In the truest sense, the new Volvo Cross Country all wheel drive (AWD) wagon is very Swedish — dripping with what one of the company’s marketeers called “Volvoness.” But if look closely, you can see the influence of Ford Motor Company.

The new Cross Country borrows comfort, flexibility and safety engineering from its sister wagons, while it borrows AWD and high ground clearance from today’s SUVs. And who makes those? What Volvo engineers have done in the new Cross Country is combine the best of both worlds, creating a first-class all terrain driving experience.

Volvo’s Cross Country was first introduced in 1997 to North America and was an immediate hit. It has since accounted for a large part of Volvo’s total V70 sales (45 percent in the USA in 1999 and 32 percent in Canada). Overall, when all the markets are included, the Cross Country accounted for some 18 percent of V70 sales in 1999, which was an all time sales year, capping 16 consecutive months of year-to-year sales records. Y-T-D sales are running 15.9 percent ahead of last year.

I had the opportunity to drive this car several hundred miles under some very unique circumstances, in the beautiful hills of New England — Vermont, Massachusetts and upstate New York — at a Volvo introduction event. I came away very impressed.

On the road, it was quiet, mannerly, extremely comfortable, handled well and had more than enough power to keep up with the traffic.

Off road — yes, we did take it off road — up and down a washboard trail over a mountain in fact — it acquitted itself as well or better than most SUVs.

The Cross Country is an attractive combination of improved flexibility and driving comfort coupled with extra maneuverability and the best characteristics a modern, first-class wagon has to offer: safety engineering, comfort, quality, road performance, and personal security.

Volvo has positioned this vehicle as the “European premium car experience, with SUV functionality.” That’s where that “Volvoness” comes in.

Volvo’s engineers have successfully focused on improving flexibility and function at every opportunity — a more flexible interior, improved driving characteristics on roads good or bad, higher ground clearance and other touches — especially technology — that make this vehicle quite unique. It has a clearly defined identity, even though it boasts features of both a wagon and an SUV.

The Cross Country has a very aggressive appearance — a high and wide stance which is accented by almost eight inches of ground clearance, a plastic-sheathed front grille, flared fender assembly and side cladding, with wheels and tires that are larger, giving this vehicle more width, height and track than the 2WD version, although it’s the same total length and weight.

Performance is excellent. Volvo’s additionally developed 2.4-litre, light-pressure turbo puts 197 horses on the highway, delivering outstanding versatility for both city and highway driving. The high torque produced at engine speeds of as little as 1,800 rpm, also makes this wagon excellent for driving at low speed on poor roads or in the snow.

Volvo’s viscous clutch AWD system, which is similar to that used by Porsche, provides excellent, reliable handling on everything from dry, smooth freeway to small winding two lane blacktops. TRACS on all four wheels gives the wagon its maneuverability, even on wet roads.

Interior-wise, the new Cross Country is aesthetically pleasing. Volvo’s wagons are renowned for their practical interior designs, with lots of storage. There’s a double split, 40/20/40 rear seat, with a cleaver reversible arm rest that houses a cooler inside and cupholders outside. There’s also a grocery bag holder in the cargo area and a safety net behind the rear seat to keep things from flying forward off road, or under extreme driving circumstances — including a crash.

Technology is evident everywhere, including in the navigation system that raises up out of the dashboard and once programmed, will give you driving directions to your destination — in your choice of a pleasing male or female voice. It actually worked pretty well when my driving partner got us lost for a short time somewhere in Vermont.
Whines: Because of the low profile of the wagon roofline, visibility is slightly impaired, but not enough so that I would consider it a safety issue. That’s the worse thing I can say.
Kudos: This is a nice, comfortable, well thought-out vehicle geared to those with an active lifestyle. This vehicle is so good off road, Volvo has entered it in this year’s Northwest Automotive Press Association SUV of the year competition. What’s more, it could win its class.
Bottom Line: Volvo sees buyers of the AWD Cross Country as 35-45, physically active, and what the marketeers termed “doers, not viewers.” It’s versatile, functional, comfortable and in many ways technologically superior to most of its market competition. Scheduled to be available this month, it offers excellent performance, legendary Volvo reliability and safety in what is an excellent crossover vehicle. If you’re considering a mass market SUV such as an Explorer, Blazer, Cherokee, etc. Check this out. It may turn your head.