Volvo is among the few automakers that still believes the station wagon has a place in the North American market, but the Swedish brand is hedging its bets by lining the V90 up alongside this more rugged-looking version it calls the Cross Country.
Volvo already has a mid-size SUV in the XC90 that introduced the brand's current styling language. But you could argue there's no such thing as too many utility and crossover vehicles in a marketplace with a seemingly endless appetite for them.
For 2018, the V90 Cross Country's only change is, sadly, the loss of the heated windshield that last year was part of the optional climate package.
There are two trim levels -- T5 and T6 -- both powered by a 2.0L engine. The difference is the T5 uses a turbocharged variant good for 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 adds supercharging to extract 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard with both engines.
Anyone who has driven in deep snow will appreciate the extra ground clearance engineered into this version of the V90, which still manages to look extraordinary even without the standard model's ground-hugging chassis.
Volvo doesn't face a lot of competition with this car. In some markets -- but not Canada, apparently -- Mercedes will sell you an All-Terrain version of its E-Class wagon with a raised chassis, and Audi has its A4 Allroad, which is the only way that company will sell you an A4 wagon in this country. Otherwise, this car really is positioned as an alternative to true SUVs and crossovers.
A lot of standard kit is included here for the sub-$59,000 price, like a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, tire pressure monitoring, leather seating, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, Sensus infotainment system with 9.0-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker stereo, passive keyless entry and a hands-free power tailgate. Active safety gear includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and large animal detection and road run-off mitigation and protection.
Options include a 12.3-inch all-digital gauge cluster, four-zone climate control, a climate package that heats the windshield washer nozzles, steering wheel and rear seats, and a vision package that bundles blind spot warning/rear cross traffic alert with auto-dimming interior and side mirrors and a 360-degree exterior camera system.
Stand-alone extras include Volvo's Four-C adaptive suspension with rear air springs, 19-inch wheels and a head-up display.
Fuel consumption estimates are 10.4/7.7 L/100 km (city/highway) in the T5 and 10.9/8.0 for the more potent T6.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
