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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Overview
Volvo is a brand that's well known for its wagons, and the Swedish firm's latest long-roof models—including this 2021 V90 Cross Country—are moving this body style upmarket.
Based on the normal V90 wagon, the V90 Cross Country adds a lifted suspension and standard all-wheel drive for improved capability in inclement weather.
Like the smaller V60 Cross Country, the V90 Cross Country comes with more rugged styling cues to match its go-anywhere persona. Inside, real wood trim, sculpted seats, and a large cargo area balance practicality with luxury to good effect.
Driver-assistance features abound, including standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a semi-autonomous driving mode.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
What's New for 2021?
Like its sedan and wagon counterparts, the V90 Cross Country receives a light refresh for the 2021 model year, complete with tweaks to exterior styling, a new Bowers & Wilkins stereo system, and a cabin-air particulate-filtering system.
The V90 Cross Country's turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine—called T6 in Volvo-speak—is expected to carry over unchanged to 2021, even though European models will be offered with a 48-volt hybrid system.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Volvo hasn't released pricing for the 2021 V90 Cross Country at the time of writing this post, but I don't expect it to change much from the 2020's outlay.
All models come with the T6 power-train and all-wheel drive, and most of the wagon's desirable features come standard, including semi-autonomous driving technology, a large sunroof, a digital gauge display, real leather upholstery, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The T6 engine is a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 316 horsepower. Acceleration is fairly brisk, but the power delivery isn't consistently linear across the entire rev range. It manages to hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, which is quick for a family wagon.
The Mercedes-Benz E450 wagon is quicker still, zipping to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. Although the V90 Cross Country does not feel overtly sporty, it is nimble, rides well, and offers impressive cornering competence. The brakes are strong despite the spongy-feeling pedal.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Because of its small-displacement, forced-induction engine, the V90 Cross Country has one of the highest EPA fuel-economy ratings in the luxury-wagon segment.
The EPA says the V90 Cross Country should get 30 mpg on the highway.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Mercedes-Benz aside, no company is doing luxury interiors better than Volvo. The Swedish brand's warm and comforting cabins offer a compelling argument for its wagons' premium prices. They offer high-quality trimmings, elegant design, and substantive technology.
Two-tone leather on the steering wheel, textured knobs, beautiful open-pore wood, artful speaker covers, a vertically oriented tablet-style infotainment screen—it all helps separate the Volvo's vehicles from the pack. As is the case with most wagons, the V90 Cross Country offers generous amounts of interior space.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
However, it is not quite as efficient in the cargo-hauling department as Mercedes is. Nor can it beat the nonluxury Subaru Outback in that area. The Mercedes and the Subaru both holds more carry-on suitcases behind their rear seats than does the Volvo.
With all the seats folded, the V90 Cross Country holds 21 cases while the Outback has room for 22 and the E-class, 24.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Infotainment and Connectivity
The V90 Cross Country comes with a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a vertically oriented 9.0-inch center touchscreen that includes features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Navigation, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, and in-car Wi-Fi are also standard.
The Sensus Connect infotainment interface looks nice and is fairly intuitive but is often slow to respond to inputs, especially within the first few minutes of starting the car.
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| 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country |
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volvo has earned a reputation for producing some of the safest cars on the market. It's a reputation the company clearly intends on maintaining, as illustrated by the abundance of standard driver-assistance features on the V90 Cross Country.
However, it hasn't been tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at the time of writing this post.
Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with a semi-autonomous driving mode
2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volvo offers warranty protection that is similar to its competitors but gets extra points for offering the longest period of complimentary scheduled maintenance in the class.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Power-train warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles.
2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country
