If you’ve watched the TV series “Wallander,” you’ve seen the title character, played by Kenneth Brannagh, driving a Volvo XC70 SUV. The program is based on crime novels written by Henning Mankell. He is Swedish. The show is based in Sweden. And Volvo, of course, is based in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The vehicle is completely appropriate for the series. If you’re going to drive in Sweden, drive Swedish.
But perhaps if police detective Kurt Wallander was more serene he would up his game and drive the Volvo V90 Cross Country. . . .
It is easy, however, to imagine Brannagh (who, by the way, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth way back in 2012, so the man isn’t simply a wonderful actor and director) rolling around in a V90, as it would be in keeping with both the functional: presumably directors travel with some gear. . .
. . . and the comfortable, as working on a set all day is certainly tiring, so that ergonomic, leather-clad, driver’s seat that provides heating and cooling and, as an $800 option, a massaging function, is certainly something that would be appealing. In addition to which, there is an optional adaptive air suspension system on the vehicle as-driven ($1,200) which smooths the ride notably.
(There is, of course, the crystal Orrefors shift knob, but Sir Brannagh is probably used to seeing things like that.)
The V90 has an electrified powertrain. There is a 48-volt mild hybrid system that uses regenerative braking; it has an integrated starter generator (so the auto start-stop isn’t in the least bit troubling, for those who find that fuel-saving function unsettling). The turbo-charged 2-liter engine (mated to an eight-speed automatic) produces 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
The powertrain provides good performance (let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is a station wagon that is meant for daily drives, not something to leave people pinned back into those comfortable Scandinavian seats) and good fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 29 highway and 25 mpg combined. But you want to run it on premium (91 octane).
A word about it being a station wagon rather than a utility. First know that Volvo has an array of SUVs (EX90, EX40, EC40, EX30, XC90, XC60, and XC40).
While the V90 does provide solid cargo space—69 cubic feet with the second row folded; 19.5 cubic feet with the second row up—it is not as capacious as, say, an XC90. But how often does someone pack their vehicle to the max? (And let’s face it, if there is a whole lot that needs to be transported, one can get a Thule roof-top cargo carrier. (Yes, although there are other brands, Thule is Swedish, too, so let’s keep it thematic.))
That said, the V90 rides, handles and maneuvers much more lithely than a ute, and that makes a big difference during those daily drives.
In fact, I submit that were one to go to their local Volvo dealer and test drive back-to-back an XC90 and the V90, although the higher H-point and consequent visibility of the XC90 is certainly an advantage, the overall drivability of the V90 is a real benefit.
I also suspect that as many people have been driving utes for the past few years they’ve forgotten how driving something that’s more sedan-like can feel.
Long-time automotive journalist Gary Vasilash is co-host of “Autoline After Hours” and is a North American Car, Truck & Utility of the Year juror. He is also a contributor to Wards Auto and a juror for its 10 Best Interiors UX and 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems awards. He has written for a number of outlets, ranging from Composites Technology to Car and Driver.
The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.
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[Images: Volvo. 2025 Model shown]
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