Volvo and wagon are synonymous. No other brand is as closely related to this body style. From the Duett to the 240 and the modern V60 and V90, the wagon body style is Volvo’s DNA. These cars always made enthusiasts like us jump for joy because they’re the perfect one-car solution. No other exemplified this ethos better than the Volvo V90 Cross Country. Alongside its smaller sibling, the V60 Cross Country, it brought the best of every body style: wagon, sedan, and SUV.
Together with Subaru, Volvo helped create this genre of wagon in the 1990s with the V70 XC, which later became the XC70 before evolving into the Cross Country lineup. A lifted ride height, generous ground clearance, and versatility, all while preserving the standard model’s well-balanced driving dynamics. The V90 Cross Country showed why Volvo sets the standard among wagons. Let’s take a look back to see why this formula truly represents peak Volvo.
Volvo V90 Cross Country: Timeless Modernism
One look at the V90 Cross Country and it’s clear just how much it embraced Scandinavian design. This wagon was pure Volvo. Timeless and modern in that classy minimalist sense. The average consumer wouldn’t even guess that its exterior design dated back to 2017. Its beauty proved that a well-executed design stood the test of time. From the classic long roof profile to its rugged body cladding and Volvo’s trademark Thor’s hammer LED headlights, the V90 Cross Country exudes luxury without shouting. This lifted wagon was the ideal blend of Scandinavian elegance.
Stepping inside the V90’s cabin was like entering a sanctuary. Exceptional material quality and sound insulation made it a truly serene place. Like the exterior, the interior didn’t scream from the rooftops. It’s all about quiet and restrained confidence. Every surface you touch feels expensive. Nice matte wood trim, Nappa leather, and an electronic shifter made from Orrefors crystal? Classy and luxurious without being obnoxious. Most importantly, the V90 doesn’t sacrifice practicality. It comfortably sat four and had plenty of room for gear with the second row up or down. It even came with cool extras like built-in booster seats, massaging front seats, and a head-up display!
Meanwhile, the tech features varied based on the model year. Towards the end of its life cycle, the V90 Cross Country got Google Built-In, which was user-friendly. However, the nine-inch touchscreen was slow to respond and had one too many submenus. Additionally, the display itself seemed too small, resulting in tiny icons. On the other hand, the available Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system rocked. Immersive, clear, and simply one of the best in-car listening experiences ever. Meanwhile, the full driver assistance suite worked well and never got intrusive. Pilot Assist made traffic seamless, allowing the driver to stay more alert.
Smooth and Confident
Volvos drive with a distinct confidence that helps it stand out. The V90 Cross Country is no different. Despite its slight lift over the standard model, it retained its composure. As a result, body roll is minimal, and it has no problem eating up twisty roads. Although the steering is direct, it veers on the lighter side and can feel disconnected. Meanwhile, ride comfort impressed. Even when equipped with 20-inch wheels, the V90 Cross Country glided through imperfect roads filled with potholes and ruts. However, we’d avoid going up to the available 21-inch wheel options, though, since they make the ride flinty.
This combination of comfort and poise came paired with responsive power. Initially, the V90 Cross Country offered two engine options: the T5 and T6. Both used a 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. In typical Volvo fashion, the T5 was turbocharged, resulting in 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the T6 upped the ante by strapping on a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 296 lb-ft. Volvo even offered Polestar Engineered tunes that remapped transmission calibrations for sharper response and increased output. In the T5, ratings increased to 258 hp and 295 lb-ft, while the T6 jumped to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft.
In 2022, Volvo refreshed the V90 Cross Country and consolidated the engine lineup to the B6. This took the T6 engine and added a 48-volt mild hybrid system with a starter generator, producing 13 hp and 30 lb-ft of torque. Although power dropped to 295 hp, torque increased to 310 lb-ft, resulting in effortless power and crisper, more immediate shifts from the transmission. Refinement without sacrificing responsiveness. Want more? The optional Polestar Optimization tune added an overboost function that bumped power to 317 hp and 330 lb-ft for 20 seconds.
Volvo V90 Cross Country: Quintessentially Scandinavian
It’s no surprise that a wagon best embodies the Volvo spirit. The V90 Cross Country and the smaller V60 Cross Country were the best examples of this. Refined, effortless, and luxurious with a healthy dose of engagement wrapped in timeless design. This defined Scandinavian luxury, the understated kind that whispers instead of shouts.
With Volvo headed towards an all-electric future, it’s poised to bring back its legendary wagon on the SPA3 platform shared with the EX60. This time, it may be more of a compact-sized model similar to the outgoing V60. Regardless, this new model, likely dubbed EV60, must live up to the standard set by Volvo’s past wagons. Cross Country models, cars wearing R and Polestar Engineered badges, and the original turbo bricks all set the bar high.
The V60 and V90 both lived up to their predecessors across all of their variants. That’s why we adore them in all of their iterations. The successor must live up to every Volvo wagon before it and bring more to the table to stay competitive.
