Volvo that can cross the country in style
that 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. The base V90 D4 is frontwheel drive, while the D5 has fourwheel drive, as does our Cross Country version. All models have an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with no manual option and share the same engines, gearboxes and safety technology with the XC90 and S90 saloon.
Volvo’s different approach to premium big cars is a relatively small-capacity four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol or diesel engine instead of a big V6, which means respectable performance and economy - our D4 AWD can hit a shade over 60mpg on a run but still turns in a 0 to 62 time of 8.5 seconds with a 130mph top speed.
There are four trims on offer and all are well equipped in an attempt to entice buyers away from the German opposition. The range kicks off with our car (Momentum), but this still gets heated leather seats, LED headlights and an electric tailgate, plus Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system (with voice control), which can even book the car in for a service at your local Volvo dealership.
On the safety front there is pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection, plus front collision warning with fully automatic emergency braking. Then there’s Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control – semi-autonomous drive technology which can temporarily take care of the steering (up to 80mph), accelerator and brake inputs required to keep the car within lane markings and at the desired cruising speed
Plus Run-off road protection – which automatically tightens the front seat belts should the car suddenly leave the road, while front seat frames have a collapsible section to reduce vertical forces and help prevent spinal injuries.
Other features standard across the V90 range include LED headlights with active high beam, two-zone climate control, poweroperated tailgate (as well as folding rear-seat backrests and headrests), eight-inch active driver’s information display and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Our Cross Country also had a number of options including a power tilt and slide glass roof, assist for parallel and 90 degree parking, an i-pad style 12.3” infotainment screen, keyless entry and start, air suspension and special 19” alloy wheels plus a switchable four camera parking system with 360 degree surround view.
The latter proved most entertaining while stuck in a motorway jam as it makes your car look tiny and the vehicles around you huge!
All that took the base Cross Country price of £39,785 up to a fairly weighty £47,935 but then, if you look at the opposition, that price is quite competitive.
So have Volvo retained their large executive estate car crown? Well I can’t think of a more capable competitor that could currently take it away.