Winter is a time that people are traditionally drawn to SUVs, with many opting to sell their sportier cars in preparation for the season. Depending on your local climate, winter can be truly brutal, with those in Northern and Eastern regions worst affected. To combat snow and ice, corrosive rock salt is distributed across the road network, and you certainly don't want to expose your treasured weekend car to these conditions. As the season progresses, potholes open up and serious damage can be caused to low-riding cars.
Many SUVs and crossovers people buy are little more than raised hatchbacks. Consequently, they only have two driven wheels. While these crossovers may give the illusion of being rough and ready, they are often far from it. The lifted wagon could provide a far more suitable alternative. Based around a traditional station wagon, these cars can give many SUVs are real run for their money. One of the best options within this segment is the Volvo V90 Cross Country. Here are 10 reasons the car makes the perfect winter wagon.
10 Jacked Up Ride Height
The Volvo V90 Cross Country benefits from a raised ride height. With a ground clearance of 8.3 inches, the car is far more capable of clearing obstacles than it may first appear.
The station wagon body form may lead to you assuming it would only fare moderately better than a regular wagon. However, the standard Volvo V90 has just 6.1 inches, so there is a significant difference. The other factor to consider is that many SUVs offer very little extra clearance. For comparison, the Volvo XC60 provides 8.2 inches and even the full-blown XC90 can only match the V90 Cross Country at 8.3 inches. The off-road legend that is the new Land Rover Defender, provides between 8.6 inches to 11.5 inches.
9 Slick Infotainment System With Google
In recent years, Volvo has become well known for its large, tablet-style infotainment touchscreens. The V90 Cross Country continues this trend and is kitted out with a sleek 9.0-inch portrait-oriented display.
Google is heavily integrated into the system, with the well-known search engine company powering the navigation. Consequently, drivers receive real-time traffic updates and reliable re-routing options. Users are also able to make use of Google's virtual assistant, which can be summoned by saying "Hey Google."
8 Warming Interior
A warm shelter from the elements is essential in any winter wagon. The V90 Cross Country excels here and is available with a raft of heated options. From an electrically heated steering wheel to heated seats and a four-zone climate control system, the car should keep you warm and comfortable.
Helping you get away faster on a frosty morning, the car is available with a convenient heated windshield. Just like with the commonly available rear screen defrosters and door mirror heaters, the feature is a true time saver and allows you to keep your hands warm.
7 Efficient Hybrid Powertrain
The car is available with a powerful, yet efficient mild hybrid powertrain. Named the "B6," a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is both turbo and supercharged, is paired with a 48V battery.
The result is a generous power output of 295 hp, combined with impressive fuel economy. 22 MPG is possible in the city, with up to 29 MPG out on the highway.
6 Vast Cargo Area
Volvo's wagons have long enjoyed an almost unrivaled reputation for being the ultimate load luggers. The V90 maintains this enviable reputation, with the car able to swallow up to 19.8 cubic feet of cargo, with all 5 seats in operation.
Fold the seats down, and the car provides a massive 69 cubic feet of capacity. The trunk is a usable boxy shape, and helpful accessories such as tie-down hooks and a shopping bag holder prevent the load from rolling around.
5 Many Winter Sports Accessories
Helping buyers and their families get the most out of their V90 Cross Country, a range of genuine accessories is available. Protecting the luxurious interior, plastic all-weather cargo compartment mats are available, perfect for muddy winter gear.
Numerous accessories are available for the car's roof rack, from bicycle holders to roof boxes and ski mounts. Whatever your favorite winter pursuit, the car should meet your needs.
4 Advanced Safety Systems
As you might expect from a vehicle manufactured by Volvo, the V90 Cross Country offers class-leading safety. Autonomous braking helps mitigate the possibility of a collision, with the system able to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and even animals. A warning is given to alert the driver initially before the car steps in and intervenes.
Other safety systems include "BLIS", which monitors the car's blind spots and can even subtly adjust the steering to keep you in your lane. "360 Parking View," makes getting into a spot easy, and "Cross Traffic Alert" will automatically brake to prevent reversing collisions.
3
Off-Road Ability
The V90 Cross Country doesn't just look the part, it can genuinely perform off the beaten track. All-wheel drive ensures it can maintain traction in a range of environmental conditions, from mud to sand and snow.
Should you need to descend any steep slopes, the car can take care of the work. "Hill Descent Control," will automatically control the car's speed, with no braking input required from the driver. The car even has a dedicated "Off-Road" mode that can be selected, bringing these systems into action.
2 Towing Ability
Should you require the ability to tow using your wagon, the Volvo V90 Cross Country could be exactly the right car for you.
With a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, you should be able to hitch up almost anything you could desire. From boats to campers and trailers, the Cross Country should manage it all with ease.
1 More Affordable Than Rivals
The V90 Cross Country range begins at $58,450, and the car can be leased from Volvo for $865 per month. Compared to many rivals, the Volvo is significantly cheaper.
For comparison, the Audi A6 Allroad starts at $67,900, and the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain starts at $68,400.
Sources: Volvo Cars, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover