2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country review: Who needs an SUV?

The 2021 Volvo V90 Cross State is an achingly very wagon, with a complex all-wheel-drive procedure, loads of ground clearance and cargo space for days. It also offers decent gasoline financial state and a person of the very best interiors in the luxurious space. Why obtain another SUV when you could have this rather?

The V90 Cross State is run by the T6 edition of Volvo’s ubiquitous 4-cylinder motor, bolted to an eight-pace automatic transmission. In this case, the 2.-liter I4 has both a supercharger and a turbocharger, and creates a wholesome 316 horsepower and 295 pound-toes of torque. It is really not the sweetest-sounding or smoothest motor all over, but it is effective very well and returns an EPA-estimated twenty miles for every gallon in the city, 30 mpg on the freeway and 24 mpg combined — quantities that I located straightforward to accomplish, even with the more aerodynamic drag of a roof box.

Acceleration in the Cross State is brisk, thanks to the reduced-stop torque afforded by the twin-charged motor, while it tends to run out of steam at increased revs. As with most Volvos, the motor lacks drama for far better or even worse, intended to just get you in which you have to have to go. The eight-pace automatic transmission never huts for gears and shifts at appropriate sites, so it also mainly fades into the background.

The V90 Cross State is a luxurious car or truck at its main and the way it drives demonstrates that. The optional ($one,200) 4-C adaptive air suspension is exceptional, isolating travellers from all but the gnarliest road imperfections, but not so substantially that the V90 feels disconnected from the road. The steering is immediate but not terribly communicative, and the brakes are exceptional, exhibiting no discernible fade even on extended, rapid descents down mountain roadways. All round, the V90 Cross State is not what I would contact thrilling to drive, but it won’t have to have to be. It is really damn at ease and tremendous straightforward to reside with — just like any very good luxurious car or truck really should be.

The V90 is a minor outdated, but it however offers 1st-rate basic safety tech. Volvo’s Town Basic safety suite of units is common on just about every V90 Cross State, which includes automatic crisis braking, lane-maintain aid, adaptive cruise regulate, a 360-degree digital camera and much more. These, combined with Volvo’s robust chassis design and style, are sufficient to internet the brand nine IIHS basic safety awards.

Volvo absolutely understands how to make a nice interior, and the V90 Cross Country’s cabin is stellar. Volvo’s seats have historically been some of the very best in the enterprise, presenting exceptional consolation even following several hours on the road, and which is definitely legitimate with the V90. These chairs are exceptionally supportive and adjustable, and clad in comfortable perforated leather-based. The seats in my tester are heated and cooled and present massage performance, as very well. In shorter, they are ace.

The rest of the interior is thoughtfully laid out, with all controls within just straightforward attain and very simple to use. Volvo also warrants reward points here for the unique finish on the many knobs and wheels, which is not only eye-catching to seem at, but feels nice below your fingers. The rest of the interior continues alongside that line, with terrific awareness to detail and minor bits of aptitude, generating it feel like a thing really special as opposed to the typically staid cabins of German luxurious automakers.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment tech is suitable, and eye-catching, but this procedure that seemed so ahead-pondering just a several many years back now feels fairly dated. The 9-inch touchscreen offers more rapidly reaction instances than in advance of and both Apple CarPlay and Android Car are common, but I can’t wait for Volvo to integrate its new Android Automotive tech into its whole lineup. This is the procedure you’ll discover in the new Polestar 2, and it is terrific.

A single of the V90’s highlights is the Bowers & Wilkins high quality stereo procedure. Commonly, I am reasonably indifferent to B&W units, but here, you get the option to digitally transform the listening setting. It could possibly look like a gimmick, but the Gothenburg Live performance Hall placing is genuinely wonderful and provides a lot to the listening encounter. For audiophiles like me, this is a massive gain.

Currently being a luxurious car or truck, the V90 Cross State is not low-cost. But as opposed to a lot of equally equipped luxurious SUVs — including Volvo’s individual XC90 — it is a minor fewer costly. The V90 Cross State starts at $56,690 including $one,095 for destination, and my very well-equipped test automobile has a sticker cost of $sixty seven,740. Supplied the way the Cross State looks, feels and drives, that cost is realistic.

This Volvo’s closest competition are the Audi A6 Allroad and Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain, and although the V90 holds its individual, the Germans out-complete it in a several vital strategies. The V90 has a utmost cargo potential of 53.9 cubic toes, although the Audi A6 Allroad and Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain present about sixty four. The Volvo is also down on electric power as opposed to the two Germans, which use delicate-hybrid setups the Audi offers 335 hp and 369 lb-ft, although the Mercedes brings 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. Audi and Mercedes present substantially far better cabin tech, as well.

Even so, the Volvo is just as nice to drive, just about every bit as at ease and arguably far better to seem at. These competition could possibly be newer, but I would however have the V90 in excess of both. This wagon offers almost everything you would request from a two-row SUV, conserve for an elevated driving position and possibly some towing ability (the Cross State can however pull three,five hundred lbs, even so). It is really at ease, roomy, handsome and straightforward to reside with. SUV drivers don’t know what they are missing.