Volvo V90 Cross Country 2021 Review

It's fair to say that no other automaker has been so committed to wagons as Volvo. Whether you're thinking of the Volvo Duett in the early 1950s or the boxy 850 of the 1990s, there's probably something from Volvo's past that will seem familiar. The V90 Cross Country is the brand's biggest. It's just like the regular V90 wagon but has some SUV-like enhancements such as a raised suspension (good for 8.3 inches of ground clearance), standard all-wheel drive and more rugged-looking styling.

For 2021, the V90 Cross Country gets refreshed with updated styling and more tech. Those design tweaks include updated front and rear bumpers, a new taillight design and new wheels. As a whole, it remains the same lifted wagon that debuted a few years back alongside the standard V90 wagon and related S90 sedan. Inside, the two cars are identical, from the design of the dash to the spacious cargo area. And, as with every Volvo, the V90 Cross Country is fitted with some of the latest driver aids and safety features available today.

Volvo has had this class to itself for the past few years. Yes, there are other wagons, but no one made one that offered as much room or ground clearance as the V90 Cross Country. But within the past year, the Audi A6 Allroad has made its return, and Mercedes-Benz has introduced the E-Class All-Terrain. Both are aimed squarely at the V90 Cross Country. There's also the smaller Audi A4 Allroad, but that's closer in size and price to Volvo's own V60 Cross Country. Overall, we're fond of the V90 Cross Country and certainly recommend giving it a look.

Which V90 Cross Country does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country is only available in a single trim level: T6. It's powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission are standard.

T6 Standard equipment on the Volvo V90 Cross Country includes:

• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Auto-dimming mirrors
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Leather upholstery
• Heated steering wheel
• 12.3-inch touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Wireless charging pad
• Power-operated cargo cover
• Two front and two rear USB-C ports

Standard safety features and driver aids include:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volvo and the car in front; can also read traffic signs)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)

The V90 Cross Country's option packages include:

• Advanced package
• Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
• 360-degree surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the V90 Cross Country and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Ambient interior lighting
• Climate package
• Heated wiper blades
• Heated rear seats
• Lounge package
• Ventilated front seats
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Rear window sunshades
• Massaging function and more power adjustments for the front seats
• Upgraded interior trim

There are also a few stand-alone options, such as:

• Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system
• Adaptive air suspension system (can adjust the vehicle's ride height and ride comfort)
• Second-row integrated child booster seats