Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon. If you're on the hunt for a blend of Scandinavian sophistication, practicality, and a dash of sporty flair, this wagon might just be your perfect match. We're going to break down everything that makes this car stand out, from its stunning design to its performance and tech features. So buckle up, and let's get started!

Exterior Design: Sleek and Sporty

The exterior design of the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon is where Volvo's commitment to minimalist elegance truly shines. The V90 boasts clean lines, a long hood, and a gracefully sloping roofline, giving it a sleek and sophisticated profile. The R-Design trim adds a sporty edge with unique styling cues that set it apart from the standard V90. The R-Design specific front grille, with its black mesh and satin chrome surround, immediately grabs your attention, making a bold statement without being overly aggressive. The distinctive LED headlights, featuring Volvo's signature "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights, not only look fantastic but also provide excellent visibility, enhancing safety on the road. Moving along the sides, the R-Design side skirts and sporty alloy wheels, usually 19 or 20 inches in diameter, give the wagon a more athletic stance. These wheels aren't just for show; they complement the R-Design's tuned suspension, contributing to a more engaging driving experience. At the rear, the V90's elegant design continues with its distinctive LED taillights that stretch vertically along the tailgate, creating a modern and recognizable look. The R-Design adds a touch of sportiness with its unique rear bumper and dual exhaust outlets, hinting at the car's performance capabilities. Overall, the exterior of the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon is a masterclass in combining elegance with sporty design elements. It’s a car that looks equally at home in front of a high-end restaurant or parked at a weekend soccer game. The attention to detail and the cohesive design language make it a standout in the wagon segment. Whether you appreciate understated luxury or crave a bit of sporty flair, the V90 R-Design’s exterior is sure to impress. It's a testament to Volvo's ability to create vehicles that are both beautiful and functional, making a lasting impression wherever they go.

Interior Design and Comfort: Scandinavian Sanctuary

Stepping inside the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon, you're immediately greeted by a cabin that exudes Scandinavian design principles: simplicity, functionality, and a focus on high-quality materials. The interior is a sanctuary of comfort and style, designed to make every journey a pleasure. The R-Design trim elevates the interior with unique touches that enhance the sporty feel. The seats, typically upholstered in Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, offer excellent support and comfort, even on long drives. The R-Design sport seats feature enhanced bolstering, keeping you firmly in place during spirited driving. The dashboard and door panels are adorned with metal mesh inlays, adding a contemporary and sophisticated touch. The leather-wrapped sport steering wheel feels great in your hands and features paddle shifters for those who enjoy a more engaging driving experience. The centerpiece of the interior is the Sensus infotainment system, controlled via a 9-inch touchscreen that seamlessly integrates into the dashboard. This system manages everything from navigation and audio to climate control and vehicle settings. While the touchscreen can take some getting used to, its intuitive layout and crisp graphics make it relatively easy to operate. The V90's cabin is incredibly spacious, offering ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats are comfortable and supportive, making it a great car for families or anyone who frequently travels with passengers. The wagon body style provides a generous amount of cargo space, making it perfect for hauling groceries, luggage, or sports equipment. With the rear seats folded down, the V90 offers even more room, making it a versatile choice for those who need to transport larger items. Volvo's commitment to safety is evident throughout the interior, with advanced safety features such as lane departure warning, collision mitigation, and driver alert control all standard. These technologies work together to help prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe on the road. Overall, the interior of the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon is a testament to Volvo's dedication to creating comfortable, stylish, and safe vehicles. It's a place where you can relax and enjoy the journey, surrounded by high-quality materials and advanced technology. Whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a long road trip, the V90's interior provides a welcoming and refined environment.

Performance and Handling: Balanced and Engaging

When it comes to performance, the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon strikes a balance between efficiency and engaging driving dynamics. Under the hood lies a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a respectable 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While it may not be the most powerful engine in its class, it provides ample power for daily driving and confident highway merging. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and efficiently. The R-Design trim enhances the driving experience with a sport-tuned suspension that provides a firmer ride and improved handling. The suspension does a good job of minimizing body roll in corners, giving you more confidence behind the wheel. The steering is precise and well-weighted, providing good feedback from the road. While it's not a sports car, the V90 R-Design offers a more engaging driving experience than many other wagons in its class. The V90 T5 is front-wheel drive, which helps to improve fuel efficiency. However, if you're looking for more traction and stability, especially in inclement weather, you might consider the T6 model, which comes with all-wheel drive. In terms of acceleration, the V90 T5 can go from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.8 seconds, which is respectable for a wagon of its size. More importantly, the engine provides plenty of low-end torque, making it feel responsive and quick in everyday driving situations. The R-Design trim also includes paddle shifters, allowing you to manually shift gears for a more engaging driving experience. This can be especially useful when driving on winding roads or when you want to have more control over the car's performance. Overall, the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon offers a balanced and engaging driving experience. It's not the fastest or most powerful wagon on the market, but it provides a good combination of performance, comfort, and handling. Whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a road trip, the V90 R-Design is a pleasure to drive.

