2024 Volvo V60 / V60 Cross Country
Overview
Station wagons are a great antidote to the common SUV, often providing better fuel economy and more pleasant driving dynamics than today’s crossovers. They also have their own unique sense of style, which we love. Volvo makes some of the best—and only—wagons available today, and the V60 and V60 Cross Country serve as the entry-level models in the Swedish automaker’s long-roof lineup. They slot below the larger V90 Cross Country wagon and offer the same Scandinavian style and luxurious interior trimmings as other Volvo models. Two V60 versions are available: the Cross Country, which has a lifted ride height and SUV-esque styling cues; and the Polestar Engineered, a performance-oriented plug-in hybrid. We like the Cross Country for its comfortable ride and the Polestar hybrid for its impressive powertrain and sharp handling.
What’s New for 2024?
Volvo has replaced the Black Stone exterior paint choice with Vapour Gray metallic, and an air purifier and a power liftgate are now standard equipment. You also no longer have to pay extra for the metallic paint choices.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’re partial to the racier Recharge T8 Polestar Engineered model, which forgoes the Cross Country’s lifted suspension and SUV styling cues for a more performance-oriented look. Its ride is on the stiff side, but that’s a compromise we’re willing to make for the T8 powertrain’s extra power and electric-only driving mode. If the Polestar’s performance isn’t for you, we won’t judge you for opting for the Cross Country. They’re both good choices.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Cross Country model is powered by a 247-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and comes with all-wheel drive. When we tested the V60 Cross Country, we recorded a 60-mph time of 7.1 seconds. As long as you’re not pushing it too hard, the V60 Cross Country feels agile and responsive through corners. The souped-up Recharge T8 Polestar comes with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain that pairs a turbo-and-supercharged four-cylinder with electric motors for a total of 455 horsepower. It also comes standard with all-wheel drive. This arrangement makes it far quicker than the Cross Country model, as the previous 415-hp version leaped to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds in our testing. Volvo has since upgraded that powertrain for an extra 40 hp so we think the new version will be quicker still, and we look forward to testing it when we get the chance. The Recharge T8 Polestar also comes with a manually adjustable suspension—something driving enthusiasts might think is cool—so the owner can dial in the car’s riding behavior to their preference.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Cross Country model earns ratings of 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined. Despite being the lineup’s performance-oriented model, the V60 Recharge T8 Polestar’s plug-in-hybrid powertrain is fairly efficient, earning a fuel-economy rating of 74 MPGe, or 31 mpg combined when operating in hybrid mode, with up to 41 miles of claimed electric-only driving range. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route, a V60 Cross Country B5 achieved 29 mpg. For more information about the V60’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Volvo designs some great interiors, and the V60’s cabin is similar to the posh environs in the S60 sedan and the XC60 SUV. The wagon’s cabin is spacious, the seats are comfortable, and the design is undeniably upscale. But Volvo’s minimalist approach means that many controls are hidden away inside the infotainment screen. Nice materials such as metal trim, real wood, and soft leather make the interior look and feel more expensive than it is. Cargo capacity is great, too, something we expect from a station wagon. In our testing, we fit eight carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and a total of 22 with the seats folded. For reference, the Audi A4 Allroad fit two fewer carry-ons in both tests.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The V60 and V60 Cross Country come standard with Volvo’s Google-based infotainment system. The new interface runs on the same vertically oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen as the old Sensus Connect system, but it responds to inputs more quickly. However, it’s not flawless, as the interface features on-screen icons that are too small for easy use while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is Bluetooth connectivity and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot powered by a 4G LTE data connection.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Volvo’s safety-focused ethos means driver-assistance features such as lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking, and other collision-avoidance technologies are standard. For more information about the V60’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volvo’s standard protection plan doesn’t break from the luxury-brand norm, offering four years or 50,000 miles for both powertrain and limited warranty coverage, but it does add some value in the form of a three-year complimentary scheduled maintenance plan.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 milesArrow pointing downArrow pointing down
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country B5 AWD Ultimate
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $55,195/$63,585
Options: 20-inch 7-spoke wheels w/all-season tires, $3200; Bowers & Wilkins premium sound, $3200; climate package – (heated rear seats, heater steering wheel, headlamp cleaners), $750; metallic paint, $695; luggage cover, $345; power-operated tailgate, $200
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 120 in3, 1969 cm3
Power: 247 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/12.6-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero All Season
245/40R-20 99V Extra Load VOL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.2 in
Length: 188.5 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 59.2 in
Passenger Volume: 94 ft3
Cargo Volume: 23 ft3
Curb Weight: 4151 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.4 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 460 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 26/23/30 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Feature and Specs
