What is it?

The latest in Volvo’s long line of practical and uniquely cool wagons. More specifically it is based on the V90 wagon (not currently offered in Australia) but with the ride height increased by 57mm and some unique styling touches, such as the chunkier wheel arches.

But it’s still a sleek and stylish looking wagon thanks to the brand’s new design language that gives the car a premium look.

How much does it cost and what do you get?

Volvo Australia is offering a single model, the V90 Cross Country Inscription. It’s priced from $99,900 (plus on-road costs) which is $2000 more expensive than the XC90 Inscription.

Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, power tailgate, keyless entry and ignition, leather trim, four-zone air-conditioning, digital dashboard and a 10-speaker sound system.

However, there are some noteable items that aren’t standard, but arguably should be on a car costing $100k. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as part of the $3000 Technology Pack that also includes a head up display, 360 degree parking cameras and digital radio.

You also need to pay extra for heated seats, tinted rear windows and the sunroof.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Cross Country gets Volvo’s latest 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine fitted with its ‘PowerPulse’ technology.

The idea of PowerPulse is a small air compressor shoots a jet of air into the turbocharger to try and eliminate, or at least minimise lag.

Or at least that is the theory. On the road the V90 has plenty of punch with 173kW of power and a respectable 480Nm of torque on tap. But while it has little trouble pulling the big car along peak torque is only available in a narrow band between 1750-2250rpm so the Cross Country can feel a bit lumpy at times under acceleration.

It can also be a little noisy at times, with the grumbly diesel engine noise occasionally penetrating the cabin.

It also proved thirsty during our time in the car, using just over 11-litres per 100km, which is well above the claimed 5.7L/100km; although, in fairness, our time was spent primarily in urban commuting.

What’s it like to drive?

The V90 Cross Country makes an appealing alternative to an SUV, offering up similar interior space but more car-like dynamics on the road.

It’s still a big car, measuring 4.9m long and 1.8m wide, but it corners well and the steering is suitably responsive.

The ride is comfortable as the suspension soaks up the bumps reasonably well, however, as we’ve discovered previously on the S90 and XC90 that share the same underpinnings the suspension is noisy. So while you may not feel the bumps the car makes sure you hear them.

The Cross Country gets all-wheel drive as standard and thanks to the raised ride height over the S90/V90 it boasts 210mm of ground clearance in total. So if you want to go off the beaten path this should take you a bit further than a conventional wagon.

What’s it like inside?

This is where the Cross Country really shines. Volvo has really nailed its interior styling in this tester’s opinion.

The design has a Scandinavian simplicity and elegance to it that combines well with Volvo’s choice of materials to create a premium feeling cabin that has its own unique character that separates it from its rivals.

It also has enough technology for a luxury car with its digital dashboard and iPad-style infotainment screen that controls all the car’s major functions - air-conditioning, sound system, navigation, etc.

It has a nice interface that is simple to use on the surface, but once you start to drill down into the menus to adjust some of the settings it can get more confusing. It also replaces physical buttons for the air-conditioning, which means you do need to take your eyes off your road to adjust any of the settings, which usually takes two or three steps to adjust anything.

It’s also worth noting that our test car’s air-conditioning was underwhelming when it came to blowing cold air while still being noisy.

The Volvo redeems itself, somewhat, with its spacious back seat space. The rear seats also feature in-built children’s booster seats which will be popular with parents or even family (grandparents, etc) that have to occasionally carry smaller children who won’t have to bother with an aftermarket booster.

The V90 also has a big boot, with a long floor that should swallow a family’s luggage with space to spare.

Is it safe?

Being a Volvo it gets plenty of safety equipment as standard, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and even semi-autonomous driving functionality.

Would I buy it?

It’s a stylish alternative to the SUV craze that will suit a family of five or fewer (as there is no seven-seat option). The cabin is particularly highlight with its nice looks and generous dimensions.

It’s thirsty and occasionally grumbly engine as well as the noisy suspension does detract somewhat from the experience. But not enough to rule it out, particularly against its limited competition in the high-riding luxury wagon category.

What else should I consider?

For those wanting to avoid an SUV but desiring a little more height with their wagon there are only two other obvious options.

The Audi A6 Allroad is from $112,855 (plus on-road costs) while the recently launched Mercedes-Benz E220d All-Terrain starts at $109,900 (plus on-road costs). Both are nice vehicles so buyers in this (niche) part of the market are spoiled for choice at this moment in time.

2017 Volvo V90 Cross Country Inscription price and specifications

Price: From $99,900 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power: 173kW at 4000rpm

Torque: 480Nm at 1750-2250rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

Fuel use: 5.7L/100km

• For more information, visit our Volvo showroom.