Is the 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country a Good Wagon? 6 Pros and 6 Cons

As a ruggedly styled, all-wheel-drive luxury wagon, the 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country is sorta like choosing to be on your high school cross-country team rather than going out for, say, football or basketball: It’s admirable and aspirational in its own right … buuut nobody really cares about it except other cross-country people.

Which brings us to the main thing we appreciate about the V90 Cross Country, in a general sense: It’s a wagon. And in an era in which SUVs couldn’t be more “in” while wagons could scarcely be less cool, this kid- and cargo-accommodating car endears itself to us merely by virtue of its body style — and not just for the sake of contrarianism.

Related: 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country Review: The Almost-Luxury Anti-SUV

That said, this off-road-influenced estate is far from getting us to jump on its bandwagon, and it’s got some issues to address if Volvo hopes to improve this wagon’s station relative to rivals from other European luxury automakers. For our full take, follow the related link above to Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley’s comprehensive critique; for a rapid-fire rundown of the pros and cons, keep reading.

Here are six things we like (and six not so much) about the 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country:

Things We Like

1. This Wagon Ain’t Laggin’

The Cross Country is powered by a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine boosted by both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger, putting out 295 horsepower and 310 pounds-feet of torque — plenty to launch the wagon from the on ramp and confidently into the flow of freeway traffic.

2. Luxury Accommodations

The V90 has an A1 interior. Hanley’s test car boasted premium cabin appointments including light-gray leather upholstery and oak wood trim, and he noted that the driver’s seat comfortably accommodates taller drivers (driver headroom is another story; more on that below).

3. Good Lookin’ Out

Roof pillars are thin, windows are large, and side mirrors are well positioned, combining for impressive all-around visibility. Rear passengers, meanwhile, have sky to spare courtesy of the V90’s standard panoramic moonroof.

4. Plenteous Cargo

The Cross Country’s 18.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (according to Cars.com’s independent measurements) isn’t the biggest among rivals, but it’s still accommodating. Plus, when the second row is down, the rear backrest folds flush with the cargo floor, extending the load surface even further.

5. You Have Clearance

To go with its rugged, off-road-ready exterior styling, the Cross Country’s 8.3 inches of ground clearance is roughly 30% more than that of the regular V90 wagon. What’s more, it manages the extra lift without making the liftover height prohibitive for those stuck loading the family’s luggage before hitting the road.

6. Value Proposition

The V90 Cross Country’s $57,295 starting price (including a $1,095 destination charge) is attractive compared to those of pricier (albeit more powerful) Audi and Mercedes-Benz wagons. Optional features brought the price of the test car Hanley reviewed to $61,990 — still a relative bargain, all things considered.

More From Cars.com:

• Shopping for a 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country? Research One, Here
• Find a 2022 Volvo V90 Cross Country for Sale Near You, Now
• Volvo Pumps the Brakes on Gas Engines, Electrifies All 2023 Models
• 2022 Volvo XC60 Recharge Gets Powertrain Upgrade, All-Electric Range of 35 Miles
• Is the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin a Good SUV? 7 Pros and 3 Cons

Things We Don’t

1. Puny Passing Power

Despite its eagerness to get up to highway speeds, the Cross Country doesn’t display the same urgency when it comes to overtaking other vehicles. Hanley also noted in his review that the eight-speed automatic transmission sometimes stumbled when kicking down for more passing power.

2. The Going Gets Rough

The ride is generally agreeable … as long as it goes unchallenged by less-than-smooth pavement. If you’re going cross-country in the Cross Country, you’re bound to encounter some rough roads, and these will unsettle the fixed-suspension-equipped V90 (an air suspension is optional). On the bright side, it may take your mind off the road noise that infiltrates the cabin at higher speeds.

3. The Bad Touch(screen)

How do we loathe thee, Cross Country multimedia system? Let us count the ways:

• Only 9 inches doesn’t really cut it anymore among the 12- and 15-inch-plus screens now available.
• The multimedia interface’s onscreen graphics don’t compare favorably with current offerings commonly found elsewhere.
• The system’s Android Automotive operating system precludes basic Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

4. Gets Into Your Headspace

Do you remember Max Headroom from the ’80s? Well, it’s more like Min. Headroom in V90s if you’re a taller driver. The Cross Country’s standard panoramic moonroof decreases dome space.

5. Not Much Better in Back

Sorry, tall people, but you can’t hide from your Cross Country comfort concerns in the backseat, either. The rear-seat cushion is shortish and set low, elevating taller occupants’ legs. And while legroom back there is adequate, that center floor hump cuts into the middle passenger’s foot space.

6. Insists on Being Right All the Time

When it comes to automated safety and driver-assist features, quirks like overaggressive lane centering or nagging alerts aren’t uncommon, but the Cross Country’s Pilot Assist hands-on driver-assist system can be downright distressing at times. While it can maintain vehicle speed and lane positioning from a stop all the way up to 80 mph, it is particularly sweet on the right side of the lane — an anxiety-inducing preference if there’s another lane of traffic to your right.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.