 2018 Subaru Outback?

The 2018 Subaru Outback isn't a luxury wagon like the V90, but it's a great alternative. The Subaru is available with a powerful six-cylinder engine, and it offers a lot of comfort and convenience features. The Outback also provides abundant cargo space, a high ground clearance, and standard all-wheel drive. This makes it a perfect vehicle for taking a family road trip or venturing into the great outdoors. To top things off, it costs less than the Volvo. Unless you want the V90's luxurious feel, the Subaru is the better pick.

Which Is Better: 2018 Volvo V90 or 2018 Audi Allroad?

The 2018 Audi Allroad is more enjoyable to drive than the V90. It has quick acceleration, and its handling is athletic. The Allroad comes standard with all-wheel drive, allowing it to do some light off-roading. Although the Volvo’s interior is slightly more luxurious, both cars have excellent cabins. Passenger room is good in both wagons, but the Allroad has a little more cargo space. The Audi also earns a higher predicted reliability rating.

Compare the V90, Outback, and Allroad »

2018 V90 Performance

How Does the 2018 Volvo V90 Drive?

The 2018 Volvo V90 has two turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains, named T5 and T6. The T5 is the standard powertrain, and the available T6 has 66 more horsepower. The base model has plenty of oomph, but the stronger engine makes the V90 quicker off the line. However, the transmission that comes with both engines occasionally fails to shift when appropriate.

This Volvo has a smooth ride, even over rough roads. It has good traction, particularly with all-wheel drive, and it feels poised on winding roads.

• Base engine: 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (T5)
• Available engine: 316-horsepower turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (T6)
• Drivetrain: standard front-wheel drive; available all-wheel drive (standard with T6)
• Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Does the 2018 Volvo V90 Get Good Gas Mileage?

With its base engine and front-wheel drive, the V90 gets typical fuel economy for a wagon.

• T5, FWD: 24/34 mpg city/highway
• T5, AWD: 23/31 mpg
• T6, AWD: 22/29 mpg

Read more about V90 performance »

2018 V90 Interior

How Many People Does the 2018 V90 Seat?

The 2018 V90 seats five people in two rows. The interior looks great, with its attractive, understated styling and lots of quality materials. Both rows of seats are comfortable and supportive. Drivers will appreciate the great forward visibility, and rear-seat passengers will enjoy plenty of head- and legroom.

Standard seating features:

• leather upholstery
• power-adjustable front seats

Available seating features:

• leather upholstery
• heated and ventilated front seats
• heated rear seats
• massaging front seats
• heated steering wheel

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2018 Volvo V90?

The 2018 V90 has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats and an upper tether on the rear middle seat.

2018 Volvo V90 Features

The infotainment system in the V90 has a vertically-oriented screen with crisp graphics. It responds to smartphone-style commands, but it also has connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay if you prefer to go that route. The only downside to the system is that it may take you some time to find all the features within its menus.

• Standard infotainment features: the Sensus infotainment system, navigation, two USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker sound system
• Available infotainment features: a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system and a dual-screen rear-seat DVD entertainment system
• Additional standard features: quad-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Other available features: a 110-volt household-style power outlet

See 2018 Volvo V90 specs »

Read more about V90 interior »

2018 Volvo V90 Dimensions

Volvo V90 Cargo Space

The 2018 V90 has 19.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 54 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Most rivals offer more space. On the bright side, the V90's cargo area is easy to load. A hands-free power liftgate comes standard.

These cargo dimensions are for comparative purposes. There is no substitute for visually examining the storage area in any car you’re considering.

2018 Volvo V90 Length and Weight

• Length: 16 feet, 2 inches
• Curb weight: 3,850 to 4,210 pounds

Where Was the 2018 Volvo V90 Built?

Volvo built the V90 in Sweden.