Volvo V90 Cross Country puts SUVs to shame 

VOLVO

Volvo’s V90 Cross Country station wagon has the amenities and road manners that match or surpass any SUV.

It’s been at least a decade since I’ve driven a Volvo of any kind. 

When I got the opportunity to drive a wagon, I certainly wasn’t going to turn it down. The Volvo V90 Cross Country was the wagon I drove, and I am convinced there really isn’t a need for SUVs. Actually, I’ve always thought that about wagons. A wagon can carry five people in comfort and all of their stuff. 

Some SUVs (but mostly minivans) allow you more movement in the back seats but don’t have the storage, especially if there is a third row. Five people can ride in comfort in a V90 and not miss that movement.

The V90 is powered by a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder supercharged and turbo charged engine combined with a mild hybrid system. This configuration makes 295 horsepower with 315 pounds feet of torque. An eight-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels through an all-wheel drive system.

This engine and transmission combination works wonderfully well, powering the V90 to 60 miles per hour in about 6.1 seconds. It actually feels quicker. Get the car on the highway and you are filled with confidence. You can pass with authority and keep pace with quickly moving traffic without drama. The transmission shifted quickly and precisely and never hunted for the proper gear. 

The V90’s highway manners were nearly perfect. I found the ride to be firm but not stiff. The car tracked straight when blasting down the interstate. Not a lot of steering input was necessary. The car also felt at home on twisty roads. It’s not a sports car but the all-wheel drive gave the car some extra stickum when cornering. The steering feels good no matter what task you are performing. This is one great all-around, all-weather wagon.

This version of the V90 has been around since 2017 when it got its first major redesign. That’s OK because the car looks great. I love the sleek lines and the elevated stance due to higher ground clearance. You can do some mild off-roading, but it feels just right in the urban jungle.

The exterior is fine, but the interior is really striking. There is leather, wood and metal everywhere. There were some shiny black surfaces that acted like fingerprint pads but that wasn’t too bothersome. The dash is digital and can be configured to your liking. A touch screen controls most of the car’s functions but was easy to operate. Google controls the car, but you can use Apple CarPlay as well.

The infotainment system was pretty awesome. You can download apps such as Spotify to play your favorite tunes. My test car also had a Max app. I found that odd until I clicked on and found I could watch video on the screen. The resolution was surprisingly good, and this was while the car was parked. Don’t know if it works while moving.

The front seats are absolutely wonderful. Each is power operated and have enough adjustments to find a favorite seating position. The rear bench is split so that you can carry people and a bit more cargo if necessary. With the entire seat up you’ve got more than 25 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the seat completely flat and you’ve got almost 70 cubic feet of space. 

There is ample head, hip and leg room in the rear for folks well over 6 feet.

I’m trying to think of what I didn’t like about the V90 and can’t think of anything specific. Oh, yeah, there is the price. I think my test car was an Ultra with some options. I think the car was more than $70,000 – quite a bit for a wagon.

Yet, this is a lot of station wagon. It’s certainly easier to park than an SUV (especially with the 360-degree view camera) and it doesn’t use as much fuel. To me, this makes more sense.

Pros:

• Volvo’s safety

• Smooth, powerful engine

• Lots of passenger room

• Generous cargo space

• All-wheel drive

• Comfortable, quiet ride 

• It’s a car

Cons:

• Price

• Rides a bit rougher with larger wheels

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