2021 Volvo V90

The 2021 Volvo V90 is the quintessential Volvo – the flagship station wagon from a brand built on station wagons. It’s back with minimal changes, adding a few standard features and exterior tweaks.

The V90 Cross Country loses the plastic cladding on the exterior, which brings it more in line with the rest of the range. All models get a slightly revised grille, front and rear bumpers, taillight design, spoiler, and wheels. Newly standard equipment includes wireless charging, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive LED headlights, and two rear USB ports.

The V90 comes in three trim levels: R-Design, Inscription, and Cross Country. The first two differ mostly in aesthetics, while the Cross Country adds a rugged touch. Prices start at $52,795 including destination for the R-Design or Inscription, while the Cross Country starts at $55,895.

The V90 comes with two engine choices for 2021. The base T5 powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which comes standard on the R-Design and Inscription. The T6 is based on the same engine, but it adds a supercharger to the mix. The T6 is standard on the Cross Country and available on the lower two trims for an extra $6,000.

The T5 comes with front-wheel drive only, while the T6 gets standard all-wheel drive. Both powertrains share an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The V90 seats five passengers in comfort, with about 36 inches of rear leg room. That’s not quite as much as rivals like the Subaru Outback, but it’s enough for all but the tallest passengers.

Cargo capacity starts at 19.8 cubic feet and expands to 53.9 with the rear seats folded. That’s more than most hatchbacks, but falls short of wagon competitors like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon.

Volvo continues to expand its suite of standard active safety tech. This year, the kit includes adaptive headlights and front parking sensors in addition to the already standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. A surround-view camera is optional on all trims through the Advanced Package.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system runs through a vertically-oriented 9-inch touchscreen on all trims. It's compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and comes with navigation baked in. A 12.3-inch driver information center, Harman Kardon audio system, and a wireless charging pad come standard.

The aforementioned Advanced Package also includes a head-up display. A 19-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system is a $3,200 standalone option ($4,000 on the Cross Country).

The R-Design shares most of its features with the Inscription, but skews toward performance with a sport chassis that tightens up responses. The exterior gets aggressive bodywork, 19-inch wheels, and a hands-free power tailgate. The inside hs heated front seats, perforated Nappa leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof.

For the full tech experience, the Advanced Package ($1,500) adds a head-up display and a surround-view camera. The only other significant bundle is the Climate Package ($750), which heats up the rear seats, steering wheel, and wiper nozzles.

The Inscription trim focuses on comfort and luxury over sportiness. The infotainment and tech features all mirror the R-Design, but the Inscription comes with a softer chassis, oak inlays, and power-adjustable side supports for the front seats.

The one exclusive option on the Inscription is massage-capable front seats, which cost $500.

The V90 Cross Country blurs the lines between wagon and crossover by adding 2.6 inches of clearance (up to 8.3 inches). It uses a different suspension to handle the extra height, but loses the Harman Kardon audio system and fancy inlays of the other trims. It also comes standard with the T6 engine.

The Advanced Package includes ambient lighting here, which pushes price up to $1,700. However, a heated steering wheel comes standard, which means the Climate Package costs only $450.

For the ultimate in front-row comfort, the Lounge Package ($2,800) adds massage-capable front seats with power lumbar support and a cooled glovebox, among other perks. The Cross Country shares an optional adaptive air suspension with the larger XC90, available for an extra $1,200.

Compare V90 Trims Side-By-Side