Overview

The Cross Country version of the sleek V90 estate adds a touch more versatility to Volvo’s already excellent luxury estate car.

All-wheel drive as standard, a raised ride height and a couple of electronic off-road gadgets separate the Cross Country from a regular V90, yet the cosseting interior and excellent refinement remain.

Volvo doesn’t have the market to itself – Audi makes an Allroad version of the A6 while Mercedes-Benz produces an E-Class All-Terrain, plus there’s the rugged Subaru Outback – but the big Swede does enough to make itself a viable alternative without having to rely on its alternative, non-German roots.

• READ: Volvo V90 Cross Country vs off-road estate rivals

Accomplished on- and off-road manners

As well as offering the same silky-smooth D4 and D5 diesel engines as the regular V90, the Cross Country variant retains the stable, controlled feel of its more road-focused brother.

It’s only when really pushing on through high speed bends that the softer suspension and raised ride-height of the V90 Cross Country become apparent. It’s not perfect, though. Even on optional air-suspension the Volvo struggles to maintain its composure over large bumps or potholes as effectively as its rivals.

Superb interior and seats

One of the highlights of the Volvo V90 Cross Country is the sumptuous interior and squashy, supportive seats – some of the most comfortable we’ve ever experienced in a car.

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Elsewhere there’s lashings of high-quality wood and leather punctuated by a handful of buttons – the majority of the vehicle’s functions are controlled via the nine-inch central portrait touchscreen. Like the seats it’s one of the best on the market and offers a bright, clear display which is incredibly responsive to inputs from the user.

Class-leading safety features

Volvo is renowned for the safety of its cars and the V90 is no different. Scoring the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating and boasting a huge range of clever electronic safety aids, the Volvo’s occupant protection is second-to-none.

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For many family-orientated buyers, it might just be the defining factor when it comes to buying the Volvo over its rivals.

Further upping the safety stakes, Volvo has announced that all models, including the V90 Cross Country, sold from 2020 will have an electronically capped top speed of 112mph.