It's been twenty years since Volvo first introduced a rougher-edged station car.
The car that has become the V90 Cross Country, actually finds its roots in that V70 XC over there,
in the nineties.
And to find out what happened over those twenty years, we're driving four generations with three owners.
Because what's the magic behind that XC-badge?
This then... This is the car which all started it in 1997.
The V70 Cross Country.
It kind of was a toughened-up version of the normal V70, which in turn was a renewed 850.
And to make it a Cross Country, it received lots of exclusive features like four-wheel drive,
tougher roof rails, bigger wheels, and tougher bumpers.
And Paul, you're the lucky owner of this V70 XC, right?
- That's right. Why did you choose a V70 XC instead of a normal V70?
Well, back in the day, I thought the Cross Country was tougher.
You know? More robust. It made a better impression on me than the normal V70.
I do appreciate the looks of the classic V70 though.
So it's something about appearance? - Yep, yep...
Right now, we're in a car which has done more than 300.000 kilometres,
and it's still incredibly comfortable. Incredible seats,
a lot of clarity inside, a very serene and ergonomic cockpit...
That really was one of the key characteristics in this car, right?
That's right. It's really a pleasure to drive this car.
It really is a great cruiser. It does about 11 kilometres on a litre,
and for a Volvo that's quite good actually. - Acceptable enough?
- Yep. When this car was first introduced and the first advertisements arose, I realized they were able to completely change the car,
with very limited resources. And that's quite the achievement...
With the lovely sounds of a D5 diesel engine, producing 185 horsepower,
we roll into the noughties. That was the year Volvo introduced the second generation V70.
That also meant there was a completely new XC70 as well.
At first, it was called V70 XC, but in 2003 it got rebadged as XC70,
which was similar to the XC90 SUV.
And Maarten, you're Paul's son,
so is this a typical case that the son drives the same car as his dad?
Well... I was brought up with Volvo's to be honest. My dad started collecting everything from Volvo when he was eighteen,
and I never saw another brand of car in front of the house...
You didn't consider that as a lack? - No, on the contrary.
Why the Cross Country appeals to me? Because of its robustness,
its appearance, its high seating position... High entry as well.
It's a very nice car, but all of the Cross Country's are.
Yep. The moment you get into this car, every single fibre breathes robustness.
The whole interior looks like it's been carved from stone, big buttons, and a lot of them back in the day...
Big materials, big surfaces... It's all sturdy and tough.
And again, the seats. They're brilliant again.
Also, which really stood out; this V70 was available with a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine,
and with a D5 diesel engine. And this car is from 2006, so it produces 185 horsepower from that 5-cylinder.
So it doesn't just have character, with a lovely sound and a clean pur,
but also... It sounds very good,
it was powerful for its time... 185 horsepower was quite a lot back then.
It just has that little bit extra, which really appeals to us.
So it's a little bit extra special than the normal toys. - Yep, exactly.
Can we say that? - Yep.
Keep accelerating! And that's what 2006 sounds like.
A warm, glowy diesel sound. Right off the bat,
I can tell you the V90 doesn't have that.
Now we're talking special engines, we can easily jump to the third generation.
This one entered the market in 2006, and it didn't only offer 5-cylinder engines.
Volvo also offered a T6 straight-six, producing 310 horsepower.
For this generation, I'm sticking close to home.
Dad, you've been driving Volvo since the early nineties, right? A 940, a 850...
Eventually you had to choose between a V70 or a V70 XC in 2002. So what's the reason you went for the XC instead of the normal V70?
First of all, I really liked the face of the XC.
It's a beautiful car really. I fell for the skidplates,
but the higher entry appealed to me as well. I mean, you're getting older...
- I wouldn't say that! No, I know that, but still.
You have to deal with stuff like that. You should always keep in the back of your head,
this car could be the last one we're buying for now.
But if this really was the last one, it's a great car. It's got everything.
Are there things which disappoint you in the daily use?
Well, the fuel consumption is a thing... But hey, you'll get used to it.
You thought, if I'm buying my last new car, I'm dropping the biggest engine in it. The T6.
Yeah well, I've seen the new one now...
I have to say, it's itching again, because that's also stunning.
Thanks for the tip. Of course, we've brought the newest kid on the block as well,
time for the XC-drivers to get to know the V90 XC.
When you got in this morning, you thought the seats were too hard, right?
Yep, but I got over it after five minutes. After ten minutes however, I started to love it.
The seats really are amazing.
The little seat extension is great if you've got longer legs. Your thighs get full support.
The retractable seat? - It's great!
It really is like you're floating down the road, and it feels like that as well when it comes to the seating position.
The instruments are big, it's very spacious. Even for a long...
A long worm like you? - Exactly!
I can sit in here with lots of space, and that feels very nice and familiar.
It's very comfortable...
Paul, you just said it's almost as comfortable as the Classic. - That's a joke...
No but seriously. What more could you wish for in here?
You can really tell this car has quite some heritage. A lot happened between 1997 and 2017,
so of course the technology has to move with the times.
That's clear.
But what stands out the most then?
Well, I would say the dashboard. If I compare this with the dasboard in my Classic,
this is a complete computer. Almost like a game.
Dad, you're used to a six-cylinder, but Volvo only offers four-cylinders in the V90 and almost all other models.
So no big engines anymore, what do you think of that?
Well, I've been testing it now, and to be honest;
I think it really drives great. There isn't a lot of difference really,
you maybe get a little bit of kickdown, but you quickly accept that.
On the other hand, I'm not someone who just keeps putting his foot down.
Yeah, because your T6 really revs quickly and makes a lot of noise...
Only if I make it do that. We did a nice corner, and it has been quiet ever since.
It's just perfect.
The growl which is in the engine is a sound which you can perfectly tell apart.
So it's unfortunate Volvo doesn't offer a big engine anymore.
Maybe in the future. Maybe the can add a sort of sound...
- 5-cylinder speakers? Yeah! Like 5-cylinder Dolby Surround in the car.
Anyway, that's the only thing I miss.
When it comes to power however, it isn't necessary to have a huge engine.
Of course, you miss the sound a little, but you have to move with the times.
I think Volvo has done that properly.
So you're not a sentimental old man when it comes to that? - Nope.
You're driving a little bit sloppy. - That's because I have understeer.
Do you even know what that is? - You've just driven it with that body!
So the front tires are already gone? - And the steering wheel was in my face.
That makes it difficult you know.
I think it's a little bit more direct than my car. - Why?
Well, if you have to manoeuver quickly, it reacts quicker to my movements.
Do you like that? - Yes, I think it's got a very nice steering.
Especially if you're going for short distances. Roundabouts, speed bumps...
It's easier.
If you had to choose: V70 Cross Country Classic, or the V90 Cross Country.
I'd lie if I said the Classic, because this really is a beautiful car.
The design is very good. It's very impressive as well, just like I thought when they introduced the 850 GLT.
Especially with the estate, with those big rear lights. I really felt like 'wow'.
I feel the same with the V90. The vertical grille... It's a real Volvo.