Version review

Volvo V90 Cross Country 2.0 B5P Ultimate Dark 5dr Auto Review

Fill out our 2022 Reliability Survey - and win a prize!

Vauxhall Astra 

Skoda Karoq

VW T-Roc

Peugeot 308

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Vauxhall Corsa

Audi A3

Volvo C40

/news/complete-the-2022-what-car-reliability-survey-for-the-chance-to-win-a-prize/n15554

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

With 247bhp and a 0-62mph time of 6.9sec (slower if you buy the four-wheel-drive Cross Country) it’s pokey and it pulls well from low revs. It's the entry-level engine in Cross Country. If you're a company car driver looking to save tax, though, you should check out the Recharge T6 plug-in hybrid instead. Officially, the B5 (P) will average 40mpg, which is about the same as the less powerful B4 (P). We saw 30-35mpg from the four-wheel-drive Cross Country and front-wheel-drive versions should better that.  

2.0 B5P

Estate

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

Ultimate

2.0 B5P Ultimate Dark 5dr Auto

20-b5p-ultimate-dark-5dr-auto

Anti-theft alarm including immobiliser/volume sensor + level sensor

Lane keep assist with driver alert control

Rain sensor with automatic windscreen wiper activation

Vehicle deceleration control with Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake Distribution and Emergency Brake Assist

Colour coordinated auto folding and heated power door mirrors

Adaptive brake lights with high level LED brake lights

Seatbelt reminder and pretensioners for all seats

Versatile split folding rear seat - 60/40

8 speed automatic transmission with start/stop + manual change functions

Active four C chassis - Four corner adaptive dampers with two corner rear electronic air suspension

Rear LED lights with sequential indicators

Gesture tailgate/boot lid opening and closing

Volvo V90 Cross Country

There is a lot to enjoy in owning a Volvo V90 Cross Country. It's quiet and rides very well, making it great for long-distance travel, the interior is rather beautifully finished, it's very spacious, particularly in the back seats, and it's fantastically well equipped. However, it's a lot more money than the standard V90, it depreciates alarmingly quickly, and overall the BMW 5 Series Touring is a better estate car. 

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.

Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.

There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.

Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.

New car deals >>

Volvo V90 Cross Country 2.0 B5P Ultimate Dark 5dr Auto Review

Get the best price with What Car?

The model

The trim

The engine

Buying with What Car?

Key information

39.7

714

litres

161

g/km

Also consider

Kia Ceed Sportswagon

Hyundai i30 Tourer

Seat Leon Estate

Skoda Octavia Estate

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information