A grand touring car that scoffs at the weather
For some, it doesn’t seem that long ago when station wagons ruled the hearts, garages and driveways of suburbia. Decorated in fake wood trim — on the outside — and wearing names of mock-English splendor, such as Kingswood Estate, they succumbed to the onslaught of minivans, only to be finished off by SUVs — at least in the United States. In Europe, they never disappeared because they weren’t any bulkier than your typical four-door and could be tuned to handle like a sports sedan while still hauling acres of stuff.
Nevertheless, while every crevice of today’s suburbia seems to be occupied by an SUV of one type or another, there are those who want utility but also seek to stand out in a sea of sameness.
May I interest you in a station wagon? Perhaps one with all-wheel drive, not unlike an SUV?
This explains the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country.
It rests atop Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture that underpins the dazzlingly beautiful 90 Series, with which the CC shares its fetching looks. The Cross Country does, however, wear some unique trim to set it apart, such as lower-body and wheel-arch moldings in your choice of black or body color. Most chrome has been exchanged for blackened trim.
Inside, you’ll find the same elegant interior that’s used elsewhere in the 90 Series, with a spare Scandinavian aesthetic purity that makes this cabin among the finest made at any price, especially when equipped with the luxury package. Its large infotainment screen performs with a sublime simplicity. The seats are extraordinarily comfortable and supportive, and the cabin is quiet. The panoramic sunroof is enormous, lending the cabin a spacious feel. Equally spacious is the rear cargo area, featuring a cover that raises and lowers with the tailgate.
However, the main attraction remains its running gear. Unlike the rest of the V90 line, the Cross Country rides 2.6 inches higher and boasts standard all-wheel drive and hill-descent control as well as larger wheels. It comes solely in the T6 trim, meaning its power comes from a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter fourcylinder that produces 315 horsepower through an eightspeed automatic transmission.
The result is a grand touring car, one that scoffs at weather and can adjust its temperament to be more aggressive or more cossetting. The engine provides the necessary power and, when spooled up, proves instantaneously lively and responsive, although passing maneuvers call for care.
But this car also makes for a faithful off-road companion thanks to its off road driving mode, which can be selected when the comfort, dynamic, and eco modes aren’t appropriate. Unlike with many crossovers, including the Volvo XC90, this mode doesn’t affect the ride height, which remains an already impressive 8.3 inches.
Instead, it remaps the electronics throughout the driveline to accommodate the conditions, which it does effortlessly.
But effortless describes
everything about this car. From its exquisite styling to its agility off-road to its magnificent Bowers and Wilkins audio system, the 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country is the knowing answer to a world blinded by SUVs.
Just resist the urge to give it a mock Tudor name.
I just spent some time getting to know Matt Ogabian, owner of Made in Japan/USA/Europe, an independent repair shop in Campbell. As an automotive technology teacher, it’s important I meet and forge relationships with dealers, independent shops and fleet operations so I can better understand how to prepare my students for the demands and expectations of this rapidly changing industry.
Besides technical skills and reliability, information competency and electronic communication skills are in high demand by employers. I was highly impressed with how Matt runs his business and hope by sharing some of his practices folks might see how a first-rate shop gets things done.
Made in Japan/USA/Europe records all customer calls to ensure proper practices are followed and prevent misunderstandings. After checking their vehicle in, customers are escorted home or to work by a shuttle driver. When a vehicle inspection is performed, all areas of concern are photographed and uploaded to an app, along with descriptions of recommended actions and options. An email is then sent to the customer with a link to the app, which also includes the vehicle’s repair history and previous recommendations. Customers, asked to view the information, then receive a call shortly thereafter to discuss a plan of action and, if desired, no-interest, sixmonth repair financing. If the customer has any apprehensions, Matt insists the customer come back to the shop and consult directly with him and the technician before the job proceeds.
During the repair process, customers can use the app to track previously performed services, arrange future appointments, and view a checklist of any recommended fixes that were not completed during their last visit. The app also produces repair job progress reports and sends customers a notification once their car is ready for pickup. In the event a service can’t be completed in the promised time, a complimentary rental car is provided. Matt far exceeds California’s 90-day, 4,000 mile required service warranty by offering three-year, 36,000mile coverage on all services performed. And that’s honored nationwide.
I was blown away by the level of sophistication Matt employs managing his business. In addition to being an Automotive Service Council and Bosch Car Service board member, he goes to great lengths to provide top-tier training for his techs and mentoring for interns. He’s in the process of setting up each tech with a networked tablet, which he hopes will speed the vehicle inspection and recommendation process and bring service information and diagnostic connectivity directly to the vehicle fender. From his smartphone, anywhere he goes, Matt can view every aspect of the shop, check the status of each job, and upload comments or corrections to vehicle repair information on a customer’s app. He’s bound and determined to change the way auto service is performed, one customer at a time.
By telling Matt’s story, I hope to show that shops like this do exist. My only compensation for mentioning all this is learning a lot and making another new friend in the auto service community.