2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country Review

　　

2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　It's fair to say that no other automaker has been so committed to wagons as Volvo. Whether you're thinking of the Volvo Duett in the early 1950s or the boxy 850 of the 1990s, there's probably something from Volvo's past that will seem familiar. The V90 Cross Country is the brand's biggest. It's just like the regular V90 wagon but has some SUV-like enhancements such as a raised suspension (good for 8.3 inches of ground clearance), standard all-wheel drive and more rugged-looking styling.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country T6 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$193/mo  for V90 Cross Country T6

　　V90 Cross Country T6

　　T6 4dr Wagon AWD (2.0L 4cyl Twincharger 8A) (Most Popular) - $54,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　For 2021, the V90 Cross Country gets refreshed with updated styling and more tech. Those design tweaks include updated front and rear bumpers, a new taillight design and new wheels. As a whole, it remains the same lifted wagon that debuted a few years back alongside the standard V90 wagon and related S90 sedan. Inside, the two cars are identical, from the design of the dash to the spacious cargo area. And, as with every Volvo, the V90 Cross Country is fitted with some of the latest driver aids and safety features available today.

　　Volvo has had this class to itself for the past few years. Yes, there are other wagons, but no one made one that offered as much room or ground clearance as the V90 Cross Country. But within the past year, the Audi A6 Allroad has made its return, and Mercedes-Benz has introduced the E-Class All-Terrain. Both are aimed squarely at the V90 Cross Country. There's also the smaller Audi A4 Allroad, but that's closer in size and price to Volvo's own V60 Cross Country. Overall, we're fond of the V90 Cross Country and certainly recommend giving it a look.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the V90 Cross Country drive? The V90 provides ample oomph for the daily commute along with predictable and confident stopping power. The engine and transmission react quickly when you hit the gas but also deliver strong power at low speeds. A soft ride makes for somewhat floaty handling, but you'd only notice if you're trying to set a lap record.

　　The steering feels direct and accurate, and effort is adjustable depending on drive setting, but there isn't much feedback from the tires. A bit more ground clearance with all-wheel drive means the Cross Country fares better than a standard V90 on unpaved and slippery roads. This smooth-operating luxury wagon delivers the driving experience you'd expect.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the V90 Cross Country? The feel of the interior matches the chic design, provided you tick the right options. The front seats offer excellent comfort, a wide range of adjustment, and even a massage feature. You'll want the latter since the V90 rides smoothly over most surfaces but you'll still feel road vibrations. Big bumps also jostle the interior and come with loud thunks that are disappointing for a luxury vehicle. At least wind, road and tire noise is kept relatively at bay.

　　While we typically don't like touchscreen controls, the climate settings only need to be set once. The V90's powerful system always keeps the interior at the right temperature. Just set it and forget it. The seat ventilation makes some noise, but passengers will appreciate how well it works.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The unique interior design makes a good first impression, but the glossy black plastic quickly attracts smudges. Cabin controls (touchscreen, instrument panel, buttons/dials) are intuitive and easy to use. The lack of power operation for the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is disappointing for a car at this price, but a wide range of seat and steering wheel adjustments means no compromise between comfort and visibility.

　　The Cross Country sits taller than a standard wagon, so passengers don't need to bend as much to get in. Taller rear-seat riders may still have to duck their head to clear the doorframe. The cabin is an elegant-looking and pleasing place to sit, with a strong sense of spaciousness.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Cross Country's displays are clear and easy to read, and phone integration is as simple as plugging in a cable. The V90 Cross Country has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. These display your phone's apps on the lower half of the central display. Pleasingly, Volvo lets you operate some of your phone's apps (navigation, for example) while listening to FM or satellite radio. The optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo system is one of the finest we've sampled.

　　The V90's voice recognition stumbles with natural language, but it works fine after you master its learning curve. No problems with Apple/Android voice assistants. A 4G LTE data connection and Wi-Fi hotspot offer on-the-go internet. Most advanced driver aids function well, but we had trouble with our test car's lane keeping assist and the automatic parking system.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The V90's cargo space rivals what you'll find in most similar-size SUVs. The rear seats fold electrically, and a host of other clever options enhance its utility, such as a grocery bag holder and a steel guard that protects passengers from sliding cargo. Child seats are easy to install beyond a little squeeze to reach the seatback anchors. Optional two-height rear booster seats are also a novel idea. Interior storage is, curiously, only adequate.

　　An optional retractable tow hitch allows the V90 Cross Country to tow a 1,650-pound unbraked trailer or a 3,500-pound braked trailer. You'll need to install a trailer brake controller separately.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy for the V90 Cross Country T6 is a bit higher than that of a typical midsize luxury SUV. Our test car neared 25 mpg on our highway-heavy 115-mile test loop and averaged 20 mpg overall.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the V90 Cross Country a good value? The V90 justifies its pricing through graceful design, safety features, warranty coverage and ownership perks. Alas, our test car made a strong initial impression of quality but showed premature interior wear in key areas. Our test car rang in at nearly $15,000 more than the base model, admittedly with several desirable, but nonessential, options. Standard basic and powertrain warranties and initial complimentary services offer peace of mind but are on par with what other luxury carmakers offer.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　There's no denying it: The V90 just looks cool. The interior design is distinct from other luxury cars, right down to the tiny flag of Sweden stitched into the seats. You won't find a ton of driving thrills here, but there's decent power and performance. And there's something pleasant about rolling along in comfort behind the wheel of a stylish, high-end station wagon.

　　

Which V90 Cross Country does zzdcar recommend?

The V90 Cross Country is only available in a single trim level: T6. It comes with plenty of standard features and offers a handful of options for those who want more. We suggest opting for the Advance package and Lounge package too.

　　

2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country models

The 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country is only available in a single trim level: T6. It's powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard.

　　T6

　　Standard equipment on the Volvo V90 Cross Country includes:

　　19-inch wheels LED headlights Rain-sensing windshield wipers Auto-dimming mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Leather upholstery Heated steering wheel 12.3-inch touchscreen display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Power-adjustable front seats Dual-zone automatic climate control Wireless charging pad Power-operated cargo cover Two front and two rear USB-C portsStandard safety features and driver aids include:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volvo and the car in front; can also read traffic signs) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)The V90 Cross Country's option packages include:

　　Advanced package Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) 360-degree surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the V90 Cross Country and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Ambient interior lighting Climate package Heated wiper blades Heated rear seats Lounge package Ventilated front seats Four-zone automatic climate control Rear window sunshades Massaging function and more power adjustments for the front seats Upgraded interior trim There are also a few stand-alone options, such as:

　　Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system Adaptive air suspension system (can adjust the vehicle's ride height and ride comfort) Second-row integrated child booster seats

　　

2021 V90 Cross Country Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$54,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$193/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	33.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles