Price £56,465 Kerbweight 1930kg Towing limit 2400kg Well built and thoughtfully designed, this reliable four-wheel-drive makes an appealing tow car
TOW CAR TEST
What’s new?
Since we last drove the V90, Volvo has updated the range, with a new infotainment system and a choice of mild-hybrid engines.
The Cross Country model tested here bridges the gap between a large estate car and an SUV, with a ride height raised by 65mm compared with the regular V90, and four-wheel drive.
V90 Cross Country buyers have the choice of two petrols (250hp or 300hp) and a 197hp diesel. Here, we’re testing the less powerful of the two petrol versions. In ‘Plus’ specification, the car costs £56,465.
What are we looking for?
Can the Cross Country keep estate car enthusiasts and 4x4 fans happy? Is it worth the extra cost over a standard V90, and how well does it tow a caravan?
Towing ability
One of several benefits of opting for the four-wheel-drive Cross Country rather than the regular V90 is the additional weight. The Cross Country is around 100kg heavier than the front-wheel-drive model, so the matching ratios are more favourable.
With a kerbweight of 1930kg, the V90 Cross Country B5 has an 85% match figure of 1641kg. That’s well within the maximum towing weight of 2400kg and means a wide range of tourers make sensible matches.
For our test, we paired the Volvo with a Swift Fairway Grande 580, with a MiRO of 1381kg, borrowed from Broad Lane Leisure.
Car and caravan were soon up to speed. With 250hp and 258lb ft of torque, choosing the entry-level engine doesn’t mean putting up with weak and listless performance.
Unless you put your foot all the way to the floor, the engine doesn’t sound strained, although this four-cylinder engine isn’t as smooth at high revs as the best six-cylinder engines found in some rivals.
Volvo automatic gearboxes are sometimes criticised for being slow to change down to a lower gear, but the eight-speed ’box in the Cross Country is prompt and responsive, making the most of the petrol engine’s pulling power. It’s no secret that we generally prefer diesels for towing, but this petrol vehicle more than copes.
On country roads, the V90 is comfortable and accomplished. It’s easy to hold speed on steep gradients, and the car remains secure and stable over bumpy surfaces.
Hill starts are straightforward – and you would expect nothing less from a powerful four-wheel drive with automatic gearbox. The electronic parking brake holds car and caravan still, and releases smoothly without allowing the outfit to roll back. Even on damp Tar