Technology and Features: Innovation at Your Fingertips

The 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon is packed with technology and features designed to enhance your driving experience. At the heart of the car's tech offerings is the Sensus infotainment system, which is controlled via a 9-inch touchscreen display. This system integrates navigation, audio, climate control, and vehicle settings into a single interface. While the touchscreen can take some getting used to, it's generally intuitive and responsive. The Sensus system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your smartphone with the car's infotainment system. This makes it easy to access your favorite apps, music, and contacts while on the road. The V90 R-Design comes standard with a range of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, collision mitigation, and driver alert control. These technologies work together to help prevent accidents and keep you and your passengers safe. Other available safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control system can automatically adjust your speed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you, making highway driving more relaxed and convenient. The V90 R-Design also offers a premium audio system, which delivers crisp and clear sound throughout the cabin. Whether you're listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, you'll appreciate the high-quality sound reproduction. Other notable features include a panoramic sunroof, which lets in plenty of natural light and creates a more open and airy feel in the cabin. The sunroof is also equipped with a power sunshade, allowing you to block out the sun when needed. The V90 R-Design also offers a hands-free power tailgate, which makes it easy to load and unload cargo. Simply wave your foot under the rear bumper, and the tailgate will automatically open. Overall, the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon is a tech-savvy wagon that offers a wide range of features designed to enhance your driving experience. From its advanced safety technologies to its user-friendly infotainment system, the V90 R-Design is a pleasure to drive and own.

Fuel Efficiency: Economical and Eco-Friendly

Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for many car buyers, and the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon delivers respectable numbers in this area. The T5 model, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, is rated by the EPA at 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. These figures are competitive for a wagon of its size and performance capabilities. In real-world driving, you can expect to achieve fuel economy that is close to the EPA estimates, depending on your driving style and conditions. If you drive mostly in the city or have a heavy foot, you may see slightly lower numbers. Conversely, if you do a lot of highway driving and drive conservatively, you may be able to exceed the EPA estimates. The V90 T5 also comes with several features that help to improve fuel efficiency. The engine is equipped with start/stop technology, which automatically shuts off the engine when you come to a stop and restarts it when you release the brake pedal. This can save fuel in stop-and-go traffic. The 8-speed automatic transmission is also designed to maximize fuel efficiency. It offers a wide range of gear ratios, allowing the engine to operate at its most efficient speed in a variety of driving conditions. In addition to its fuel-efficient engine and transmission, the V90 T5 also benefits from Volvo's commitment to lightweight construction. The car is built using high-strength steel and aluminum, which helps to reduce weight and improve fuel economy. Overall, the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon offers a good balance of performance and fuel efficiency. It's not the most fuel-efficient wagon on the market, but it provides respectable numbers that should satisfy most drivers. Whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a road trip, the V90 T5 is an economical and eco-friendly choice.

Reliability and Maintenance: Peace of Mind

Reliability is a key factor to consider when purchasing a vehicle, and the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon generally enjoys a good reputation in this area. Volvo has made significant strides in recent years to improve the reliability of its vehicles, and the V90 is a testament to those efforts. However, like any car, the V90 is not immune to potential issues. Some owners have reported problems with the infotainment system, including glitches and software updates. Others have experienced issues with the car's electrical system, such as sensor malfunctions and battery drain. To ensure the long-term reliability of your V90, it's important to follow the recommended maintenance schedule. This includes regular oil changes, fluid checks, and inspections. Volvo recommends that you have your V90 serviced by a certified Volvo technician, who has the knowledge and expertise to properly care for your car. The cost of maintaining a V90 can be higher than some other wagons in its class. Volvo parts and labor tend to be more expensive than those of some other brands. However, if you properly maintain your V90, you can minimize the risk of costly repairs down the road. Volvo offers a comprehensive warranty on the V90, which covers most repairs for the first four years or 50,000 miles. This warranty provides peace of mind and can help to offset the cost of potential repairs. Overall, the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon is a reliable wagon that offers a good combination of performance, comfort, and style. While it's not perfect, it's generally a well-built car that should provide years of trouble-free driving. By following the recommended maintenance schedule and addressing any issues promptly, you can ensure the long-term reliability of your V90.

Conclusion: The Verdict

So, what's the final verdict on the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon? It's a compelling choice for anyone seeking a blend of style, practicality, and performance. With its sleek exterior, luxurious interior, and engaging driving dynamics, the V90 R-Design stands out in a crowded segment. The V90 R-Design isn't just about looks and performance; it's also packed with technology and safety features that enhance the driving experience. The Sensus infotainment system, advanced safety technologies, and available driver-assistance features make the V90 a pleasure to drive and own. While the V90 R-Design may not be the most fuel-efficient or the most reliable wagon on the market, it offers a good balance of performance, comfort, and style. If you're looking for a wagon that's both practical and luxurious, the V90 R-Design is definitely worth considering. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy the 2018 Volvo V90 T5 R-Design Wagon depends on your individual needs and preferences. But if you value style, practicality, performance, and technology, the V90 R-Design is a strong contender.