The Volvo V90 Cross Country is a high-tech, luxury station wagon that is easy to love

Matthew DeBord/BI

Now that's a wagon!

• The V90 is an excellent alternative to an SUV.
• It comes with a high price tag, but for the most part, it's worth it.
• A test drive could make a wagon-lover out of even the most committed wagon-hater.

Americans hate station wagons. Well, most Americans. The one who don't hate them love station wagons and have traditionally loved Volvo station wagons very, very much.

For those consumers who don't want a large SUV - and don't worry, Volvo has plenty of those - the Swedish automaker, now owned by China's Geely, has the V90.

We spent a week in what was once prime station-wagon country - the New Jersey suburbs - but is now SUV central. Volvo loaned us a well-equipped, $64,640 (optioned up from $55,000) V90 Cross Country T6 with all-wheel-drive.

Did it live up to its lofty wagony reputation? Read on.