2017 Volvo V90

Pros: Nicely appointed interior; rough-road capability; cargo room

Cons: Complex control system, only one pricey trim level offered

CG Says: The 2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country is a new premium midsize wagon based on Volvo’s S90 sedan. V90 Cross Country seats five passengers. Although not a true crossover SUV, V90 Cross Country has standard all-wheel drive and a raised ride height. A V90 wagon with standard ride height and available with front-wheel drive will be introduced as 2018 model. For those who desire a crossover SUV, Volvo also sells an XC90 with greater ground clearance, a higher roofline, and three rows of seating. The V90’s sole powertrain is a 316-horsepower supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear-collision warning, steering-linked LED headlights, blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. Other available features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, rain-sensing wipers, hill-descent control, panoramic sunroof, surround-view cameras, quad-zone automatic climate controls, heated front and rear seats, and massaging front seats. The V90 Cross Country is a good alternative for those who want the cargo capacity and greater ground clearance of an SUV without going the full-SUV route. The V90’s well-finished interior and long list of safety features also make it a compelling alternative to mainstream SUVs.