While there aren’t many wagons on the road today, many of the best ones come from Sweden. The stylish 2020 Volvo V90 luxury wagon and its counterpart the V90 Cross Country crossover have a lot to offer. The robust Cross Country model may not be a match for the Jeep Grand Cherokee when it comes to off-roading prowess. But it can be taken on lighter adventures and features some of the best driver-assist and safety features available.

The Volvo V90 is so impressive that it won Kelley Blue Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own Award for the best luxury car. What does the award mean? Why did the V90 take top honors?

The 5-Year Cost to Own Award

Each year, KBB gives its 5-Year Cost to Own Award to the vehicle with the best predicted cost during the first five years of owning it. The estimate factors in gas, insurance, maintenance, out-of-pocket expense, repairs, and depreciation. Two comparable vehicles may have the same starting price but over the first five years of ownership, how much is spent for their upkeep can be very different.

In other words, it’s the difference between what you paid for the vehicle initially and what it’s worth in five years’ time. Knowing the amount can be an important tool when shopping for your next vehicle.

For 2020, in the luxury car category, KBB gave the top two 5-Year Cost to Own Award slots to Volvo with the V90 taking top honors and the S90 as a runner-up. What impressed KBB about the two Volvos?

First place: 2020 Volvo V90

The Volvo V90’s estimated 5-Year Cost to Own: $62,116

The team at KBB liked everything about the 2020 Volvo V90 from its sharp looks to its opulent interior and enjoyable driving experience. The five-door luxury wagon drives like a sport wagon, but it allows you to haul a good deal of cargo like an SUV. It offers the best of both worlds.

What impressed KBB? It starts at $52,455 so it costs less than high-end luxury wagons like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon. The V90 doesn’t offer the same power as the E-Class, true. But what it lacks in athleticism, it makes up for in fuel economy. And the best part? It’s still a lot of fun to drive.

While acknowledging that most find the driving experience with most SUVs and crossovers to be mediocre, they loved the 2020 V90 and V90 Cross Country T6 because of its invigorating ride. The V90 Cross Country offers a 2.6-inch lift over the regular V90 which is more like a sedan.

Volvo gave the V90 plenty of spirit for the road. You have a choice between two 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines. One is a turbocharged engine that puts out 250 hp. The other is a supercharged and turbocharged engine that puts out 316 hp. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.

On top of a refined ride, the Volvo V90 has a spacious, upscale cabin and an abundance of safety features. KBB admired its balance of beauty, safety, and value. It has a strong resale value with reasonable insurance rates and good fuel economy – rare finds in a luxury vehicle.

The runner-up: 2020 Volvo S90

The Volvo S90’s estimated 5-Year Cost to Own: $63,547

For second place in the same category, KBB chose the elegant 2020 Volvo S90 and it’s easy to see why. The gorgeous, upscale sedan is also loaded with safety features, offers the same unique T6 powertrain as the V90, and offers a perfectly comfortable ride.

It starts at $51,545 which gives it great value for a luxury vehicle. KBB calls it an alternative luxury car that takes care of your money over time.  

Its exceptional design really makes it stand out in its class. The inside is stylish and comfortable and it comes with many advanced driver-assist features. The S90 offers a choice of the T6 four-cylinder engine that’s both supercharged and turbocharged and a plug-in hybrid T8 model that combines a powerful gas engine with an electric motor for greater power. The electric range offered is useful too. 

KBB appreciated its solid handling and ride even though it’s a little behind others in its class. They felt the design, safety features, and value earned it the second-place spot behind the V90.