Fully describing the standard safety equipment would exceed this article’s allotted length. It includes automatic emergency braking for cars, bicyclists, pedestrians and large animals. Pilot Assist, also standard, is Volvo’s semiautonomous driving technology, which can handle steering, braking and acceleration, in many cases. After about 10 seconds of hands-free driving, though, it wants your hands back on the steering wheel (which is heated). Pilot Assist works at speeds up to 80 miles an hour but is best at reducing the stress of tedious stop-and-go commuting.

Unlike urbanites dressing in expensive technical outdoor clothing, the Cross County is no poser. I’ve confidently driven this Volvo on unimproved access roads at speeds that would scare most passengers (purely for research, mind you). The Cross Country glides over tree roots and dirt heaves on the way to remote trailheads. Hill descent control automatically applies the throttle and braking on extremely steep grades — drivers only have to steer. Will it challenge a Jeep Wrangler’s abilities? Nope. But few owners will challenge the Cross Country’s capabilities.

Modern Volvo interiors have a warm, rich Scandinavian ambience that sets them apart from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes. Hefty interior door releases are shaped so fingers slide inside them in a soul-satisfying manner. Poke fun at me now, but you’ll understand when you try them. Volvo seats are often held up as the best in the business and these don’t disappoint. A $4,500 package that was not on my tester adds seemingly infinite adjustments and a massage feature to the front seats.

User interfaces are important in modern cars, and the LCD screen Volvo uses is as large and responsive as an iPad. Swipe left and right to get to different pages. Easy? Yes, but the graphics can be small and tough to read or accurately hit on bumpy roads. A few more dedicated hard buttons would be nice. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto help.

Back-seat room is generous and the outboard seating positions (with an integrated child booster seat option) are as comfortable as the front seats. Middle passengers must deal with a drive shaft tunnel and a seat back that’s a little lumpy. The package that adds massaging seats upfront includes a climate zone, heated cushions and full sunshade treatment for the rear. Everyone’s happy.

Volvo eliminated the rear-facing third row years ago. So if your children like to wave at the cars following behind (my kids called it “sweet and sour,” depending on the engagement of the driver), the Mercedes E Class wagon is the way to go.

The Volvo’s cargo space has all sorts of elastic bands that keep things from rolling around. Obviously, the space doesn’t have the depth of the XC90 S.U.V.’s space, but it will easily swallow the luggage of five poorly packed people. Drop the split rear seats and two mountain bikes should easily slide in. I advise a tarp to keep things clean — speaking from experience.

Volvo has been turning out attractive designs lately. The svelte V90 may be the best-looking of the bunch. (But hey, the automotive journalist brain sees things that way.) Chances are, station wagons aren’t going to become wildly popular again. But the stylish V90 Cross Country does nearly everything an S.U.V. does, only in a sleeker package.