Show all photos
Everyone loves a station wagon. Or at least they should. If you don’t, the Volvo V90 Cross Country is probably not for you. Even if we think it’s great.
Engine
Horsepower
MPG
Max Seating
Basic Warranty
We’re understandably biased with the V90 Cross Country and other wagons, being big fans of this body style. There are, however, practical limits to wagons that are a big part of the reason crossovers and sport utilities have largely taken over the market. Cargo space and interior roominess are the biggest among these.
The lower step-in height and better weight balance of a station wagon, however, remain appealing points. The 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country is larger than most of its competitors, in terms of interior spaciousness, and drives very well.
The off-road focus of the Cross Country (now the only V90 option), does mean more road noise inside the cabin and a slightly bumpier ride. But this Volvo is very stylish and, as with a lot of wagons now, stands apart from the usual crowd of premium SUVs.
We like the 2024 V90 Cross Country a lot, but it’s not going to be for everyone.
Car Talk researchers have tested this vehicle and decided to award it a 7.3 out of 10 based on our years of expertise and stringent criteria.
7.3/10
8/10
7/10
7/10
The V90 Cross Country is one of the last of the station wagons available in the U.S. The luxury realm contains only the Audi A6 Allroad and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as wagon options in our market.
The Audi A6 Allroad is very comparable to the Volvo, though its focus on sporty driving means that its similar off-road design is less comfortable as a luxury option. The Allroad has, in our opinion, not aged as well as the V90.
The E-Class All-Terrain is a wagon that gets very little attention in the U.S. That’s too bad as it’s a solid competitor against the V90 Cross Country and should be cross-shopped. The Mercedes has the brand’s signature luxury and road appeal, making it a strong option against Volvo's Scandinavian approach.
The starting price for the V90 Cross Country is about $60,000. After delivery and the addition of options most likely to appeal to buyers, though, expect to pay closer to $66,000 for your V90.
The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.
There have been no significant changes to the V90 Cross Country for 2024. The Volvo wagon did receive some updates in 2023 as a refresh to add some trim level content and features. These carry over into 2024.
The 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country is powered by a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This includes a mild hybrid system to remove accessories from the engine to improve efficiency. The system combines for 295 horsepower, which is more than adequate for a vehicle of the V90’s size. An eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard equipment.
The Volvo V90 Cross Country rides a little higher for better off-pavement performance, but is not really an off-road vehicle. It’s suitable for inclement weather driving, dirt roads, and the like. When driven on road or in those off-pavement situations, the V90 does very well.
Station wagon designs are naturally weight balanced, which is part of what made them popular in their heyday. That weight balance brings comfortable and predictable road-going maneuverability. The V90 has all of these as upsides.
Cargo space, while not as large as what would be found in an equivalent crossover-SUV, is still very ample in the Volvo V90. For many, it will also be more accessible thanks to the car’s lower load height. And, unlike many crossovers of this size, the Volvo V90 Cross Country has an accessible roof rack as well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not crash tested the 2024 model year V90, but has crash tested previous model years. Because the car is largely unchanged, those crash tests are still relevant. As expected, this Volvo performed very well in those tests.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Volvo V90 top scores across the board for crashworthiness, but a second-best “Acceptable” for headlights, keeping the car from making the coveted Top Safety Pick list. We still think of this as a win, overall, with Volvo retaining its reputation for high safety standards.
The Volvo V90 Cross Country has about average reliability for the segment. Compared to vehicles in the overall market, though, that means the V90 is less reliable than average.
Consumer Reports, RepairPal, and J.D. Power all consider the Volvo brand on the whole as less-than-average for reliability. The V90 in particular is considered less reliable than new cars overall and about average for the luxury segments.
For the small price jump to the upper trim level with all of its added features, we think that the more upscale Volvo V90 Ultimate is well worth the price. The only options package available for the V90 is for cold climates and is worth having if you live where winter is a real occurrence.
Silver Dawn Metallic
Platinum Grey Metallic
Vapour Grey Metallic
Denim Blue Metallic
Bright Dusk Metallic
Crystal White Metallic
Onyx Black Metallic
Charcoal, leather
Maroon Brown, premium leather
Blond, leather
Volvo’s warranty coverage for the V90 Cross Country is about average for the segment. Included roadside assistance, however, is a big bonus.
![]() Volvo V90 Cross Country | ||
Basic | 4 yr./ 50,000 mi. | 4 yr./ 60,000 mi. |
Powertrain | 4 yr./ 50,000 mi. | 6 yr./ 70,000 mi. |
Corrosion | 12 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Certified used models of the Volvo V90 Cross Country are covered by a factory-endorsed warranty of up to five years with unlimited mileage. This option is worth looking at when considering a used V90.