Car Talk

2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country

Reviewed by

Aaron Turpen

car#46 In Best SUVs
2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country
2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country front view
2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country side and back view
2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country back view
2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country back seat interior

Show all photos

Summary

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.

The Good
  • Stylish look inside and out
  • Very comfortable
The Bad
  • Rough ride due to all-terrain focus
The New
  • No big changes for 2024
Engine
Mild hybrid

Engine

Horsepower
295

Horsepower

MPG
29 highway

MPG

Max Seating
5

Max Seating

Basic Warranty
4 yr./ 50,000 mi.

Basic Warranty

Verdict - Is the Volvo V90 Cross Country a Good SUV?

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.

Overall Car Talk Award

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

We have reviewed all of the following aspects of this vehicle.

Value

8/10

The price of this vehicle is in-line with most other vehicles in its class.
Performance

7/10

This drives a little better than most other vehicles in the class.
Comfort & Technology

7/10

This interior is on par with other interiors in the class in terms of comfort and tech.

Volvo V90 Cross Country vs. The Competition

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.

2024 Infiniti QX60

INFINITI QX60 2024

Volvo V90 Cross Country vs Audi A6 Allroad

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.

Volvo V90 Cross Country vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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.

How Much Does a Volvo V90 Cross Country Cost?

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.

What's New for the Volvo V90 Cross Country in 2024?

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.

Performance - How Does the Volvo V90 Cross Country Drive?

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.

Safety - How Safe is the Volvo V90 Cross Country?

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.

Reliability & Quality - Is the Volvo V90 Cross Country Reliable?

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.

Features - What Volvo V90 Cross Country Options Are Worth It?

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.

Exterior colors

Silver Dawn Metallic

Platinum Grey Metallic

Vapour Grey Metallic

Denim Blue Metallic

Bright Dusk Metallic

Crystal White Metallic

Onyx Black Metallic

Interior colors

Charcoal, leather

Maroon Brown, premium leather

Blond, leather

Warranty - What is the Volvo V90 Cross Country Warranty?

Volvo’s warranty coverage for the V90 Cross Country is about average for the segment. Included roadside assistance, however, is a big bonus.

  • Basic: 4 years / 50k miles
  • PowerTrain: 4 years / 50k miles
  • Hybrid components: 8 years / 80k miles
  • Roadside assistance: 4 years / Unlimited miles
  • Certified Used: Up to 5 years / Unlimited miles
  • If buying used look at our best extended warranties
Volvo V90 Cross Country-image

Volvo V90 Cross Country

Basic4 yr./ 50,000 mi.4 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Powertrain4 yr./ 50,000 mi.6 yr./ 70,000 mi.
Corrosion12 yr./ unlimited mi.7 yr./ unlimited mi.

New or Used - Is Volvo V90 Cross Country Worth Buying Used?

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.

Editor's note and disclaimer: Car Talk is supported by our fans, readers and listeners. When you click on some of the links on our website, we may receive referral compensation. However, you should know that the recommendations we make are based on our independent editorial review and analyses.
Car Talk
Cartalk.com is a production of Cartalk Digital Inc. We offer unbiased reviews and advice, bad jokes and a great community for car owners and shoppers. Happy driving and remember... don't drive like my brother.

Quick Links

HomeCar ReviewsNewsletterCommunity

Popular Topics

CAR TALK® is a trademark of Tappet Brothers LLC exclusively licensed to CarTalk Digital Inc. subject to certain reserved rights. SHAMELESS COMMERCE® is a trademark of Tappet Brothers LLC.
© 2024 Cartalk Digital Inc.