For many families, the choice between an estate car and a SUV can be a difficult one. One person wants the practicality and driving dynamics of an estate car, while the other wants the high driving position of and prestige of a large SUV. Thankfully, a small group of manufacturers will cater to the needs of those families who go out and buy one of each.
Volvo have recently released replacements for their stalwart S80 and V70 models with the new S90 and V90. Along with this they have created a new version of their successful XC70, the Volvo V90 Cross Country.
If youâre not familiar with them, the new range of Volvos are a massive step up in terms of both style and technology, with much talk of them being a great alternative to the âboring Germansâ.
We spent a week with the Volvo V90 D4 AWD Cross Country and were lucky enough to use it for a combination of family duties, commuting into Glasgow and a 300 mile hoon around Perthshire.
The D4 comes as standard with a lot of kit including the enormous nine-inch centre console touch screen which has lifetime map updates and can install new apps. This is probably one of the easiest to use infotainment systems on any car for sale at the moment and should be studied by all other manufacturers.
For many people, the standout bit of kit will be the addition of Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control, meaning the Volvo can cruise on the motorway without you needing to brake, accelerate or steer!
For those of you who havenât tried autonomous driving then it takes a bit of getting used to. One extra selection on the cruise control button takes you to a world of being able to look around at the scenery and change your Spotify playlist without worry of having an accident. While the system is impressive, and Iâve been a long time advocate of adaptive cruise control in cars, even after having driven many miles autonomously, it still makes me nervous.
My main gripe with the systems Iâve tried so far are that they drive too far to the left of a lane (fine when thereâs no traffic but not great when you can reach out and touch the bus driving next to you), and that they react to situations – they canât predict problems like us clever humans. Â For ferrying you in and out of Glasgow through heavy traffic itâs a great addition, just donât get in the back and read a book!
On top of the Pilot Assist system, this car had some nice extras including: Premium Sound by Bowers and Wilkins, Active Four-C Chassis (four-corner adaptive dampers with two-corner (rear) electronic air suspension), HUD, 12.3â active TFT driverâs instrument panel, Winter pack, IntelliSafe Surround and Family pack.
Of the options on the car, Iâd recommend adaptive dampers, HUD and family pack but Iâd struggle to justify the ÂŁ3,000 for the Bowers and Wilkins, even if it does give a lovely sound.
Having got to drive the car on a nice loop around Perthshire, the adaptive dampers came in very handy for tackling some of the poor surfaces which meant our friends in supercars had to slow right down. It also enabled a car which would be over 2,000kg (inc passengers) to corner at a decent rate without too much body roll. The brakes were also up to the job of a spirited drive, something that can quite often ruin the experience of making progress in a ânormalâ car.
The only thing that really let down the package was the engine. The 2.0 diesel is quite noisy and makes overtaking something you really need to plan for. Even driving along the motorway, the sound from the oil burner is noticeable inside the cabin and really lets down what is a lovely place to spend time. 190bhp and 400Nm of torque are fine most of the time but if you are an enthusiast then youâll really want the D5 or a petrol version. While the D5 is a different map of the same 2.0l diesel (no 2.4 I5 anymore) and I donât know if it would sound any smoother, you canât actually get a petrol version of the car…..yet.
Aside from the reduced economy, the class and refinement of the V90 Cross Country mated to the T6 (320bhp) engine or the T8 (407bhp hybrid) would really make this a complete package. Itâs main rival, the Audi A6 Allroad, only comes in 3.0 TDI format so these petrol alternatives could really set it apart in a post Dieselgate world.
For now, I think this is one of the most compete family cars you can buy and a great option for those who struggle to decide when they want an estate or an SUV.
PRICE: ÂŁ35,865 (as tested ÂŁ52,205)
ENGINE: 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder, diesel
POWER: 190Â bhp
TORQUE: 400Â lb ft
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 130 mph, 0-60 mph 8.5 secs
CONSUMPTION: 54.3 mpg (official combined)
CO2: 138 g/km
Tyres: Michelin Latitude Sport 3, 235 35 R18
TT Rating:
