As I’ve said before, and I will say it again, wagons are not bad after all. They are still quite fun to drive around and have the space that a small SUV might have. I drove the 2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country and it was great as it was comfortable, decent amount of passenger space and cargo space, and has a great looking interior.
Engine/Transmission
The Volvo V90 CC has a 2.0L direct injected turbocharged engine with an electric supercharger meaning it is a mild hybrid. It produces 295hp and 310lb-ft of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2024 V90 is rated at 10.7L/100km in a city and 8.1L/100km on a hwy. I averaged 11.8L/100km with mainly city driving.
Performance/Handling
Although it may not be as sporty as its competitors, it still is a fun drive especially when cornering on a windy road. It has great acceleration from a stop. Volvo claims a 0-60mph (96k/h) in a little over 6 seconds. If you decide to drive enthusiastically, you will have no issues with overtaking other vehicles, it is responsive to your inputs. If you decide to drive calmly, it becomes a smooth drive.
Comfort
When it comes to Volvo, I don’t have issues with comfort. The seats are very well cushioned for back and butt support. I can sit for longer periods without feeling tired or irritated. I had no issues with leg space or head room and with my seating position, I was still able to fit comfortably in the rear seat. The front seats have 4-way lumbar support, backrest massaging seats, and my all-time favourite in a car is the cushion extension; this is perfect for those with long legs, it provides extra support for your thighs.
Interior
After a few Volvo demos I’ve had in the past year, I wanted to believe that I would never come across the issue most tend to have with the infotainment system. Unfortunately, I did. Although it is straightforward to use, it is annoying that it ended up not working properly. It is a 9.0-inch touchscreen and is Google based which is responsive when it is working properly that is. The infotainment system froze on me a couple of times while driving. Other than the screen issue, the interior is beautiful. The interior is what draws me to Volvos. It is subtle but super classy looking. The Mercedes on the other hand is bright and colourful and it’s the fun one to be in. Comparing the two however, the Mercedes E450 has more passenger space and cargo space than the V90 CC. The E450 has 640L of cargo capacity with the rear seats up and 1,820L with the rear seats folded whereas the V90 has 723L with the rear seats up and 1,526L with the rear seats folded. Keep in mind that the E450 is a 7-passenger wagon, but those far back seats are for little children only.
Exterior
The exterior of a wagon is something that I still am getting used to but since I spent most of the time inside the wagon, I didn’t mind that I’m not fully there with how it looks. It is equipped with a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, and great looking front side with the grille.
Pros/Cons
When it comes to wagons, there are better options like the Mercedes E450 if you want a luxury wagon or the Subaru Outback if you want a true off-road and not so much a luxury wagon. These are known to have more space than the V90 CC and are more engaging to drive. The issue with the infotainment system can also be a big deal as it is not something you want to experience or expect in an expensive vehicle. Although the V90 CC has better points than the others in terms of safety and driver’s assistance features, this may or may not be a deal breaker when deciding to purchase a Volvo. The starting price of the 2024 V90 CC is $84,625CAD ($67,935USD).
2024 Volvo V90 Cross Country Gallery
