The Volvo V90 Cross Country is basically a glorified station wagon. It has the versatility of an SUV with the driving dynamics of a sedan in a very luxurious package. It can take the family to a night at the theater, then on a weekend camping adventure.
Base Price: $55,200
As Tested: $68,440
Horsepower: 295
Mileage: 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined
Wagons are popular in Europe but not so much in the U.S. Still, the V90 Cross County competes against some stalwarts including the Audi A6 Allroad and the Mercedes-Benz E-450 All-Terrain wagon. And, of course, there’s the Subaru Outback, which isn’t a luxury wagon but is very popular.
For 2022, the regular V90 is discontinued so the more rugged Cross County is the only V90 available. It comes in one trim that starts at $55,200. Prices can increase quickly with packages and options. All-wheel drive is standard. There’s room for five passengers. If you want similar features in a smaller wagon, Volvo also make the V60 Cross Country.
The V90 Cross County is powered by a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt hybrid system with a total output of 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
While the Cross Country isn’t exactly sporty, it is peppy with agile handling, and it’s easy to forget you’re behind the wheel of what’s basically a large station wagon. Steering and brakes are responsive, and the Cross Country stays planted when cornering. The ride is firmer than you might expect in a luxury vehicle; you will notice bumps and rough roads. And the cabin isn’t as quiet as other luxury vehicles with road, wind and engine noise noticeable at times.
With 8.3 inches of ground clearance, the V90 Cross County is ready for light off-roading, and standard AWD means you can tackle winter driving conditions.
Fuel efficiency is good for a luxury wagon and is enhanced by the mild hybrid system. EPA ratings for my tester are 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway with a combined rating of 25. I got 25 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The cabin is beautiful with sophisticated styling and top-notch materials including wood trim and saddle-quality leather. Fit and finish are excellent with every stitch in place. A tablet-like infotainment system dominates the dash. Seats are roomy and comfortable. Two adults will have plenty of room in the second row, and three can fit for shorter trips. The panoramic moonroof gives the cabin an airy feel.
Standard features include keyless entry, two-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, power front seats with driver seat memory, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with vertically oriented nine-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, four USB-C ports (two in front and two in back), Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging pad, panoramic moonroof, and integrated roof rails.
It’s surprising that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are NOT available for now, but Volvo says it will add smartphone integration later in this model year. The new infotainment system is similar to an Android tablet. It features a nine-inch vertical touchscreen and uses a Google-based interface. Google Maps and Google Play are included, and you can access various services such as Spotify. The system responds very quickly to voice and touch commands – more quickly than the previous Sensus Connect system – but the little icons can be difficult to see and to touch accurately, especially when driving. And there are few physical controls which means you have to use the touchscreen for heated seats and climate controls. And the lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for now could be a dealbreaker for would-be consumers.
Available features include a surround-view camera system, head-up display, four-zone climate control, Bowers and Wilkens premium audio system, Nappa leather seating, heated steering wheel, adjustable front side bolsters, front massaging seats, cooled front seats, heated rear seats, rear sunshades, and headlight washers,
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode, blind-spot information system with steering assist and cross-traffic alert with auto braking, lane departure warning with lane-keeping aid, run-off road protection and run-off road mitigation, the Pilot Assist system with adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and driver attention monitoring.
Cargo space is similar to what you’d find in an SUV. There are 25.5 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 69 cubes with the second row folded. A power tailgate is available.
The good:
Peppy handling
Posh, beautiful cabin
SUV-like cargo space
Suitable for light off-roading with 8.3-inches of ground clearance
Lots of standard and available tech and features
The not-so-good:
Firmer ride than you’d expect in a luxury vehicle
Cabin not as quiet as rivals
Infotainment system has shortcomings
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are NOT available for now
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $55,200. The Climate Package is $750 and adds headlight high pressure cleaning, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel. The Lounge Package is $2,800 and includes front seats with ventilated Nappa leather upholstery, four-zone automatic climate control and CleanZone air quality control system, rear sun curtains on the rear side doors, front seats with power adjustable side support, four-way power lumbar, and backrest massage, passenger memory seat, tailored dashboard and upper door panels, and power cushion extensions on the front seats. The Advanced Package is $1,700 and includes a graphical head-up display, 360-degree surround view camera system, high level interior illumination, and air quality with advanced air cleaner. Metallic paint is $695. Power operated tailgate is $200. Bowers and Wilkins Premium sound system is $4,000. Four-C adaptive air suspension is $1,200. 20-inch 5-V spoke Alloy wheels are $800. Destination charge is $1,095, bringing the grand total to $68,440.
Bottom line:
The 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country offers the versatility and practicality of an SUV in a stylish and luxurious wagon. It can handle light off-roading, has standard AWD, and is comfortable as a daily driver. The cabin is beautiful and stylish with a clean look. There’s a long list of standard and available features and tech. One drawback is the Google-based infotainment system – it can be clunky to use, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aren’t available for now.
