Ever since the rise of the SUVs, less and less car brands offer wagons. Why would anyone choose a wagon over a SUV? The answer is quite simple: wagons drive better!
The reason why wagons drive better is because wagons are more similar to sedans than SUVs do. Wagons have lower center of gravity and less height compared to SUVs so the driving dynamics are more similar to sedans. The Volvo V90 Cross Country is a large wagon; it is almost 195inches long and 74inches wide. The wagon is powered by a 2.0L direct-injected Supercharged and Turbocharged engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 295hp and 310lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. Yes, you read that right, the engine is both supercharged and turbocharged; Volvo has been doing this supercharged/turbocharge for years now and the result is pleasing. The supercharger improves the initial acceleration by eliminating the time needed for turbocharger to kick in. The result is a pleasing linear acceleration; the V90 does 0-100km/hr in about 6 seconds. The V90 also uses the mild hybrid system to improve off-the-line acceleration and to provide good fuel economy. The official EPA is 10.6 City and 8.1 Highway for a combined 9.5L/100km fuel efficiency. My tester did about 11.5L/100km for a mixed of highway and city driving.
Looks & Interior
The V90 looks like a, wagon. It’s long and not too wide; the physical dimensions are 195inches long and 74.9inches wide and 8.3inches of ground clearance. The V90 looks elegant and Scandinavian (aka simple yet stylish). The legroom in the back is superb; however, the transmission tunnel in the middle is large which makes the V90 very comfortable for 4 adults.  While the trunk of the V90 provides about 25.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, the trunk lacks buttons to put the rear seats back.
The interior of the V90 is a clean, smart and high quality in materials. My tester is equipped with bluish grey colored Nappa leather, open pore wood trim, and the $3850 Lounge package includes powered massage front seats, 4-way climate control, and leather-wrapped instrument panel. The outstanding Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system costs an additional $3750 but if you’re a music enthusiast, the extra cost is worth every penny.
Volvo is famous for pioneering safety features, in fact, the three-point safe belt we’re using today was invented by Volvo back in 1959. The V90 is equipped with state-of-the-art safety technology such as Lane Keeping Aid, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Pilot Assist which provides semi autonomous driving and Blind Spot Cross Traffic Alert.
Performance
With the help from the supercharger and turbocharger, the V90 drives smoothly and the acceleration is very linear. There is no waiting for the turbocharger to kick in from idle because the supercharger provides the power and torque needed to accelerate off the line. The ride feels very solid and planted, and the suspension is compliant enough for comfort but still adequate for absorbing the bumps of gravel road. The V90 has an Offroad mode but the button is embedded in the menu as there is no dedicated mode selector. There is also no sport or any other modes to select from, which might be disappointing for some drivers. Cornering is great with no apparent over or under steer. The V90 might be quite long but it’s still relatively easy to drive. One good thing about the V90 is its large fuel tank; each full tank gives about 700km which is excellent for road trips.
Verdict
So, who should buy the Volvo V90 Cross Country? I think anyone who likes sedan profile and handling but needs a spacious trunk should check out the V90. It is way less common than SUVs and the driving dynamics are generally better than SUVs. With a starting price of $66k, the Volvo V90 is priced competitively. The rivals such as Mercedes E-Class wagon and Audi A6 wagon all start close to $80k. Volvo V90 is definitely worth a test drive if you’re shopping for a premium larger vehicle. The built-in Android system is first in the industry and gives the Volvo a competitive edge against their rivals.
Please check out the V90 gallery below
