WASHINGTON — When you hear the name Volvo, you think of a safe vehicle, but in the past it wasn’t the most exciting car to look at. The wagons were pretty much rectangles with wheels. But the midsize V60 Cross Country has some of the best styling I have seen on a Volvo wagon, and the added ground clearance even gives a bit of a crossover vibe.
I guess “station wagon” still isn’t cool, but Volvo is trying to change the image — I say it looks good. With a starting price of $41,000 and my loaded tester at around $49,000, the Volvo can be a cheaper alternative to a more traditional crossover.
The Volvo V60 T5 AWD Cross Country is long name for a new vehicle for the brand. Think of it as a luxury version of the venerable Outback, and you get the idea of what the V60 Cross Country is trying to be. The styling does stand out, and in a good way, unless you think the old 240 wagon of the 1980s is the best-looking Volvo ever made. The V60 looks sleek and more rounded, but you still know it’s a Volvo with a more aerodynamic and modern look than in the past.
The V60 Cross Country sits higher than the regular V60 wagon and has a more rugged look. The standard AWD system helps with traction and maybe some off-road capability more than some crossovers, and much more than a basic wagon.
The interior is upscale, with nice, rich-looking materials and real wood inlays. It’s more reserved than flashy. Things are easy to use and find. The front and rear seats are heated and the seats upfront are the most comfortable and supportive seats I have sat in in a long time. The back seats are comfortable, but passengers with longer legs might wish for a bit more space. There is plenty of headroom.
My test car was equipped with the Platinum trim, which comes with a nice-sounding Harmon Kardon sound system, rearview camera and Adaptive Cruise Control with full auto braking. It also has pedestrian and bicycle detection with auto stop if it suspects an impact, and lane departure warning. Road sign information pops up on the dash, which is a nice convenience, especially in bad weather or when driving someplace new. The center screen is only 7 inches, so it’s not the largest out there, but it’s easy to see. The climate control system is also easy to use.
The Volvo Cross Country comes with a five-cylinder turbo charged engine with a decent 250 hp. It moves the V60 pretty well; the six-speed automatic does a nice job of keeping it in the power and shifts smoothly when cruising along.
Driving the new Cross Country was a much better experience than I thought it would be. It handles very well for a tall wagon and there is plenty of power on tap to merge with traffic or pass safely. Fuel economy for my week of driving ended up at 22.8 mpg. The sticker says 20 city, 28 highway and a combined 23 mpg. This Volvo uses regular fuel.
The 2015.5 Volvo V60 T5 Cross Country is a year-round luxury wagon with standout looks. With the taller ride height, it’s more like a crossover to appeal to a larger buying audience that’s looking for a capable and safe vehicle with the Volvo name.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI , FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
