2015.5 Volvo V60 Cross Country wagon review

Volvo wagons are a familiar sight near our Connecticut auto test track. From remarkably preserved 145 “bricks” to the modern-era V60, there’s a distinct feeling that Volvos are the official vehicle of the Northeastern landed gentry. But wagons haven’t been cool in a while. Many automakers—Volvo included—have elevated the ride height of their five-door vehicles into something vaguely resembling an SUV but without the off-road chops. Here we test Volvo’s latest mutation, the V60 Cross Country. (Video above showcases the V60. The extended V60 CC road test video is available on the model page.)

Volvo V60 Cross Country

Volvo’s latest attempt to persuade Americans to embrace wagons is the SUV-ified V60 Cross Country. But it satisfies neither as a wagon nor as an SUV, which makes it a tough sell next to the brand’s proper SUVs.

Sized for dual-income-no-kids couples, the V60 CC comes with a snug rear seat and modest cargo area. We usually like the feel and sprawl of Volvo interiors, but the packaging wizards at Gothenburg headquarters must have taken the afternoon off when they got this assignment. For all of its exterior size, it just feels small inside.

This metrosexual wagon scrimps on leg room and head room in the backseat; a tall teenager will be squished sitting behind an average-sized adult. Those with families and accoutrements should probably pick the XC60 SUV instead. Also, driver visibility isn’t good, suffering for style, with small side and rear windows crimping the view.

That said, the Volvo’s cabin feels like a luxury car. The fit and finish of the interior materials have the expected upscale feel; the leather feels sourced from coddled cows.

Our V60 CC came with Volvo’s familiar 2.5-liter, turbocharged five-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed automatic. The engine thrums with power and delivers a decent punch. Its 21 mpg in our tests places it smack in the middle of the wagon pack. For fashion’s sake or the occasional muddy trail in Vermont, the V60 CC boasts an additional 2.6 inches of ride height over its V60 wagon cousin.

Like most Volvos, the V60 CC suffers from a stiff ride, transmitting road imperfections harshly to occupants’ kidneys and bladders. That discomfort happens despite Volvo’s excellent record of building firm yet supple seats—which in this case suffered from a paucity of lumbar support.

For a brand that focuses on safety, we were surprised by the V60 CC’s tail-wagging nature in our avoidance-maneuver test. Although it ably navigates sudden suburban obstacles—such as a wayward bouncing ball—you don’t feel confident that the Volvo will accomplish its task when you have to swerve. Meandering curvy country roads, the Volvo isn’t as athletic as its most direct competitor, the Audi Allroad. Nor is the Cross Country as fun to drive as its regular wagon rendition.

Another odd shortcoming: the headlights. We found their low-beam illumination distance too short for a driver to react to sudden changes in road conditions. You could drive with the high beams on all the time, but that would mean blinding oncoming drivers. We gave the V60 CC’s headlights our lowest rating.

Base models are stocked with luxury equipment including navigation, a moonroof, and leather seats and surfaces. But given Volvo’s safety reputation, it’s shocking that a backup camera comes in an expensive package and that you can’t get a power liftgate.

The audio and climate controls have an interface with lots of buttons. The layout is busy, and not all functions are initially obvious, but the confusion ebbs once you live with the car for a while. You navigate the various onscreen menus with a not-so-handy control knob that feels out of date.

This wagon doesn’t reward with space for people or gear, and the driving experience is unfulfilling. It earned one of the lowest scores in our wagon Ratings. For the same price, you can buy many roomier and better offerings. Sometimes you don’t get what you pay for.

Read our complete Volvo V60 Cross Country road test.

Highs
Ride, rear visibility, tight rear seat and cargo area, value equation, headlights
250-hp, 2.5-liter 5-cyl. turbo; 6-speed automatic; all-wheel drive
21 mpg
$36,890-$49,740

This article also appeared in the September 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

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