There aren't many people who'd have a jacked-up estate before an SUV. However, a UK drive of the Volvo V90 Cross Country has left us wondering why that is.

PROS:

+ Comfy and quiet to drive

+ High-quality interior

+ Great engines

CONS:

- There are bigger boots around...

- ...and sharper estates to drive

- Infotainment system still average

Verdict: The Volvo V90 Cross Country is classy, comfy, high-quality transport. If you don't care about a high driving position, it's well worth a test drive before many premium SUVs. Just know there are bigger boots than the V90's and better infotainment systems.

2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country review: the five-minute read

Do you really need an SUV? No, really? The answer is, of course, no, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming amongst the most popular type of new car sold in the UK in recent years.

However, there is another way: the jacked-up estate – such as the Volvo V90 Cross Country you see here. It's a V90 estate with 65mm extra ground clearance, all-wheel drive and chunkier styling that'll handle light off-roading when you need it to.

Volvo isn't the only premium manufacturer getting in on the action though, there's also the Audi A6 Allroad and Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain that aim to do the same thing and tempt you away.

Looks are subjective, but it's difficult to argue Volvo hasn't outdone its German rivals when in that department. The V90 Cross Country's sleek headlights, concave grille and elegant lines are somehow classier than the German efforts, even in its jacked-up state.

The same goes for the Cross Country's interior, which isn't quite as rock-solid as an Audi's but it's not far off and the general design is every bit as classy as the exterior.

New for 2021 is the infotainment system, which gets the same portrait screen as before, but is now powered by Google's Android system behind the scenes. It operates very much like an Android phone, which Google Maps the default built-in sat-nav, which is a great feature. However, the screen's graphics and response times still lag behind that of rival systems.

Like its alternatives, the V90 Cross Country seats two adults in the front and another two in the back comfortably, but three adults across the rear seats is best left to short journeys. However, if boot space is a priority, Mercedes' E-Class All-Terrain has a significantly bigger luggage space.

The V90 Cross Country comes with three engine choices – two 2.0-litre turbocharged petrols in 250hp and 300hp flavours, or a 2.0-litre diesel with 235hp. An eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive are standard, but there's no plug-in hybrid option for the Cross Country like there is for the standard V90.

Diesel is less fashionable than it once was, but it's actually our pick of the range. True, the petrols are faster and slightly quieter, but the diesel's real-world 40mpg versus the petrols' 30mpg swings it for us.

The V90's light steering and standard sensors and cameras make it a doddle to park in town despite its size and its wonderfully comfy over bumps, but head out onto country roads and you'll quickly realise the V90 puts comfort before cornering. No matter, as it's superb at eating up miles on the motorway, especially with Volvo's standard adaptive cruise control and lane keep tech.

So, if you don't need an SUVs high driving position, the V90 Cross Country is a well-rounded alternative. Just keep in mind there are bigger boots and better infotainment systems available.

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Extended read…

2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country interior and infotainment

It's generally agreed that the Swedes are good at designing things – furniture for example. Well, they've had another success with the V90's interior, which manages to be upmarket without being flashy.

It's not quite a solidly constructed as the interior in an Audi A6 Allroad, but it's very close and more attractive to look at.

The big news is that for 2021, Volvo has changed the V90's infotainment system. It has the same 9-inch portrait touchscreen as before, but the software behind the scenes is now Google's Android system, so it looks and operates very much like an Android smartphone – although Apple CarPlay is standard too.

It also means that instead of a built-in sat-nav system, it simply uses Google Maps as the default navigation, which is infinitely preferable. However, the screen's response times, menu layouts and graphics are still not as good as the systems in an Audi or Mercedes.

Still, all V90 Cross Countrys come with a set of digital driver's dials that are colourful and clear, plus a very good standard stereo system. There are two upgraded sound systems if you want more.

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2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country practicality and boot space

The Volvo V90 Cross Country is a very spacious car, with more than enough room for four adults to stretch out inside, although three adults across the rear seats is best restricted to short journeys.

The V90's outside rear seats have Isofix points and its wide-opening rear doors make it easy to get a front or rear-facing child seat inside.

The only real black mark is the Cross Country's boot, which is a good size at 560 litres, but a decent bit smaller than the one you get when buying a Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain.

2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country engine

The V90 Cross Country comes with three engine choices, all with mild hybrid technology – two 2.0-litre turbocharged petrols in 250hp and 300hp flavours, or a 2.0-litre diesel with 235hp.

An eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive are standard, but there's no plug-in hybrid option for the Cross Country like there is for the standard V90.

Diesel is less fashionable than it once was, but it's actually our pick of the range. True, the petrols are faster and slightly quieter, but the diesel's real-world 40mpg versus the petrols' 30mpg swings it for us.

Jacked-up estates are often used for pulling horseboxes or trailers, so the V90's 2200kg braked towing weight limit will come in handy and is in the same ballpark as its German competition.

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2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country driving

The V90 Cross Country is a long car but town driving is made easy by its light steering and a plethora of standard parking sensors and cameras. I

t's comfy over bumps at low speed too, although it's better the smaller its alloy wheels are. A 19-inch set comes as standard.

On country roads the Cross Country doesn't feel particularly sharp, even if it does grip hard and doesn't lean in bends. You're better off sitting back and enjoying the calm and comfort, something that's especially impressive on the motorway. Volvo's adaptive cruise control with lane keep tech is standard and works well too.

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