Subaru WRX Sportswagon vs Volvo V90 Cross Country
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Wagons compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 10 Sep 2026
Subaru WRX Sportswagon
From $52,290
Wagon
Petrol
Petrol
202kW
8.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
492L
Volvo V90 Cross Country
Price TBC
Wagon
Diesel
—
173kW
5.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Volvo V90 Cross Country: we're still completing price, kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and warranty, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the Subaru WRX Sportswagon & Volvo V90 Cross Country
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo V90 Cross Country. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon uses a Petrol producing 202kW and 350Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.
The Volvo V90 Cross Country lines up making 173kW and 480Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels.
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon has the clear power advantage at 202kW vs 173kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon measures 4,755mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 184mm shorter than the Volvo V90 Cross Country at 4,939mm (2,941mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo V90 Cross Country generally means more rear legroom.
For towing, the Volvo V90 Cross Country leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 1,500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.6m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,423/year for the Subaru WRX Sportswagon and $1,625/year for the Volvo V90 Cross Country. That is a $798 annual difference in favour of the Volvo V90 Cross Country.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru WRX Sportswagon if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volvo V90 Cross Country if: You want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Volvo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (57 vs 44), taking 1 of 3 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: safety (Subaru WRX Sportswagon ahead by 27), fuel economy (Volvo V90 Cross Country ahead by 26), technology (Subaru WRX Sportswagon ahead by 25). The Volvo V90 Cross Country will save you roughly $798 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru WRX Sportswagon and Volvo V90 Cross Country?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon is the cheapest at $52,290 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volvo V90 Cross Country uses the least fuel at 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Subaru WRX Sportswagon and Volvo V90 Cross Country carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo V90 Cross Country has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru WRX Sportswagon makes the most power at 202kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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