Luxury wagons are the new crossovers, at least according to Volvo. The Swedish automaker makes a strong argument in the form of the now V90 Cross Country, a taller version of the standard V90. With an additional 2.2 inches of ground clearance, the V90 Cross Country can take you places no ordinary wagon dares to go.
What's New for 2017
The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country is an all-new model. It shares its platform and running gear with the V90, which is also new. Both vehicles are based on the S90, Volvo’s flagship sedan.
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The all-wheel drive V90 Cross Country is powered by Volvo’s T6 engine. This supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers small V8-like power, producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Cross Country is mono-spec, meaning it has just one trim level. The latest version of Volvo’s Sensus infotainment and navigation system is present, as is a Bowers & Wilkins audio package. There are few available configurations with this model, although a Luxury package brings in a leather interior, and a Convenience package adds automated parking, among other upgrades.
A plug-in hybrid e variant making 400 horsepower is destined for other markets. There is no word yet on whether the U.S. market will be similarly served.
Volvo includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration as standard equipment. We’ve seen competitors charge for one or the other as an accessory upgrade, typically adding at least $300 to the price.
Safety is Volvo’s strong suit, and beyond the rearview camera, you’ll find features like collision mitigation with emergency braking, lane departure warning and intervention, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The Cross Country has few rivals. The Audi Allroad and Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain are two potential competitors that come to mind. That said, the Cross Country creates a half-step between the upcoming V90 wagon and the XC90 crossover, with a risk of cannibalizing sales from the other two models. Volvo’s experiment is too new for us to accurately gauge its success. That's something consumers will determine when comparing the threesome and making their buying decisions.