Volvo has been fairly successful in India with the launch of its Cross Country model range that first started out with the V40 Cross Country hatchback. And while station wagons haven't really piqued the taste of Indian car buyers, Volvo is still confident that, with the V90 Cross Country, they still might have a shot at customers who would prefer its rugged looks and luxurious, high-quality cabin over a sedan or SUV. The V90 Cross Country brings with it a combination of increased ground clearance, adaptive air suspension at the rear, practicality, all-wheel-drive and a hint of off-roading pedigree as well.
Exterior
There are lots of styling cues on the V90 that look similar to the ones on the S90 sedan. From up front, the huge, chrome-lined grille, flanked by the Thor LED headlamps and the wide bonnet, are all details that will have you spot the S90 sedan. With the additional body cladding all around, it looks brawnier. Along the sides, the surfacing is smooth, and there is a belt line that runs the length of the wagon. And the cladded wheel arches house massive 20-inch wheels. At the rear, it gets a protruding tail gate and the signature L-shaped tail lamps, like the ones seen on the XC60 SUV. Also, it boasts of a shapely bumper and stylish dual-exit exhausts. Ground clearance has been increased by 60mm, making it hugely capable over rough terrain as well.
Variants
The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country variants are as follows: D5 Inscription. Features include full LED headlamps with active high beam and bending function, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, Nappa leather perforated leather, heat and cooled front seats with a massage function, rain-sensing wipers, Adaptive Cruise Control, tyre pressure monitoring system, Heads-Up display, 4-zone climate control, rear camera, panoramic sunroof, and a 1400 Watt, 19-speaker Bower & Wilkins audio system. On the safety front, it is equipped with Park Assist Pilot, radar-guided distance alert, ABS with EBD, traction control, Brake Assist, Hill Descent Control, multiple airbags and ESP.
Interior
Inside the cabin too, there is a lot that resembles the S90. The dashboard looks minimalist, and there's a lovely 9-inch touchscreen unit placed in the middle, leaving no room whatsoever for the buttons, knobs and switches. On either side of the screen, there are slim AC vents that look really cool. Also, the dashboard and doors get aluminium panels. One of the colour themes for the interior is a tan-leather shade. The seats at the front provide good lumbar support and comfort; so do the ones at the rear. Two occupants can be seated at the back without any hassles, while the rear-most jump seat is best suited for children. It can also be electrically released to free up more luggage room. Boot space, at 560 litres, is great - and the seats can be put down to increase the capacity to 1526 litres.
Engine Specifications & Performance
The Volvo V90 Cross Country is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that makes 235bhp and 480Nm of torque, with all that power being channeled to all four wheels. Paired to the engine is an 8-speed automatic transmission. Sitting in the cabin, there's barely any engine noise heard. It delivers power in a linear manner, but as the RPM needle climbs higher, the engine tends to get a bit coarse. In the city, the gearbox shifts smoothly, without much effort. It gets four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Off-road and Dynamic. In Eco mode, the engine doesn't feel too responsive, while Comfort mode results in a weightier steering and better engine response. In Dynamic, the springs get a bit stiff. Off-road mode ensures there's sufficient power being sent to the rear wheels. The handling is rather relaxed, but instills confidence in the driver. It is also very stable at high speeds. And bumps are soaked in with aplomb.
Mileage
The Volvo V90 Cross Country's ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure is rated at 12.5kmpl for the diesel model.
