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

The 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Region is an achingly quite wagon, with a refined all-wheel-travel process, a great deal of ground clearance and cargo house for days. It also provides decent gas economic climate and a person of the most effective interiors in the luxurious house. Why acquire another SUV when you could have this rather?

The V90 Cross Region is driven by the T6 model of Volvo’s ubiquitous 4-cylinder motor, bolted to an eight-speed automated transmission. In this scenario, the two.-liter I4 has the two a supercharger and a turbocharger, and produces a healthy 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It is not the sweetest-sounding or smoothest motor all over, but it works nicely and returns an EPA-believed 20 miles for each gallon in the town, thirty mpg on the highway and 24 mpg blended — numbers that I found quick to achieve, even with the extra aerodynamic drag of a roof box.

Acceleration in the Cross Region is brisk, thanks to the reduced-end torque afforded by the twin-charged motor, nevertheless it tends to operate out of steam at better revs. As with most Volvos, the motor lacks drama for improved or even worse, made to just get you in which you have to have to go. The eight-speed automated transmission never huts for gears and shifts at acceptable areas, so it also largely fades into the track record.

The V90 Cross Region is a luxurious vehicle at its core and the way it drives reflects that. The optional ($one,two hundred) Four-C adaptive air suspension is great, isolating travellers from all but the gnarliest street imperfections, but not so a lot that the V90 feels disconnected from the street. The steering is immediate but not terribly communicative, and the brakes are great, exhibiting no discernible fade even on very long, speedy descents down mountain roadways. Overall, the V90 Cross Region isn’t really what I might contact fascinating to travel, but it won’t have to have to be. It is damn relaxed and super quick to reside with — just like any superior luxurious vehicle should really be.

The V90 is a tiny previous, but it still provides to start with-amount protection tech. Volvo’s Town Safety suite of techniques is regular on each individual V90 Cross Region, which consists of automated unexpected emergency braking, lane-hold aid, adaptive cruise manage, a 360-diploma digital camera and additional. These, blended with Volvo’s strong chassis layout, are sufficient to internet the brand nine IIHS protection awards.

Volvo surely knows how to make a nice inside, and the V90 Cross Country’s cabin is stellar. Volvo’s seats have traditionally been some of the most effective in the business, presenting great comfort and ease even following hrs on the street, and that is absolutely real with the V90. These chairs are incredibly supportive and adjustable, and clad in delicate perforated leather-based. The seats in my tester are heated and cooled and provide massage features, as nicely. In brief, they’re ace.

The relaxation of the inside is thoughtfully laid out, with all controls within quick reach and very simple to use. Volvo also deserves bonus points listed here for the exclusive end on the several knobs and wheels, which is not only beautiful to glance at, but feels nice under your fingers. The relaxation of the inside continues alongside that line, with wonderful attention to detail and tiny bits of flair, making it come to feel like a thing really distinctive in contrast to the normally staid cabins of German luxurious automakers.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment tech is satisfactory, and beautiful, but this process that seemed so forward-contemplating just a couple yrs ago now feels relatively dated. The nine-inch touchscreen provides quicker response times than right before and the two Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are regular, but I can not wait for Volvo to combine its new Android Automotive tech into its total lineup. This is the process you can expect to locate in the new Polestar two, and it can be wonderful.

1 of the V90’s highlights is the Bowers & Wilkins top quality stereo process. Usually, I am quite indifferent to B&W techniques, but listed here, you get the alternative to digitally transform the listening surroundings. It might seem to be like a gimmick, but the Gothenburg Concert Hall location is truly superb and provides a whole lot to the listening knowledge. For audiophiles like me, this is a large gain.

Currently being a luxurious vehicle, the V90 Cross Region isn’t really low-priced. But in contrast to a whole lot of similarly equipped luxurious SUVs — like Volvo’s own XC90 — it can be a tiny significantly less expensive. The V90 Cross Region begins at $fifty six,690 like $one,095 for location, and my nicely-equipped exam motor vehicle has a sticker price of $sixty seven,740. Given the way the Cross Region appears to be like, feels and drives, that price is reasonable.

This Volvo’s closest rivals are the Audi A6 Allroad and Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain, and while the V90 holds its own, the Germans out-accomplish it in a couple vital approaches. The V90 has a optimum cargo ability of 53.nine cubic feet, while the Audi A6 Allroad and Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain provide about 64. The Volvo is also down on electric power in contrast to the two Germans, which use moderate-hybrid setups the Audi provides 335 hp and 369 lb-ft, while the Mercedes delivers 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. Audi and Mercedes provide a lot improved cabin tech, too.

Even so, the Volvo is just as nice to travel, each individual bit as relaxed and arguably improved to glance at. These rivals might be more recent, but I might still have the V90 around the two. This wagon provides all the things you’d talk to from a two-row SUV, save for an elevated driving posture and perhaps some towing capacity (the Cross Region can still pull 3,500 kilos, nonetheless). It is relaxed, spacious, handsome and quick to reside with. SUV drivers you should not know what they’re missing.