AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9/10
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Safety8/10
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PRACTICALITY8/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS6/10
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FEATURES9/10
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POWER8/10
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COMFORT8/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE8/10
Wagons are on the wane, but the 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country proves there’s still some life in them.
It started out as the off-road-ish sibling of the V90 wagon with more ground clearance, but that version has since been discontinued and the Cross Country remains the only V90 standing. As per Volvo’s goal of electrifying all its vehicles, it’s a mild hybrid. There are no changes from the 2023 model except for some paint hues.
The V90 Cross Country comes in two trims, starting with the Plus at $72,200, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,000. Tested here is the Ultimate, starting at $79,050. This one was further outfitted with options that took it to $87,445 before taxes.
Styling: 9/10
The V90 Cross Country bears a classic design, with near-perfect proportions of its long nose and shorter rear overhang, smooth instead of razor-sharp body creases, and taillights that rise up alongside the rear window. The Plus has 19-inch wheels and the Ultimate has 20-inch alloys, but this tester wears optional 21-inch rims. The interior is also handsome in its minimal Scandinavian style, with high-quality materials and excellent fit-and-finish. The crystal gear selector is unique to the Ultimate trim.
Safety: 8/10
Standard features on both trims include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, auto-dimming mirrors, lane-keep assist, highway driving assist, driver’s knee airbag, whiplash-prevention seats, and surround-view cameras.
Features: 9/10
Both trims include such items as a panoramic sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 12-inch digital instrument display, power-folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, roof rails, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory, and a hands-free power tailgate. The nine-inch centre touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, and a four-year subscription to Google Assistant, Maps, and Store, plus Volvo’s remote functions. It’ll even let you watch YouTube videos, as long as the vehicle is parked.
The Ultimate further tops that with rear-door sunshades, a head-up display, ventilated and massaging front seats with power bolsters and driver’s power cushion extender, passenger side memory, crystal gear selector, and a Harman Kardon premium sound system, which can be upgraded to a Bowers and Wilkins system as this car’s was.
User-Friendliness: 6/10
The V90 Cross Country’s seats are set considerably inboard – no doubt to help with side-crash safety – and while the long-legged should be fine, I’m not tall and I live in an area that loves its road salt, and I inevitably ended up with it on my pant leg as I couldn’t avoid the door sill when getting out.
Most functions, including climate controls, are handled through the vertical centre screen. The Google-based system is more refined than Volvo’s old operating system, but it’s still not entirely simple. Some operations require a few steps to carry out, and the icons are small and fiddly. The Google Assistant voice control works well, but it doesn’t operate every function, and in any case, even when there are redundant ways of making something happen, all of them should be simple to reduce distraction.
Practicality: 8/10
Wagons are inherently practical for carrying your goods, and even though the V90 doesn’t have as much cargo space as its limited number of wagon competitors, it’ll still hold enough luggage for a weekend getaway, or skis or snowboards in its pass-through. It also has grocery bag hooks, so often missing in SUVs where the middle letter is supposed to stand for utility.
Comfort: 8/10
The V90 Cross Country’s seats are as comfortable and supportive as they look, especially with the Ultimate’s massage function thrown in. The straight roofline means headroom is virtually the same in the front and rear seats. Those in the front chairs get more legroom than in most competitors, while the rear seats are a bit tighter. The ride is very firm, though, with bumps making their presence known, likely due in part to those low-profile tires on the optional 21-inch wheels.
Power: 8/10
Volvo assigns odd nomenclature to its engines, and the V90’s “B6” indicates a 2.0L four-cylinder that’s both supercharged and turbocharged, and with a mild hybrid system. The supercharger is engine-driven and provides an immediate power boost; the turbocharger takes a split-second longer but maintains its assistance longer. The 48-volt hybrid system adds some fuel-free power of its own. The result is 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD).
Acceleration is strong and linear, and that small engine has no trouble moving this large wagon around, including when you want passing power on the highway.
Driving Feel: 8/10
That firm ride aside, the V90 Cross Country is a very decent driver. The steering is well-weighted and responsive, it’s well-planted on the highway, and it maintains its composure when navigating curves despite its higher ground clearance. The AWD system favours the front wheels but can send more to the rear as needed for traction, and an off-road mode optimizes that for non-pavement driving, although it’s more for cottage roads than heavier-duty trails.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
The V90 Cross Country is officially rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 10.7 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.5 in combined driving, and it asks for premium fuel. In my cold week with it, I averaged 12.0 L/100 km.
Value: 8/10
It can be hard to cross-shop this car, especially when wagons themselves are rare. The V90 Cross Country starts at $72,200 and goes to $79,050 before options. Among other wagons, the Subaru Outback is $36,190 to $49,590, but it’s nowhere near as luxurious. At the other end of the scale, the Audi A6 Allroad runs from $84,665 to $92,215.
The Verdict
You could also cross-shop the 2024 V90 Cross Country against SUVs and crossovers, but because it doesn’t fit the typical mainstream-or-premium mould, many buyers will look at it primarily because it’s a Volvo. For that, they’ll get a wagon that has its quirks, but overall is a solid and comfortable driver with a lot of features for the money.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 295 hp @ 5,400 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 2,100 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 10.7 / 8.1 / 9.5 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 551 / 1,517 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country Ultimate |
| Base Price | $77,050 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,000 |
| Price as Tested | $87,545 |
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Optional Equipment
$8,395 – Bowers & Wilkins sound system, $3,750; air suspension, $2,350; 21-inch wheels, $1,475; protection package, $820
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